chikai168
466
Arnold and Son vs Parmigiani
May 02, 2022,09:45 AM
Hi all,
Hope everyone is well. I have been contemplating a steel bracelet watch. For a casual but still elegant watch that I can wear in a number of different situations. What are your views on the new Arnold & Son Nebula Blue on SS bracelet vs the Parmigiani Tondagraph GT panda dial?
I know they are very different watches and at slightly different price points. But they are both very nice in their own way.
I love skeleton watches. (My wife asked Would I be getting too many skeletons if I add this!?!) I did not find the dark grey Nebula to my taste but the new blue design really makes the dial pop and I like it a lot. Finishing is very nice, especially when you consider the price point. I love seeing the escapement and the other gears move! And the bracelet adds a lot of versatility to it. I have not been able to handle the watch in person and it is unlikely I will before ordering. I have seen the Arnold and Son bracelet though in their other models and the Nebula will be with the same bracelet. Of course, compared the the Parmigiani, this watch was not designed to be a bracelet watch from the start and the bracelet is not integrated.
The Parmigiani Tondagraph offers a very interesting complication that I don’t have. I was able to handle the dark grey dial version and can say the bracelet and the whole watch is very comfortable and elegant, whilst still sporty. It offers a “true” integrated bracelet and that makes the watch look much more “complete as a sports watch”. My only comment is that I would have preferred they swapped the brushed and polished surfaces to make a little less “shiny”. The movement is not “great” (modular construction, a cam Chronograph I believe) but the value here is the interesting complication and case and bracelet work as a whole. And the case and bracelet is very very nice. On the wrist, you can feel an elegant coolness and the versatility which the Nebula may not have.
What are your thoughts? A few press pictures for people to see.
Many thanks,
Chi Kai
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Arnold and Son vs Parmigiani
By: chikai168 : May 2nd, 2022-09:45
Hi all, Hope everyone is well. I have been contemplating a steel bracelet watch. For a casual but still elegant watch that I can wear in a number of different situations. What are your views on the new Arnold & Son Nebula Blue on SS bracelet vs the Parmig...
Thanks for input so far
By: chikai168 : May 2nd, 2022-14:27
So 3 for Nebula. 1 for both! 😄 if only money is not an issue! BW, Chi Kai
Parmigiani hands down,
By: GreatPilot@me.com : May 2nd, 2022-15:17
IMHO the AS is a little over the top, the P is classy, functional, beautiful and extremely comfortable…Jim ...
Nice!
By: chikai168 : May 2nd, 2022-16:53
That is a special edition! Very handsome. Do you find the bracelet too polished? BW, Chi Kai
The bracelet is a little shiny but
By: GreatPilot@me.com : May 4th, 2022-00:06
Fits very well with the the overall look, the brown dial with the beige outer ring put it in perspective. I love the watch and it is one of the most comfortable what I have…Jim
Thank you
By: chikai168 : May 2nd, 2022-16:54
Many here prefer less text on the dials But that bit does not bother me. BW, Chi Kai
Very easy
By: Weems@8 : May 2nd, 2022-16:28
Not difficult at all to pick my favorite here. Can i speak of a kind of grail? Yes! But…. it is the grey black Nebula which i adore. The blue is a good second place. The TB 88 is a tat to big. Arnolds do a great job at their whole collection.
Agree!
By: chikai168 : May 2nd, 2022-16:58
Arnold and Som are doing some great things. Under appreciated. BW, Chi Kai
How i look at time peaces
By: Weems@8 : May 3rd, 2022-16:29
Glad of your reply. How i look at time peaces and form my opinion. I take the Arnolds Nebula. I look at the face. Than i inspect the complications, hands, movement, brand history, strap cq bracelet used, power reserve etc. Sure, i look if i feel some love...
The Parmigiani is gaining traction
By: chikai168 : May 2nd, 2022-16:50
But the Nebula does have a lot of fans here! The decision making is sooo much part of the joy of the hobby! Would the Nebula on bracket still be quite dressy? BW, Chi Kai
Showed my wife this thread 😆
By: chikai168 : May 2nd, 2022-16:58
I’m trying to bring her into the hobby (maybe will be easier to justify purchases if my better half is involved!) She says that the Nebula is definitely the more beautiful watch but the Parmigiani Is closer to the brief of my project (sporty but elegant, ...
Thank you
By: chikai168 : May 2nd, 2022-20:55
Would be good to hear why the Parmigiani has a slight edge for you. BW, Chi Kai
Parmigiani, easily, would be my choice…
By: oyster case : May 2nd, 2022-19:04
The Tonda GT and Tonda PF have naturally evolved to represent the brand identity. Finally PF has come into its own. The panda Tondagraph GT is very attractive in person.
Parmigiani for me
By: jleno : May 3rd, 2022-04:38
It looks more elegant on the wrist from the pictures, and the complication is a good bonus.
Parmigiani
By: shafran : May 3rd, 2022-09:34
I have owned both Parmigiani and an Arnold and Son watch and the level of finishing and quality were not the same. Parmigiani was vastly superior. A&S make beautiful watches, I was just disappointed in the one I had.
Thank you Shafran
By: chikai168 : May 3rd, 2022-13:34
Do you mind saying which Parmigiani and A&S models they were? BW, Chi Kai
the AS was the GMT DBG in rose gold
By: shafran : May 3rd, 2022-20:49
I have owned Parmigiani tonda 1950s, tonda hemispheres, Pantographs, Tonda perpetual calendars and Pershing chronographs. I still own a rose gold 42mm pershing chrono.
Thanks for everyone’s thoughts!
By: chikai168 : May 5th, 2022-18:34
This is a tough one. Both great in their own way. Seems like getting both is the only solution but my bank account would not agree! 😆 I am currently leaning towards the Nebula. Will see what happens in the next few months. BW, Chi Kai
My Nebula says hi
By: hub6152 : May 7th, 2022-01:32
And there’s a lot more going on than sometimes meets the eye. In ...
Nice!
By: chikai168 : May 7th, 2022-10:49
What a cool piece? How has your experience been? The nebula seems similar to the Polo Skeleton but the polo is quite a bit more expensive. From photos, the finishing seems at a similar level. BW, Chi Kai
ordered blue Nebula with steel bracelet
By: Rock1 : May 11th, 2022-17:22
beautifully, done.... unique symmetry of the movement. Very creative work by ex-Arnold/ Le Joux Perret designer Sebastian Chaulmontet. Highly recommend his book "Chronographs for Collectors"
Fantastic!
By: chikai168 : May 12th, 2022-09:19
I have also ordered the Nebula Blue with steel bracelet! My AD carries both A&S and Parmigiani and have offered me the option of switching to the Tondagraph if when the Nebula arrives, I am not happy with it. When is your estimated delivery date? I have b...
How is the quality of the bracelet?
By: chikai168 : June 17th, 2022-17:10
Do the first few links differ in size to taper down? In terms of the watch itself, as one of the entry pieces to Arnold and Son, what do you think of the finishing? A&S have confirmed with me that the chamfering of the bridges are finished off by hand. Wi...
Thank you!
By: chikai168 : July 3rd, 2022-21:41
Thanks for the reply and the photos. Very informative. Hoping to get mine by the beginning of August! BW, Chi Kai
The Nebula Blue
By: chikai168 : February 2nd, 2023-12:38
This actually arrived some 6 months ago but I never updated the thread! Very wearable and the dial really pops! Had a lot of fun wearing this in the past year. Goes from a summer polo and shirts look to a winter under a shirt cuff and suit very well. So m...
Thank you!
By: chikai168 : February 2nd, 2023-12:51
I’ve been pretty happy with the strap so I have not been pushing my AD too much about the late delivery of the bracelet. I think both looks would work well.
