As the dust settles on SIHH 2014, and the excitement begins on BaselWorld 2014, we look back at our notes on the highlights from Geneva, and noted that we seemed to have missed this gem. The Parmigiani Tonda 39 Qualité Fleurier.
And apparently, many others have missed featuring this watch as well. A quick search on google came up with no hits for this watch. Even the Parmigiani’s own official website lacks information. But the Deployant team noticed this gem during our shoots at the Parmigiani Booth in Geneva, and we take pleasure to show the Parmigiani Tonda 39 Qualité Fleurier Chronometre. The watch comes with a beautiful white dial, limited to 50 pieces only in red gold. This is a model of elegance, simple dial, with a cutout at 6 o’clock to show the date.
The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 39 Qualitie Fleurier, limited edition of 50 pieces in red gold only.
The movement is also pure Parmigiani. Built and finished to Qualité Fleurier standards, the Caliber PF331 has a power reserve of 55 hours, with automatic winding with a 22 ct gold rotor. The movement beats at 28,800 bph on a series coupled twin barrel, with 32 jewels and 220 components.
Calibre:PF331, Power reserve: 55 hours. Winding: Automatic, Dimensions: 11 ½”’ – Ø 25.6 mm. Thickness: 3.5 mm mm. Frequency: 4 Hz – 28’800 A/h. Barrel(s): 2 series-coupled barrels. Jewels: 32. Components: 220. Decoration: “Côtes de Genève” , bevelled bridges.
Parmigiani remains one of the secrets of the haute horology industry, with full manufacturing capabilities of the entire value chain. This is provided by the Parmigiani Group, comprising of Atokalpa for escapements, Elwin for the small components and parts, Quadrance for dials, Les Artisans Boîtiers for watch cases, and Vaucher for movements. The group enables Parmigiani to be almost totally independent from suppliers. The only major components supplied by third parties are the dial appliques and hands.
As a note, only Parmigiani striking watches use ebauches which are not manufactured in-house. These are rebuilt, finished and tuned from base movements supplied by Renaud et Papi and Christophe Clarer.
Finishing is exquisite, all the bridges have fauss cotes decoration and the anglage is well done, smooth even, shining.
Beautiful timepiece, but one which, in our view is under-rated and not often talked about by the collector community. We had to feature it as we think there is tremendous merit. What do you think? Does Parmigiani deserve more talk time from collectors?
Housed in a case measuring 39mm diameter and a thickness of 8.5mm, the watch exudes a quiet elegance, not unusual of Parmigiani creations.
