Just released by Parmigiani is the new Tonda PF collection, a fresh take on the brand’s sport watch collection and the first brainchild of its new CEO, Guido Terreni. The Tonda PF collection is landing with four variations: a simple time and date micro-rotor model; a chronograph; an annual calendar; and solid platinum Split Seconds Chronograph that is a limited edition of 25.
Mr. Terreni brings a cleaner and more contemporary design to the brand, which he joined off the heels of Bulgari, where he was behind the massively successful Octo Finissimo. Parmigiani, one of my personal favorite brands, will no doubt benefit from this new perspective and direction if the Tonda PF collection is an indication of where things are going. While I haven’t seen these pieces in the metal yet, I am intrigued by touches like the new PF logo at 12 o’clock (especially against those grain d’Orge guilloché dials!). Terreni clearly has an appreciation for what Michel Parmigiani has created, and this shows itself in several ways, including the fact that he has elevated the knurled bezels to the point that even the steel models have platinum bezels.
The new Tonda PF Micro-Rotor is the entry-level watch in the new collection, outfitted with an updated version of the brand’s renowned micro-rotor movement. This new PF703 movement has a full platinum micro-rotor that is integrated into the movement, operates at 21,600 vph, and has a 48-hour power reserve. The slimness of this micro-rotor movement allows for the 40mm case to be just 7.8mm-thick, which is remarkably thin even compared to something like the very-slim Nautilus (which clocks in at 8.3mm-thick). Also, the 100m of water resistance should suffice for most situations other than serious dives.
The Tonda PF Micro-Rotor comes in either steel or rose gold, both with a gray grain d’Orge guilloché dial. Worth noting is that all the steel models in the Tonda PF collection have bezels that are done in platinum, while the gold models have them in matching gold. The hand-knurled bezel is a signature Parmigiani flourish, and it’s nice to see the steel models get the precious metal treatment as well.
The Tonda PF Chronograph measures 42mm-wide and 12.4mm-thick with 100m of water resistance. Available in steel or rose gold, both with a blue grain d’Orge guilloché dial that looks absolutely stunning, the new cleaner look absolutely works here, and I appreciate that all of the Tonda PF watches have date windows that match the dial.
The PF070 movement is an integrated column-wheel chronograph that operates at the high frequency of 36,000 vph and has a 65-hour power reserve. You’ll notice the new 22k open-worked rotor with PF logo which is also used in the annual calendar model.
The Tonda PF Annual Calendar totally refreshes the brand’s take on the complication and, once again, I find the result to be cleaner and more contemporary. The retrograde date display looks pretty great, as does the moonphase display, and I’m very drawn to the typography and font used throughout the dial and subdials.
The Annual Calendar comes in a 42mm-wide, 11.1mm-thick case that has 100m of water resistance. It uses the PF339 movement, which operates at 28,800 vph and has a 50-hour power reserve. You’ll also note that it has the new open-worked 22k rotor that’s also seen in the chronograph.
Finally, there is the Tonda PF Split Seconds Chronograph that is limited to 25 pieces in honor of the brand’s 25th anniversary. Measuring 42mm-wide and 15mm-thick, the case and bracelet are entirely done in platinum. If that weren’t enough, the sandblasted dial is also entirely platinum, as well. The Tonda PF Split Seconds Chronograph also unveils a new version of Parmigiani’s Chronor movement with the PF361. An integrated split-seconds chronograph with mainplate and bridges done in solid 18k rose gold and hand-finishing throughout, this movement is an absolute stunner.
I can’t wait to see the new Tonda PF collection in the metal, but it’s fair to say that Mr. Terreni has a keen understanding of what makes the brand great while making simple but substantial changes. The Parmigiani Tonda PF Micro-Rotor is priced at $22,900 in steel and $53,900 in rose gold, the Tonda PF Chronograph is priced at $31,000 in steel and $69,700 in rose gold, the Tonda PF Annual Calendar is priced at $38,700 in steel and $77,500 in rose gold, and the limited edition of 25 Tonda PF Split Seconds Chronograph is priced at $171,600. You can learn more at parmigianiamericas.com.
