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A very, no, let me correct myself - extremely nice watch
from a technical point of view, the only thing I do not understand is the very small balance wheel. For accuracy, the bigger the better. But by all means, is regulated well it really does not matter (just a grumpy old man’s view).
SIHH 2017: Parmigiani Fleurier’s Value Proposition a Tonda 1950 Steel Review
PuristSPro reviews the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 Steel. With a highly decorated movement, automatic with micro-rotor, a thoughtful adjustable deployant clasp, and a suggested price of lower than 10,000CHF, could this be the best value on the market y...
Wonderful report on a very appealing watch, Patrick!
I have to say I have been a big admirer of the Tonda watches, both steel and the earlier WG variations. The movement, the proportions and the minimalist case and dial design all spoke to me. There is only one competitor you forgot to mention, namely Chopa...
Indeed the first Chopard LUC movements was designed and created by Philippe Dufour and Michel Parmigiani
This is why we can find some similar proportions
Excellent Patrick. Very well done, but only one criticism….
The three other watches are all at a disadvantage compared to the Tonda, since they are manual wind only – your score for the PF-702 is heavily biased (imo) and devoid of any reference to how it feels when manually winding it. That would’ve been a fair an...
I actually edited the winding feel out...
We have actually parallel thoughts but in reverse thought patterns. I thought that I'd be showing my bias if I described the winding... I could invite criticism like "Patrick inherently likes automatics more than manuals." I was also trying to be very obj...
What a wondeful and acurate report
Thanks i enjoyed reading it very much. Very thorough. I would choose the Tonda out of the 4 above, but the Chopard LUC 1860 is missing from the equasion i think. I tried on the Tonda 1950 in pink gold several years ago and as much as i was taken by the mo...
Excellent point...
I never had a Chopard L.U.C 1860 on my wrist for more than two minutes. I tried one on in Shanghai back in February this year. So I couldn't get an accurate sense of the watch. But I agree, it's a beautiful watch in the three-hand category with a nice mov...
and the Chopard 1860 XPS version is in 40mm i believe, to add more complication to the comparison
..........but the Lange is very special too.
I do like the Lange...
I'm very fond of the Lange. And our PuristSPro member "Jocke" takes wonderful photos of it too!
Excellent review, this watch is definitely of the highest value.
I've seen the movement in the gold variants, and the aesthetics/finishing is just gorgeous. If they come out with a more interesting dial color on steel (like you said gray or even blue) then this watch would be irresistable!
I hope they read your advice!
I think Parmigiani really listens to customer feedback. You may have just influenced their product line! Time will tell! Thanks for reading and commenting! I presume from your avatar that you're a PML fan, that's my favorite from G.O.; double swan neck an...
I hope so! I'm pretty interested in getting a Tonda 1950 for my next piece
Hopefully we'll see some new interesting variants at the next Basel. I am a huge PML fan indeed (since I own one), that movement aesthetics is to die for! Glad you like it too!
A Tonda would be a good choice...
Something thin and elegant would be a great contrast to the PML. Definitely try a Tonda 1950 when you can. And don't forget to try a black-faced version.
Actually, after reading your post I took a trip to the AD over the weekend...
To my surprise they had all 3 of the new steel pieces. For me, the least interesting is the white (actually silver) one, feels kind of generic. The moonphase is quite beautiful, though I would've preferred if the date wheel was black also. My favorite is ...
I agree, the simple black one is my favorite.
Wow, they got the moonphase already! That was just announced! The "Opaline Silver" does look less distinctive, but under-the-radar was likely the goal. Thanks for the photos! I like your taste!
Thanks for the in-depth review!
Very nice piece indeed, all things considered! I would like to see it in real life very much! HAGWE! Best, HGL
They're coming to retailers now...
You'll be able to see one shortly at your PF retailer. Hopefully there is one nearby. They're definitely cool timepieces. I really like the lugs.
The black looks cool...
Thank you for the photos. Which one do you like more? I'm leaning towards black.
Nice work, Patrick!
In fairness to Lange, they made a microrotor-wound Langematik that might have provided a more direct comparison with the Parmigiani. However, I think they are now using their microrotor movement only to power complications. They still make a three-handed ...
You are right my friend!
The Langematik was a nice watch indeed. You're right, they do make a Saxonia Automatic. The reason why the 1815 was chosen was because the 1815 has a lower starting price point than Saxonia automatic. So why not a manual Saxonia you ask? Well, I chose the...
Thank you for reading! [nt]
It seems that nice watches are no longer the rarity. But nice watches that are highly functional and that are for sale at a somewhat reasonable price are the rarity.
Yes I honestly agree,,,,,
If the watch costs 10; 000 CHF you get what you pay for ! It is worth it's price for sure. Thank you my friend. Best Regards Edward
A nice and reasonable piece...
But I don't feel a lot of emotions. To be honest, when I look at the new Toric Chronometer, I don't think they play the same league. Obviously, the Topic is much more expensive but I find it so more excinting that I would prefer to save money and directly...
It's going to affect people differently...
For someone getting into their first piece of haute horlogerie who pays less emphasis to case material and wants a three-hand dress watch with petite seconds. The Toric is definitely a complete package and a compelling value; gold case, date, large sweep ...
Great comparative review, thanks
I have a Tonda with meteorite dial in polished titanium case. Dated back before deciding to go for it, I find it the case size and also lugs are not nice and odd, but after trying it, it is very comfortably seating on my wrist, very close to my wrist and ...
That's cool...
Titanium case is cool. Meteorite dial is super cool. Thanks for sharing this Stefan!
Coming back to your piece...
I'm noticing the titanium is of the harder variety to be polished like that. So Grade 5 Titanium. Good looking piece. And I don't think I own a titanium watch. Ceramic, yes; titanium, no. Meteorite dial, neither. Does yours have the Hermes strap?
Just thank you
Great article. Wonderful attention to detail and subject awareness. The watch itself is superb especially if movement finishing is the similar to the previous metals' version. Unfortunately Tonda does not hold value well.
Thank you for the kind words...
Definitely a value play for those who want a well finished movement but don't require the status quo of having a gold watch. They don't hold their value well, but who knows, this one just doesn't have that much room to fall. It's definitely a sophisticate...
A very, no, let me correct myself - extremely nice watch
from a technical point of view, the only thing I do not understand is the very small balance wheel. For accuracy, the bigger the better. But by all means, is regulated well it really does not matter (just a grumpy old man’s view).
It's actually not that small, it just looks small...
The watch is 40mm in diameter. The movement is 30mm in diameter which is unusually wide for a movement and it fills up the case nicely with only 5mm of case material on all sides. Most watches with a 40mm diameter have a smaller than 30mm movement. The ba...
I fully agree
My point is that there is a ratio between mainspring diameter and the balance wheel for accuracy.
I see. I didn't know there's a relationship between mainspring diameter and balance wheel...
Are you specifically referring to the diameter of the balance wheel? I can see the mainspring is very big, appears to be a single barrel design too. You're not referring to the hair spring inside the balance wheel are you? I didn't know there's an accurac...
The ideal formula is
Movement diameter/2 should be the diameter of the mainspring barrel and the balance. The hairspring should be relevant to the balance wheel (as a logical consequence of the balance diameter).