Independents

This is a quick intro to the Parmigiani Toric Quantième Perpetuel Retrograde, Ref. PF002645.

While I am fond of simple time-only watches, the perpetual calendar is one of my favorite complications. To me, it signifies eternity or infinity - man's desire to look into the future - like no other complication. On the QPR, the date is displayed by a retrograde hand, adding another nice feature to the perpetual complication.

The Toric QPR was made in white gold and pink gold, with silver, grey and black dials to complement it. The case has the fluted bezel typical of the Toric series. It measures 40mm, and is slightly thicker than the Toric Automatic time-date model. I love the Javelin-style hands (blued steel for hours&minutes, white gold for seconds&date) and the suble concentric guilloche work on the dial. I also really like the way calender information is displayed. If I'm being very picky, I would have prefered the month display showing an abreviation (ie "Apr") instead of the simple "4".

On the wrist, the watch sits very comfy and has a great visual presence, without ever being loud or ostentatious.

Inside ticks Cal PF333, which was developed by Parmigiani around 2004. It's an automatic QP calibre, beating at 28800 vph with a power reserve of 55 hours. One of the special features is the so-called "lune de précision" (precision moon). This reduces the gap between the actual moon cycle (29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2,8 seconds)  and the moon cycle habitually used in horological calculations (29 days and 12 hours). The additional "lune de précision" wheel train reduces the gap between the two, making an adjustment necessary only once every 122 years.

Nice finishing on the movement, guilloche 22k pink gold rotor.

In my current collection, the Toric QPR has a special place. A very balanced watch in a classic case with great proportions, very nicely finished movement, and obviously the perpetual calendar with retrograde date. I don't wear colored gold watches very often, but I find the combination with the restrained light-grey dial very attractive. It may be my most elegant watch. Whenever I put it on my wrist, I have a smile on my face.

Best,

Daniel

  login to reply