Horological Meandering

The review above and subsequent posts have been about the Tondagraphe GT Annual Calendar Chronograph, but I was interested in the whole line after circling Parmigiani Fleurier for the last year or so. Having read and re-read OP's review alongside much of what else is available online, I chose the three-hander in all steel. Here's why.

First of all, I have quite a few chronographs, and wanted something more basic in all-steel.

Second, while the rose gold on the blue rubber strap is perhaps the prettiest among the options, I've recently bought two watches in rose gold and wanted to pivot to another traditional material.

Third, I like how Parmigiani Fleurier has mastered what I can only describe as an androgynous style. Their watches manage to combine both masculinity and femininity. Not as unisex styling which tends to downplay both, but by extravagantly celebrating each, together. This sense of abundance is very, very evident when wearing this particular watch (my apologies to trans friends for this characterisation - if anyone can find better expression, please share).

The fourth reason is the most important and personal. There is an undercurrent in all of my watch buying over the years that bears the hallmarks of a father's influence. He had a few and the two I remember most vividly were a 1960s Omega Seamaster and a 1970s Seiko, both three-handers. As a child, their designs simply represented "watch" to this young boy. They still do. Whenever I see a nicely executed three-hander, a little voice in my head speaks, "That's a watch."

We are probably quite peripatetic with our tastes on this forum; that is to say, curious wanderers. Along the way, I've taken in a wide variety of watches drawn from different traditions and periods and styles. I'm a brand and movement agnostic, so will take in watches of all varieties for the experience. But that undercurrent is strong and it has always tugged me towards watches of a simpler, more classical aspect. I let the undercurrent pull me along this time. This Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda GT Black is something my father would have looked at, if he was with us today, and simply said, "Yes. That's a watch."

I've already posted some thoughts about its design and look, so I'm not going to repeat or elaborate on those. Frankly, they don't matter. What matters is that personal connection we all seek, right? In my case that connection began when I first read about this watch, circled it, ordered it and wore it. Feels good to have it.



For more on this watch's specifications: www.parmigianiamericas.com

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