The Low-Down

In 2016, Parmigiani came out with the Tonda Chronor Anniversaire, which featured the maison’s first-ever in-house integrated chronograph caliber. Parmigiani’s efforts paid off when the watch industry peers awarded the brand with the Best Chronograph Watch at the 2017 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). The Tondargraph GT takes its design cues from the award winning Chronor Anniversaire model with the teardrop-shaped lugs, fluted bezel, and an integrated bracelet. The latest in the Tondargraph GT lineup are the Silver Black dial in steel, and in gold case.

The characteristic Parmigiani delta-shaped hands with black luminescent coating display the time while the date appears prominently in a large double aperture at 12 o’clock. Sub-dials at 9 and 6 o’clock display the chronograph functions. The 3 o’clock sub-dial serves the dual function of a running seconds indicator and the display of the month. As in all annual calendars, this indicator requires adjustment only once per year, from February to March. The watch comes with either an integrated steel bracelet or a textured black rubber strap.

“The arrival of the Tonda GT has expanded our audience and rejuvenated the existing collection for more modern tastes,” CEO Guido Terreni states. “Its launch created momentum for the brand in a very difficult year and offers an opportunity for many new potential customers to enjoy Parmigiani Fleurier. Now the classical aesthetics of a silver-and-black dial, a monochromatic case in steel or in gold, and an integrated bracelet, bring a new level of freshness to the collection, and the subtle enhancements on these new models demonstrate how we can take their sophistication even higher.”

IMHO

As the saying goes, strike the iron while it’s hot, is exactly what Parmigiani is doing with the release of haute horology sports watch in with Panda dial. While throngs of watch enthusiasts and casual buyers are on waiting list to buy Rolex Daytona Panda dial, which is unobtainable, here is a refined sports watch offering that and more. Esthetically, a lot of the haute horology sports watches seem to have similar elements in their design. The “Tonda Panda” is no exception, even though the design is based on a previous model, which lends the brand an aura of credibility.

Tech Specs

Tondagraph GT Steel Silver Black

Case: 42 mm, stainless steel, 100 m water resistance
Movement: automatic Caliber PF043; 28,800 vph/4Hz frequency; power reserve 45 hours
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds; big date, 30-minute chronograph, annual calendar
Strap: Integrated steel bracelet, or a textured black rubber strap
Price: $21,500 on steel bracelet; $20,400 on textured black rubber strap

Tondagraph GT Rose Gold Silver Black

Case: 42 mm, rose gold, 100 m water resistance
Movement: automatic Caliber PF071; COSC certified, 36,600 vph/5Hz frequency; power reserve 65 hours
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds; big date, 30-minute chronograph, big date
Strap: Integrated steel bracelet, or a textured black rubber strap
Price: $72,500 on gold bracelet; $45,300 on textured black rubber strap