New Release
Patrick_y introduces the Parmigiani Fleurier Tondagraphe GT Annual Calendar and Chronograph, a timepiece that marks a significant expansion into more accessible luxury for the ultra-haute-horlogerie brand. His initial review highlights Parmigiani Fleurier's commitment to in-house manufacture movements and exquisite finishing, even in its newer, more attainably priced offerings. This article delves into the Tondagraphe GT's design, complications, and the community's first impressions, building on patrick_y's expert foundation.
Introducing: The Parmigiani Fleurier Tondagraphe GT Annual Calendar and Chronograph Timepiece
Parmigiani Fleurier is a top quality Swiss watch producer
with in-house manufacture movements that are decorated to the highest
quality. Originally a ultra-haute-horlogerie
brand that at one point only tackled the most difficult projects like
automatons, minute repeaters, and restoring historical timepieces (for the
Patek Philippe Museum among other big institutional clients), it is a true
pleasure to see Parmigiani Fluerier now expand its line of more accessible
timepieces.
I reviewed the Parmigiani Fluerier Tonda 1950 timepiece and declared it the best value of SIHH 2017. It was a great watch with excellent movement finishing, a micro rotor automatic, and the strap even featured a very clever depoyment clasp, and all of this was offered at an incredible price! Read the review here:
But while these recent pieces have very reasonable prices, it’s not at the expense of quality, for they still exhibit excellent movement finishing, in-house manufacture movements, and superb overall craftsmanship.
The latest model is the Tondagraphe GT, which is a combination of an annual calendar and a chronograph. The annual calendar features a big date display, courtesy of two small discs 0-3 and 0-9 for the numerals ensuring more legible reading of the date than on a single large disc with dates 1 to 31 typed out.
The watch is generously sized at 42mm in diameter, but appears smaller than its statistics suggest due to the way the bracelet and lugs are cleverly integrated into the case. With the wide strap or bracelet, the width will distribute the weight of the watch evenly allowing for comfortable wear in sporty conditions. The case of the watch is a true athlete and isn’t filled with false sporting pretenses; it has a screw-down crown and water resistance to 100 meters!
The PF043 automatic movement can run a small marathon with its 45-hour power reserve. It’s a very complicated movement, 443 individual pieces including 56 jewels are expertly put into a space that’s only 7.3mm high. The movement is shown in full view on the posterior of the timepiece. The dial side features an annual calendar with date and month displays in orange. The 3 o’clock subdial is the running seconds for the watch; 6 o’clock is the 12 hour totalizer for the chronograph; and the 9 o’clock subdial is the 30-minute totaliser for the chronograph.
At a very attractive price of $19,500 in the bracelet variant ($18,500 for the rubber strap variant) this timepiece will be in demand. But one should act quickly, as only 200 pieces exist. I’m not sure if it’s 200 pieces for both the strap and the bracelet variant, or combined, but in either case, it’s a small amount!
In addition to the Tondagraphe GT Annual Calendar Chronograph, there are time and date models. Pictures are below.
I have always had a soft spot for Parmigiani and will make sure to see this one in the real world. These are my observations based on the pictures alone: - Bracelet and how it joins the case is now similar to the ALS Odysseus and the Zenith Defy Classic, creating a pseudo integrated look - Fluted bezel reminds me more of the Rolex Datejust than of Parmigiani's own Toric - Indexes look like the ones on the old IWC Ingenieur 3239 - Dial guillochage is very similar to the VC Overseas generation 2 a
Design-wise the thing on the dial I'd change is the unnecessary 'Month' text label for the month indication - which also now necessitates having the seconds track in two concentric half circles. In fact I'd get rid of the 'Annual Calendar' and 'Chronograph' lines from the hours sub-dial at 6 o'clock and move the month indication (without the 'Months' label) there. But these personal opinions and hardly deal-breakers if one otherwise likes the watch. Would be interesting to see close-ups of the m
A very nice offering, I need to see the dial finishing in person. Agree about removing excess wording on the dial.
I wish the chronograph didn't have the wording "Annual Calendar Chronograph" on the dial. I also would say the power reserve is a little skimpy at 45 hours, but that's a nitpick. Overall, it's a winner. Thank you Patrick. M4
Gosh I hate to admit it, but that is a deal breaker for me. I would not buy it based upon that detail. Shame, because I might have asked our favorite dealer about it otherwise. I'm sure Parmigiani will have no trouble selling 200 pieces. Really diminishes the other orange detailing as well, that is a pity.
The size on the other way bothers me again. Maybe I should get more progressive towards sizing.
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