M4
[Parmigiani Moderator]
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Cataloging Parmigiani Chronographs
Parmigiani Fleurier began its life as a haute horlogerie brand in 1996. Since inception it has introduced a surprisingly large number of references, especially chronograph references.
The intent of this post is to catalog the different chronographs made by Parmigiani since inception to the present. This is a first pass and will undoubtedly have some gaps that will need to be filled.
The chronograph models I have identified are summarized below.
Tonda
· Metrographe - circa 2014 – 2020
· Transforma - circa 2011 - ?
· Chronor Anniversaire - circa 2016 – 2019
· Tondagraph GT Annual Calendar - circa 2020 – 2021
· Tonda GT 5 Hz - circa 2020 – 2021
· Tonda PF Chronograph - circa 2021 – present
· Tonda PF Rattrapante - circa 2021 – present
· Tonda PF Sport - circa 2023 – present
Toric
· Chronograph with El Primero movement - circa 2000
· Rattrapante Chronograph - 2024
Bugatti
Aerolithe - circa 2014 – 2018
Atalante - circa 2015
Pershing
· Chronograph - circa 2014 - 2018
Kalpa
· Kalpagraphe - circa 2018 – 2020
· Chronor - circa 2018 - 2020
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PHOTO CREDITS - A BLOG TO WATCH or MONOCHROME (unless otherwise noted)
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TONDA METROGRAPHE - An entry level chronograph.
The Tonda Metrographe, an early Parmigiani chronograph with automatic movement, 40 mm x 11.5 mm (approx), and available on strap or bracelet.
The first generation Metrographe had an expanded date display an 6. The subdials were asymmetrical and overlapping.
The second generation Metrographe moved the expanded date window to 12 and modified the subdials, both improvements in my eyes.
The Metrographe movement, PF315, beats at 28,800 vph with a 42 hour power reserve.
Near the end of the Metrographe product cycle, a red gold version was added to the lineup.
The red gold Metrographe uses the same PF315 movement upgraded with a red gold rotor, nicely finished.
TONDA TRANSFORMA - An all-in-one wrist watch / pocket watch.
The Tonda Transforma chronograph uses movement PF334 beating at 28,800 vph with 55 hours power reserve.
Like the first generation Metrographe, the date display is at 6.
There are a couple of special edition Transformas including this one in titanium, circa 2011 - 2012, called the Transforma Rivages. The Rivages commemorates the Swiss boat entered in the Vendee Globe round-the-world sailing event. Another very colorful version of the Transforma was made in collaboration with the Brazilian Football Confederation (not pictured).
PHOTO CREDIT: THE WATCH OUTLET.
Here is the Rivages with accompanying pocket watch chain.
TONDAGRAPH GT - 2020
The Tondagraph GT in steel features a large date, annual calendar, and chronograph complications. It is 42mm x 13.7mm (approx) with screw down crown.
Also available with a rubber strap but there is NO quick change capability.
The movement is PF043 beating at 28,800 vph with a 48 hour power reserve.
At or near the same time the steel Tondagraph GT was introduced, Parmigiani introduced its next generation chronograph movement in the Tonda GT 5 Hz. I believe the "-graph" suffix was dropped with this piece and it was simply called the Tonda GT 5 Hz.
The movement, PF071, is one of the nicest automatic chronograph movements on the market in my opinion, beating at 36,000 vph with a 65 hour power reserve.
About a year later the Tonda GT 5 Hz came out in a Panda dial.
TONDA PF & TONDA PF SPORT - With a new CEO in 2021, the 5 Hz movement became the workhorse in the new Tonda chronograph line, now renamed Tonda PF Chronograph. It was followed in 2023 with the Tonda PF Sport Chronograph. The primary difference between the two references are a platinum bezel on the former and a steel bezel with on the latter.
The platinum bezel of the Tonda PF has 220 incisions.
The steel bezel of the Tonda PF Sport has 160 incisions.
The platinum bezel of the Tonda PF has 220 incisions.
The steel bezel of the Tonda PF Sport has 160 incisions.
Also in 2021, Parmigiani introduced its award-winning manual winding split seconds chronograph movement in the Tonda PF line.
The platinum Tonda PF Split Seconds Chronograph.
The backside showing beautifully finished skeletonized gold bridges and double column wheels.
TONDA CHRONOR ANNIVERSAIRE - 2016 - 2019
To celebrate the brand’s 20th anniversary, a special Tonda Chronor was released in 2016. 100 examples were made, 25 in WG/blue dial, 25 in WG/white dial, 25 in RG/blue dial, and 25 in RG/white dial.
The anniversary pieces featured the skeletonized gold movement which the brand calls ”Chronor."
In 2019, a slate grey dial version of the Tonda Chronor was introduced. Although in the Tonda family, it is interesting to note the Toric-style knurled bezel on this piece.
TONDAGRAPHE TOURBILLON - circa 2020
Tondagraphe Tourbillon with two register chronograph display and one minute tourbillon. An open-worked version of this piece was made and is high on my want list.
Calibre PF354, manual winding, 21,600 vph, 65 hour power reserve.
TORIC CHRONOGRAPH w/ith El Primero movement - circa 2000
One of the nicest examples of the chronograph offered by Parmigiani in its very early years. The photo is courtesy of WatchProSite's own mrds who graciously consented to its use. The early Toric chronographs use El Primero movements finely finished by Parmigiani. A trademark design element of this model is the double case step with knurling, incredibly on both the dial side and the movement side.
PHOTO CREDIT: MR WATCHLEY
PHOTO CREDIT: MR WATCHLEY
Later models reduced the number of knurled bezels from two to one on the dial side.
TORIC RATTRAPANTE CHRONOGRAPH - 2024
There were no chronographs in the Toric lineup for many years until 2024. I was fortunate to snag one of the 30 pieces in the 2024 reintroduction.
The 2024 Toric Chronograph uses the spli seconds movement that was first introduced by the brand in 2016.
TORIC RATTRAPANTE CHRONOGRAPH with Venus movement - circa 2000
PHOTO CREDIT: A COLLECTED MAN
Again, from the very early years of the brand, Parmigiani had a micro run of 10 split second chronographs using a Venus 179 manual winding movement.
PHOTO CREDIT: A COLLECTED MAN
Venus 179.
BUGATTI CHRONOGRAPHS - circa 2014 - 2017
Parmigiani co-branded watches with Bugatti for a number of years. Many of the co-branded pieces were very high end tourbillons but in 2014, a dual register chronograph was introduced in champagne or blue dial.
The chronograph, named Aerolithe, was left side activated.
The Aerolithe movement is calibre PF335.
In 2015, a second Bugatti co-branded chronograph was introduced, named the Atalante. It was made in red gold and white gold cases.
Like the Aerolithe, the chronograph is dual register and left side activated. The dial is partially open-worked and there is an unusual tachymater scale on the minute totalizer subdial.
The final Bugatti co-branded chronograph, from 2017, is another Aerolithe model with a titanium case.
PERSHING CO-BRANDED CHRONOGRAPHS - circa 2014 - ?
PHOTO CREDIT: PROFESSIONAL WATCHES
Parmigiani co-branded chronograph watches with the Italian yacht builder, Pershing, for some years beginning around 2014. There were several models including the Pershing 005 (pictured), 002, and 115. The 115 model was amade from palladium.
PHOTO CREDIT: PROFESSIONAL WATCHES
The Pershing 005 chronograph is 45mm x 14mm (approx).
There was at least one limited edition Pershing made in collaboration with the Brazilian Football Confederation.
KALPAGRAPHE - circa 2018 - 2020
The Kalpagraphe is a large watch (larger than the more widely known Kalpa XL). Measurements will be added later.
The Kalpagraphe was initially released in gold and was followed with models in titanium (shown here) and steel.
The Kalpagraph caliber, PF362, is another high beat movement at 36,000 vph and 65 hours power reserve.
A final iteration of the Kalpagraph is the Kalpa Chronor.
True to the Chronor name, the movement is in virtually all gold.
That's all. I find several of these references quite compelling. Like many PF watches, there are some good values in the secondary market for patient shoppers.
Without question, that was my longest post ever on WPS 
Hope it's helpful to any of you that made it this far )))
Hope it's helpful to any of you that made it this far )))M4
This message has been edited by KMII on 2024-11-25 05:48:41
Cataloging Parmigiani Chronographs
Parmigiani Fleurier began its life as a haute horlogerie brand in 1996. Since inception it has introduced a surprisingly large number of references, especially chronograph references. The intent of this post is to catalog the different chronographs made b...
Excellent reference post for Parmigiani chronographs!!
Here is another Kalpagraphe I had the pleasure of handling. ...
Yes, I have run hot and cold on the Transforma for almost a year now. Still not sure whether to pull the trigger.
PF does slate dials very well. The one you mention is gorgeous. M4
The Kalpa Chronor is one of my favorites!
I'm biased of course for owning the time-only version, but I think the design is pure class.
Fantastic post! Thank you so much!
Very informative and a pleasure to read at the same time. Being in love with the Toric line, there goes my preferences (especially the models with double step case with knurling), but who cares? Seeing the big picture, is really great.
Great post and very informative.
Thank you for taking the time to write this. Some hand wound chrono movements are just great, it was nice to get lost in the details.
Wonderful post, thanks very much! ❣️🙏🏻🤩
I always admired PF! There are a couple of models I could consider for myself….
Thanks Markus!
A word of caution . . . dipping your toe in the PF pond can quickly escalate to total immersion M4
Fantastic research! Thank you for pulling this together.
My top pick from the list is the 1st Gen Rattrapante. It existed also in a 2 register version, and in 2-3 different dial variants if my memory serves me right. All rare birds, and all excuisite!
