Parmigiani Fleurier Tondagraphe, Now With Elegant Guilloche Dial

Presented in 2009, available in multiple editions including quite sporty ones, the Parmigiani Fleurier Tondagraphe combines two popular yet sophisticated complications. First is a one-minute tourbillon. Second is a chronograph, executed in the traditional way. PF is now releasing a new variation of the watch, in line with the brand’s recent models and with a focus on elegance, thanks to a sleek slate-coloured guilloché dial and a pink gold case. Clearly, the Tondagraphe has never looked so good. Let’s take a closer look.

Slate grey and rose gold is a combination that works particularly well for Parmigiani Fleurier. The brand has applied it to several of its models lately, including its signature Toric watch or the Tonda Lune. It is now the time for the Tondagraphe, with its complex Tourbillon and Chronograph movement, to benefit from the same, elegant colour scheme.

The superb slate colour dial is rich in fine detailing and stands out with its guilloché grain-de-riz (beads of rice) pattern. The contrast between the colour of the dial and the warm gold used for the case is striking. The one-minute tourbillon ticks at 6 o’clock under a superbly hand-polished bridge. The barrel bridge, visible a 12 o’clock, creates a symmetrical counterpoint and adds a technical feel. The display includes the hours, minutes with openwork delta-shaped hands, a small seconds with a double-sided hand, a chronograph with a 30-minute register and a crescent-shaped indication of the power reserve at 12 o’clock. Complex, full of details, yet very balanced.

Turning the watch over, the caseback is secured by 8 screws and a sapphire crystal offers an unimpeded view of the superb chronograph mechanism. The classic architecture includes a column wheel and horizontal clutch. As you have come to expect from Parmigiani Fleurier, the finishing is top-notch with bevelled bridges, Geneva stripes and perlage. The hand-wound calibre PF354 operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour with 65 hours of power reserve. This highly complicated movement is made of 298 components.

Like its predecessors, this new take on the Tondagraphe comes in the signature Parmigiani Tonda case standing out with its elongated drop-shaped lugs. The crown is flanked by two mushroom-type pushers. Presented in gleaming polished 18k pink gold, the watch wears smaller than the 43mm diameter would suggest thanks to the ergonomic, curved lugs.

The Parmigiani Fleurier Tondagraphe slate dial and pink gold is worn on an alligator leather strap made by Hermès with a gold pin buckle. It is priced at CHF 199,000. For more information, please visit www.parmigianifleurier.com.