In 2021, Parmigiani Fleurier unveiled a refreshed Tonda line — pared-down, polished, and primed for the future. Four new models kicked off the collection: a chronograph, a split-seconds chronograph, an annual calendar, and the simplest of the bunch in the form of a time-and-date Tonda PF Micro-Rotor. Things have gotten even simpler for the range with the introduction of a new Tonda PF Micro-Rotor watch sans date window. Dressed with a snazzy new Golden Siena dial and fitted with a platinum bezel, I had a chance to go hands-on with the new Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Micro-Rotor No Date watch.
The dial includes the same grain d’orge (French for barley) hand-guilloché pattern found on other Tonda PF models, but this time rendered in a lovely Golden Siena shade. Depending on the lighting, the dial can transform from honey-tinged toast to a pale caramel — both sweet and delicious. I find the color to be quite attractive. It’s neutral and subtle enough to pair with essentially anything you have on, yet far from boring. I wouldn’t call it a true salmon dial, more salmon-adjacent.
Yes, there’s plenty of negative space on the dial too, allowing that color to really shine through. Between the skeletonized hands, petite hour markers, reasonably sized PF logo, and lack of any text (aside from the minuscule “Swiss Made” tucked away below six o’clock) or date aperture, this is an exercise in restraint. I’ve heard others complain that it looks like the face of the watch is “missing something,” but I disagree. The color and texture of the dial, paired with the glistening polished delta hands, indices, and logo proved to be satisfying to my eye. The hand-applied 18k gold rhodium-plated indices straddle across the sunken minutes/seconds scale around the periphery and the main guillochéd plate. I don’t subscribe to the idea a dial has to be jam-packed to be striking. I find that it’s the small yet thoughtful details that give it personality.
In terms of proportions, the platinum Tonda PF Micro-Rotor measures 40.0mm in diameter, 45.6mm lug-to-lug, and 7.8mm thick. On my barely 6-inch wrist, the stainless steel case fits comfortably and lays beautifully flat thanks to its svelte profile. It’s a touch wider and larger than I’d normally think would suit me but I was pleasantly surprised by how it looked and felt on. The crown is on the smaller side, avoiding the risk of any uncomfortable digging. While I didn’t dare take this piece for a prolonged plunge, the case is rated to 100 meters of water resistance, a must for modern sports watches de luxe in my opinion.
Aided by tear-drop lugs, the integrated steel bracelet was also a pleasure to wear, wrapping around the wrist precisely where it needed to. The brushed and polished surfaces play nicely with each other and the knurled bezel in platinum adds another touch of visual interest. It’s clear that the tear-drop lugs weren’t an afterthought; the way they reach up well into the case territory and hug the sides works really well from a design point of view — almost like a pair of hands holding up the case as if to say “see how cool this is.” The two sides of the bracelet meet at the super-easy-to-use double push-button clasp, decorated with the oval PF logo.
The back of the watch offers an expansive view of the in-house Caliber PF703, the same ultra-thin, micro-rotor-fitted automatic movement that drives the Tonda PF time and date watches. Given Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier’s reputation for making exquisite mechanical movements, it comes as no surprise that this one is a looker packed with all the decorative goodies like Côtes de Genève, perlage, and polished bevels, not to mention the decoration on the rotor that mimics the pattern on the dial. Caliber PF703 operates at 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz), supplies 48 hours of power reserve, and comprises 176 components and 29 jewels.
We all know that the steel integrated bracelet sports watch space is crowded but the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Micro Rotor No Date watch does an excellent job of making its mark. I couldn’t find any faults with this watch during my brief time with it and I think it achieved maximum impact with a minimalist approach. The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Micro-Rotor No Date watch (Ref. PFC914-1020021-100182) is priced at $25,300 USD. For more information, please visit the brand’s website.
