The Tonda Chronor Anniversaire by Parmigiani Fleurier celebrates the brand’s 20th anniversary, from its creation in 1996 by Michel Parmigiani with the Sandoz Family Foundation. It’s a very technical piece, with a clear and functional dial. Its utility is further enhanced by the big date. It is also exceptional in that the movement is entirely made in rose gold. Michel himself said, “Since the very start of our watchmaking adventure, the idea of creating an integrated chronograph has always been close to my heart… an integrated chronograph is necessarily the work of an experienced manufacture. The Tonda Chronor Anniversaire is a reflection of 20 years of work.” The watch undoubtedly incorporates some of the knowledge that Parmigiani developed during his intense activity as restorer of antique watches.
The difference between an integrated chronograph and a modular chronograph is that while the modular chronograph has a standard base movement with a chronograph module added to it, the integrated chronograph is designed throughout considering its function. The mainsprings and escapement are optimized for the extra energy needed to drive the chronograph hands. Generally, integrated chronograph movements are a little slimmer than modular chronographs. The thinnest modular chronograph is the ETA 2894-2, 6.1 mm thick, and the thinnest integrated chronograph movement is the Piguet 1185, 5.55 mm thick. Another difference between the two types is that usually a modular chronograph has pushers that are not in line with the crown.
Functional dial
The Tonda Chronor Anniversaire’s dial is logically arranged, with time function hands all in one colour, chronograph hands in another (the colours are opposite in the two different dial colours). The hour and minute hands have a luminescent coating, while the continuous seconds hand below the central pivot has a double scale. The dial’s technical look is enhanced by the tachymeter scale and the numerals for seconds inside the outer chapter ring.
PF361 movement
The Tonda Chronor Anniversaire is the first integrated chronograph by Parmigiani Fleurier, with the PF361 movement developed specially for the piece. The movement runs at 36,000 vibrations per hour, 5 Hertz, the most logical frequency for a chronograph because it enables tenths of seconds to be measured and displayed on a chapter ring marked in fifths of seconds. The chronograph is controlled by a column wheel, with vertical clutch, which improves accuracy with respect to the more usual horizontal clutch. The movement is 8.5 mm thick and has 317 components. The single handwound mainspring barrel provides a power reserve of 65 hours.
Split second function
This piece has the split second function. When the chronograph is activated, the two chronograph hands – the central chronograph seconds hand and the split seconds hand exactly on top of it – move together as one. When the split-second pusher on the crown is pressed, the top split second hand stops while the chronograph seconds hand keeps running. When the pusher is pressed again, the split-second hand rejoins the other. The procedure can be repeated as desired. The split-second hand is controlled by a second column wheel. Follow this link for a selection of split-second chronograph watches.
Big date
The big date function is also integrated into the movement, with the numerals shown in a double frame at the top of the dial.
Movement revealed by sapphire caseback
The view through the transparent display caseback is beautiful. The bridges are designed in the form of concentric circles radiating out from the balance, like circular waves rippling out fromwhere a stone is thrown into water. The two crown wheels are in prominent view, and Michel Parmigiani’s signature can be seen on the mainspring barrel at the top. Finish is excellent, with brushed surfaces contrasting with the bridges’ polished internal angles. The movement’s design includes some complex curves reminiscent of Michel Parmigiani’s hallmark lugs, generated by “golden mean” spirals that have always been an important part of his design approach. The same shape can be seen in the two chronograph pushers, and in the ardillon buckle.
Two versions
Two versions of the watch are made, with case in white or rose gold, and each version can have a white or deep blue dial. Both dials are in grand feu enamel, and the blue version is in a new colour for Parmigiani Fleurier, “Bleu Roi” or royal blue, that varies from blue to purple according to the light. The case is 42.1 mm in diameter and 14.6 mm chick, with water resistance 3 bar (30 metres). 25 pieces of each case type will be made, with individual number engraved on the caseback. The watch has an alligator strap with ardillon buckle.
Price
The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Chronor Anniversaire is a limited edition, 25 pieces in white gold, 25 in rose gold. The price for both is 135,000 Swiss francs.
