A Look at the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Micro Rotor

Parmigiani Fleurier releases a Micro Rotor version of its new Tonda PF watch, housed inside a remarkably slim 7.8mm stainless steel case

It’s clear to see just by looking at the majority of Parmigiani Fleurier’s catalogue that the inspiration behind many of its watches derived from the steel sports watch era. That said, the brand takes a lot of care in adding details that you don’t always get with watches from this category. The movements are in-house manufactured and many of the dimensions on the dial and case are determined by the Fibonacci sequence. These principles are based on the golden ratio that Michel Parmigiani has focused on since the year of the brand’s birth and long before then. Luxury steel sports watches are high in demand and that probably won’t change for some time. That’s why so many brands have experienced success in creating timepieces based on this particular design from the 1970s, but if one brand should stand out for doing things a little different, it’s Parmigiani Fleurier.

This year the watch manufacturer, who owns several other small in-house factories (all specializing in their own area of expertise) has launched a new sub-collection belonging to the Tonda family. The line is called the Tonda PF. These watches breathe new life into the sporty and classic-looking breed which has, in the past, been likened to that of the brand’s Toric watches. The Tonda PF watches come in four variations right now. Released in time for Geneva Watch Days last month, the models comprise a chronograph in steel or rose gold, an annual calendar on these same material options, and a split-second chronograph crafted from platinum. Joining these three models is the 40mm three-handed Tonda PF watch with a micro rotor, which we’re going to look at in more detail.

The luxury sports watch spirit

The popularity of the luxury sports watch we have come to know and love today is, in many ways, owed to the Royal Oak watch by Audemars Piguet, which was designed under Gerald Genta’s pen. Known for his extraordinary work creating iconic sports watches during this time, the disruptive watch influenced the Nautilus by Patel Philippe, the Ingenieur by IWC Schaffhausen and many more. Provocative, bold and expensive – these watches defined an important era in the watchmaking story, with characteristics that are still celebrated in modern watches today. Luxury sports watches tick several credentials and became designed for bearing a certain set of characteristics. Integrated bracelets, a robust case with water resistance, a finely decorated movement, and a somewhat slim movement were among some of these, bringing us onto the design of the newly released Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Micro Rotor watch.

The new timepiece is relatively compact with a slim profile and an integrated bracelet that flows seamlessly into the shape of the case. It’s a more slimmed down and refined version of the Tonda GT and Tondagraph watches recently launched by the brand. For these reasons, it ticks even more luxury sports watch boxes, enabling it to well and truly earn its place within this popular sector of the industry. That said, Tonda DNA is certainly present throughout.

Parmigiani Fleurier strikes a very unique balance in the design of the new Tonda PF Micro Rotor watch. Whilst winning the hearts of luxury sports watch fans, the brand also accepts that to stand out from the crowd, it must produce something a little different from the norm. For the first time, we see the new PF logo emblazoned upon the surface of an unusual dial colour. The motif is oblong and vertically positioned with a double frame surrounding the PF initials. The new oval-shaped logo sits on top of a grain d’orge dial in grey. When observed from a distance, the surface technique is hard to make out, enabling the watch to evoke a sophisticated look when paired with formal or professional attire by night. What’s more, the structure of the dial is actually in two layers, whilst the rest of the display remains quite minimalist. The rhodium-plated markers join skeletonized delta-shaped hands and a date window at 6 o’clock.

Parmigiani’s Fleurier Micro Rotor

Parmigiani Fleurier’s micro rotor is crafted entirely from platinum and belongs to the self-winding PF703 Calibre. The in-house manufactured automatic movement is remarkably thin, measuring a discreet 3mm diameter. As opposed to lying on top, the oscillating weight is integrated inside the movement's structure, enabling it to sit inside a case depth that measures a mere 7.8mm on the wrist. The Calibre PF703 performs at a rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour and delivers a 48-hour power reserve. Complete with traditional Swiss decoration, the beautiful movement, which comprises a total of 160 components, can be admired through the back of the case via a sapphire crystal glass exhibition feature.

The rest of the design of the new Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Micro Rotor watch is relatively simple. The surface of the uniquely textured grey dial is also adorned with rectangular hour markers that are located on a section of the dial where two layers meet. This enables the indexes to sit at a particular angle, enhancing a three-dimensional effect across the display. The dial is also protected by a strong piece of sapphire crystal glass front integrated with an anti reflective treatment. The case of the new Micro Rotor watch from Parmigiani Fleurier is 100-meter water-resistant and is finished on a sophisticated stainless steel bracelet to match the material of the case.

For more information on the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Micro Rotor watch, you can check out some details here or call our sales team at Jura Watches on 01335 453453

Technical Specifications of the new Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Micro Rotor

• Case; 40mm – stainless steel – 100-meter water-resistant – hand-knurled bezel – anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – sapphire glass exhibition caseback
• Dial: Grey - "Guilloché Grain d'orge" effect – rhodium-coated delta-shaped hands – rectangular baton indexes – two-level dial – date window at 6 o’clock – new PF logo
• Movement: PF703 Calibre – self-winding – in-house manufactured – platinum micro rotor - 3mm thickness – 160 components – 48-hour power reserve – 21,600 v.p.h – 29 jewels
• Bracelet: Stainless steel – integrated – folding clasp engraved with the PF logo
• Price: POA
• Reference: PFC914-1020001-100182