Parmigiani Toric Chronograph Blue Abyss

Origin

The origin of Parmigiani Fleurier begins with its founder Michel Parmigiani 20 years before the watch brand was founded. During the 1970s, Parmigiani established himself as a prolific horological restoration specialist at a time when an air of uncertainty encompassed the mechanical watchmaking scene powered by quartz watches. Parmigiani's response was to scale down and specialise his skills; such talents became desirable to Patek Philippe, Breguet, Vacheron, and the Sandoz Family Foundation. This foundation just so happened to own arguably the most significant collection of pocket watches automatons ever curated, and Parmigiani was tasked with preserving it. This relationship was fruitful, as the foundation's emotional and financial backing led Parmigiani to establish his watch brand in 1996 out of the Swiss district of Fleurier. The intention was to channel Parmigiani's restoration skills and understanding of traditional, historically noteworthy techniques to act as a guiding source for fresh, contemporary creations. Parmigiani Fleurier was born.

The first model was released three years after its foundation, marking the beginning of the Toric's illustrious standing in the collection. This wristwatch was extremely classic in its intentions, with case nuances inspired by Greek columns and an overall aesthetic alert to the guiding principles of the golden ratio. Today, the Toric continues to be a strong staple of the brand's line-up since its inauguration. Many complications have appeared in the Toric's recognisable case with its hand-knurled bezels and welded lugs, including the Toric Chronograph. Debuted in the early 2000s, this complicated creation fuses remarkably longstanding techniques with a somewhat quirky and individual style, perhaps best embodied by its 1:30 date aperture. The Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph also has a prolific connection to royalty, with none other than King Charles III being spotted over the years wearing a gold example with a silver guilloché dial from his personal collection.

The Watch

This Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph reference PF002710 is emblematic of Parmigiani's concept for the brand, representing a fusion of refined traditionality with elements of modernity. Take its case, for example, measuring 39,5 mm in width and presented in white gold, this contemporary-sized format is defined by classic characteristics. From its hand-knurled bezel, prominent welded lugs, beautifully stepped flat chronograph pushers, hand finishing, and pocket-watch-esque rounded case band, this exterior is rooted in ancestral methods. This ideology is clear externally, but it is perhaps the most profoundly obvious when appreciating its dial.

Presenting in a deep blue abyss colour, the dial directs the personality of the entire piece with its youthful and casual tone, a feeling further enhanced by the applied white gold numerals. Said numerals are Breguet in style with a softer, more casual execution than other Breguet numerals. This font is mirrored within the instantly identifiable and somewhat quirky 1:30 white date aperture. Also presented in white gold are the hands of this piece, including the elegant solid javelin hour and minute hands, chronograph hand with crescent moon-shaped counterbalance, and three-needle subsidiary register hands within their tri-compax layout. Notably, the hour and minute hand carry a satin grey finish for additional contrast from the remaining polishing. The minute graduation scale on the peripheral rehaut is subtly grained in texture, which, when combined with the concentric circles of the sub-registers, contributes significantly to the dial's legibility. A horizontal oval white gold ring houses the Parmigiani Fleurier brand signature completing this bold, clean, and clarity-rich chronograph from a neo-vintage watchmaker who is starting to gain the attention with its earlier models it certainly deserves.

The Movement

Powering this Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph PF002710 is the Calibre 190, boasting 50 hours of running autonomy, a high-beat rate of 36,000 vph, and 31 jewels. Combined with its unconventional date position, you may recognise this as a Zenith calibre and its formidable El Primero. At its core, this 190 Calibre is a modified Zenith 400z movement with Parmigiani injecting their own traditional partiality. This column wheel movement with lateral clutch is powered by a significant gold rotor with elaborate guilloché and a 'PF' signature. It's worth mentioning that although Parmigiani Fleurier eventually established a fully vertical integrated 'watchmaking centre' with true and accurate in-house manufacturing capacity, this piece and its Zenith movement date from before this was up and running.

How It Wears

As hinted, this Toric Chronograph is an amalgamation of centuries-old executions and elements with contemporary styling, and this is best observed when considering the piece's dimensions. At 39,5 mm in breadth and with a lug-to-lug length pushed to the max thanks to its lugs, this piece certainly has a presence on the wrist. Its soft blue dial colour playfully matches the whimsicality of well-loved Italic numerals to give off a relaxed personality suited to the full spectrum of outfits. Timepieces are often always about the unique approach and interpretation of balance, and this Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph PF002710 delivers with its straightforward yet effective formula.

Condition

The Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph PF002710 is presented in very good condition and is offered complete as a full set, sold in 2007. Also included are the original Parmigiani Fleurier strap and its lovely white gold buckle with guilloché pattern. 

If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment. We are based in Ghent, Belgium

[Email address suppressed for privacy] - 0032456135537 - www.mrwatchley.com m