Parmigiani had two new wristwatch models for 2011. The simpler of the two is the Tonda 1950, an ultra-slim automatic in gold, with 1950 being the year of Michel Parmigiani’s birth. At 39 mm and 7.8 mm high, this is a slim and elegant watch.
Inside sits the PF 700, Parmigiani’s twelfth in-house calibre. At 13 ¼ ’’’ and 2.6 mm thick, the movement is wide but slim. It features a single barrel, microrotor and adjustable mass balance.
As with all Parmigiani calibres the level of movement decoration is superb. The striping, anglage, perlage, screws and jewel holes are all executed at a very high level.
Parmigiani is one of the most integrated independent groups in Switzerland, thanks to the deep pockets of the Sandoz foundation which owns it. Vaucher is the movement maker of the group, and this PF700 calibre is also known as the Vaucher 5300 which is also in the round Richard Mille you can see in the part on RM further down. Vaucher now provides movements to Hermes and Bovet as well, and might possibly turn up in more brands in the future.
The other new wristwatch is at the other end of the price and design spectrum – the Bugatti Super Sport. Inspired by the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, the 1200 bhp monster that is possibly the fastest road car in the world, the Super Sport watch is the second Bugatti watch made by Parmigiani.
Whereas the original Bugatti watch had a traverse axis with the gears and dial stacked in a column, the Super Sport features hands that are set perpendicular to the movement. But like the original the Super Sport is easily readable while gripping a steering wheel. At the 400 km/h the Bugatti Veyron is capable of this is a fairly convenient feature I would think.
This watch also features what Parmigiani calls a dynamometric crown – nudge it slightly inwards and it pops out to allow setting of the time.
On the top of the watch sits the 10 day power reserve indicator as well as the escapement.
Visible from the sapphire windows on the side of the case – this watch has six sapphire crystals – is the barrel and gear train. These are actually adopted from the first Parmigiani Bugatti and are likewise stacked in a column.
Also impressive is the sleek case, made by Les Artisans Boîtiers, Parmigiani’s casemaking sister company. Inspired by the wing of the Bugatti, the case is a massive, complex shape. It has pivoted lugs on the front which allow it to sit fairly well on the wrist.
- SJX
This message has been edited by SJX on 2011-01-30 09:00:54 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2011-01-30 16:20:38