Parmigiani Fleurier is an independent brand that has, in recent years, gained its status as an underdog in the world of watchmaking. They occupy a very interesting space within the world of Swiss watch brands. In my mind, Parmigiani Fleurier is a “more than meets the eye” kind of manufacturer. In other words, ‘understatement’ is their design mantra. They are also a brand that draws most of its watchmaking expertise from the art of restoration. For that reason, Parmigiani Fleurier is not a brand you typically hear watch collectors often rave about, but what makes the manufacture so special is the fact they have produced some absolutely stunning watches over the past two decades.
Pure lines, a refined case profile, ergonomically-correct proportions, a classic-looking appearance with an understated aesthetic - these are the physical attributes that ultimately make up the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda collection. Today, we present the Tonda PF Silver Sand in a 36mm size, and it holds a special place among my list of preferred "understated luxury" watches. What captivates me is how it flawlessly captures the essence and design philosophy of Parmigiani Fleurier while maintaining a subtle and unassuming look. Despite its discreet appearance, this timepiece manages to earn the admiration of even the most discerning collectors and enthusiasts.
Beginning with its elegant 36mm stainless steel case, the Tonda PF is small enough to appear flat when viewed from a distance, but upon closer inspection, one could easily tell that there is more to this than meets the eye. It exhibits many of the distinct stylistic elements that Parmigiani Fleurier had so deftly established for its predecessors: a meticulously hand-knurled bezel, seamless tear-drop lugs, and in this case, a well-made integrated bracelet with alternating finishing on the links that catches the light wonderfully.
Moving over to the dial, you will find an oval ‘PF’ cartouche at 12 o ‘clock, a set of open-worked hands, as well as a refined hand-guilloché grain d’orge (barleycorn) motif on the dial – which is, one of the finest forms of guilloché finishing in modern watchmaking today.
Breathing life into this Tonda PF is Parmigiani Fleurier’s new in-house, 179-part, 29-jeweled, self-winding Cal. PF 770 beating away methodically at 28,800 vph. It features impeccable Côtes de Genève finishing and bevelling on its bridges as well as a beautifully skeletonized 22-carat gold oscillating rotor when viewed from the exhibition caseback. Furthermore, this Tonda PF is also endowed with a respectable power reserve of 60-hours.
I cannot stress enough how genuinely impressed I am with the impeccable fit and comfort of the Tonda PF. As depicted in the photographs, the Tonda PF effortlessly complements my wrist, exuding a sense of perfect harmony. The meticulous fusion of subtle design elements beautifully highlights the exceptional craftsmanship and technical mastery of Parmigiani Fleurier. It is truly a sight to behold when examined up close, revealing a timepiece that has the power to astonish anyone, despite its understated and refined aesthetics.
In my opinion, the Tonda PF collection is overall a very interesting collection because it represents the essence of Parmigiani Fleurier’s styling and design ethos. Watches from this collection are generally quite refined, slender, ergonomic, and balanced in design. There is a very subtle touch of softness on the watch that is very pleasing to see and feel, which I think contributes to how well it wears on the wrist and slides under the cuff. It goes on to show the level of attention to detail by Parmigiani Fleurier although this is in essence, a mere time-only watch. For all of the reasons I have elaborated above, this particular Tonda PF Silver Sand right here is, in my mind, a compelling masterpiece of a modern sport watch that can effortlessly complement any collector’s watch box and daily rotation.
