The company Parmigiani has just launched a new Tonda PF collection, representing a fresh outlook on the brand's sports watches and the first creation under its new CEO, Guido Terreni. The Tonda PF collection features four variations: a simple model with a micro-rotor indicating time and date, a chronograph, an annual calendar, and a massive platinum Split Seconds Chronograph, released as a limited edition of 25 pieces.
Mr. Terreni brings a cleaner and more modern design to the brand, which he joined after Bulgari, where he was instrumental in the success of the Octo Finissimo model. Parmigiani, one of my favorite brands, will undoubtedly benefit from this new perspective and direction if the Tonda PF collection is an indicator of where things are headed. Although I have not yet seen these watches in metal, I am intrigued by touches like the new PF logo at the “12 o'clock” position (especially against the guilloché d’Orge grain dials!). Terreni clearly values what Michel Parmigiani created, as evidenced by several aspects, including the fact that he elevated the knurled bezels to the extent that even the steel models have platinum bezels.
The new Tonda PF Micro-Rotor model is the entry-level watch in the new collection, equipped with an updated version of the brand's famous micro-rotor movement. The new PF703 movement features a fully platinum micro-rotor integrated into the mechanism, operates at a frequency of 21,600 vph, and has a 48-hour power reserve. Due to the thinness of the micro-rotor movement, the 40-millimeter case is only 7.8 mm thick, which is surprisingly slim even compared to thin watches like the Nautilus (which has a thickness of 8.3 mm). Additionally, the 100 m water resistance is sufficient for most situations except for serious diving.
The Tonda PF Micro-Rotor is available in a case made of steel or rose gold, both versions featuring a gray guilloché d’Orge grain dial. It is noteworthy that all steel models in the Tonda PF collection have platinum bezels, while the gold models have bezels made of the corresponding gold. The hand-knurled bezel is a signature feature of Parmigiani, and it's pleasing to see the steel models also receive precious metal treatment.
The Tonda PF Chronograph measures 42 mm wide and 12.4 mm thick, with a water resistance of 100 m. The watches are available in steel or rose gold cases, both with a blue guilloché d’Orge grain dial that looks absolutely stunning, and the new cleaner look works perfectly here. I appreciate that all Tonda PF watches have date windows matching the dial.
The PF070 movement is an integrated chronograph with a column wheel, operating at a high frequency of 36,000 vph and offering a 65-hour power reserve. You will notice a new 22-carat skeletonized rotor with the PF logo, also used in the annual calendar model.
The Tonda PF Annual Calendar model completely updates the brand's approach to this complication, and the result seems cleaner and more modern to me again. The retrograde date indicator looks simply magnificent, as does the moon phase indicator, and I really like the typography and font used on the dial and sub-dials.
The Annual Calendar watch is housed in a 42 mm wide and 11.1 mm thick case, with a water resistance of 100 m. It uses the PF339 movement with a frequency of 28,800 vph and a 50-hour power reserve. You will also notice that it features the new skeletonized 22-carat rotor, which is also used in the chronograph.
Finally, there is the Tonda PF Split Seconds Chronograph model, released as a limited edition of 25 pieces in honor of the brand's 25th anniversary. The watch's case and bracelet, measuring 42 mm wide and 15 mm thick, are entirely made of platinum. If that's not enough, the sandblasted dial is also entirely platinum. The Tonda PF Split Seconds Chronograph also features a new version of the Parmigiani Chronor movement with PF361. An integrated split-seconds chronograph with a platinum and bridges made from pure 18-carat rose gold, with hand-finishing throughout - this movement is simply breathtaking.
I can't wait to see the new Tonda PF collection in metal, but it can be confidently said that Mr. Terreni clearly understands what makes the brand great, making simple yet substantial changes.
The price of the Parmigiani Tonda PF Micro-Rotor is $22,900 in steel and $53,900 in rose gold, the price of the Tonda PF Chronograph is $31,000 in steel and $69,700 in rose gold, the price of the Tonda PF Annual Calendar is $38,700 in steel and $77,500 in rose gold, and the price of the limited edition of 25 pieces Tonda PF Split Seconds Chronograph is $171,600. More information can be found on parmigianiamericas.com.