ReviewParmigiani’s Tonda GT Chronograph: An Artful Yet Functional Luxury Sports Watch
Showcasing a harmonious blend of style and practicality, the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda GT Chronograph reflects the brand’s evolution beyond traditional haute horology
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Parmigiani Fleurier have been making waves in the luxury watch industry lately, and for good reason. Guided by one of the masterminds behind Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo, Guido Terreni—who is now Parmigiani’s CEO—the brand have introduced two distinct proposals within the line. These are the refined Tonda PF family and the sportier Tonda GT. Michel Parmigiani has been known for crafting extravagant timepieces with unparalleled beauty, but many of them were not necessarily practical for everyday wear. However, when Guido Terreni became CEO, he worked with Parmigiani to incorporate the brand’s exquisite aesthetics and quality into more functional models that appealed to a broader audience. Terreni’s influence led to a shift in the brand’s approach, as they began to create timepieces that offered both aesthetic and functional value. This expansion has allowed the brand to create watches that reflect the decoration and detailing that Parmigiani’s pieces have been known for, yet have been designed with a sensibility towards everyday functionality, hence speaking to a wider audience.
The GT Pedigree
Like the GTs of the car world, the Tonda GT collection is designed for rough and smooth terrain, making it the sportiest line in the Tonda family. It is no wonder then that the Tonda GT Chronograph has caught the attention of watch enthusiasts worldwide, with its attractive new panda dials in Quantum Grey that steer clear of the current obsession with blue and green. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Tonda GT Chronograph and its impressive dose of sophistication and style, which sets it apart from other luxury sports watches.
Parmigiani’s Tonda GT Chronograph watches come in two models with different movements, but both bear the same name, creating a confusing situation for buyers. The rose gold version boasts the 5Hz in-house automatic calibre PF071, featuring a 12-hour chronograph and big date complication, offering 65 hours of power reserve. In contrast, the steel-cased model houses the PF043 automatic movement, operating at 4Hz, featuring a 12-hour chronograph, a big date, and an annual calendar complication, equipped to provide 45 hours of power reserve.
Tonda GT In Steel With An Annual Calendar
The Tonda GT Chronograph Silver Black is more than just a high-end sports watch; it is also an annual calendar, providing a hefty combination of useful complications.
At first glance, the dial layout might appear identical to the 5Hz chronograph. However, this Tonda GT Chronograph fits both complications neatly and tightly, with the running seconds at three, the 12-hour elapsed times at six, and the 30-minute counter at nine o’clock. The big date is located at noon, while the month is ingeniously integrated inside the small seconds. The aperture for the month is marked by an inscription on the left that reads ‘month’, making it easy to adjust the annual calendar once a year, when February ends.
The sapphire crystal caseback reveals the calibre PF043, with an automatic modular chronograph and annual calendar feature, presenting refined finishing such as circular côtes de Genève on the bridges, as well as circular graining. The open-worked 22-karat gold rotor generates a 45-hour power reserve, and the movement beats at 28,800vph/4Hz, making it both beautiful and reliable. With a polished stainless steel case measuring 42mm in diameter and 13.7mm in height, it is both water-resistant and elegant.
Tonda GT In Rose Gold With A 5Hz Movement
The rose gold version is set in an elegant 18-karat rose gold case with a polished and brushed finish. It’s in this version the elegant design of the case can be appreciated even more. The case’s graceful curvature flows seamlessly from the case and down the bracelet, with smooth, rounded edges that give it the appearance of a water-worn pebble. The teardrop pushers for the chronograph are slanted to match the case middle’s curvature and are inset on larger teardrop lugs that blend into the bracelet, adding a touch of luxury to the watch. The case’s fluted bezel complements the high-contrast dial, which is powered by the in-house calibre PF071. With a power reserve of 65 hours, the COSC-certified chronometer movement beats at 36,000vph/5Hz, enabling the chronograph to measure intervals up to 1/10th of a second. While it does not have an annual calendar complication, the watch features an integrated big date, replacing the additional date module.
Gorgeous Granata
One of our favourites in this series is a version featuring a captivating granata hue. The stainless steel model has a polished and satin-finished 42mm case with a silvered and granata dial, ornamented with a ‘clou triangulaire’ guilloché motif. It is adorned with rhodium-plated hour markers treated with a black luminescent coating. The watch is complemented by a matching granata strap, accentuating its striking aesthetic.
Meanwhile, the gold version of the Tonda GT Chronograph maintains the same 42mm case size, but upgrades to a polished and satin-finished 18-karat rose gold case. The dial here is enriched with 18-karat rose gold appliques illuminated with luminescent material. A matching granata strap completes the look of this luxurious timepiece. Both versions embody the harmony of elegance and functionality that Parmigiani’s watches are known for.
Final Thoughts
While many high-end sports watches share similar design elements, the Tonda GT Chronograph beautifully fuses Michel Parmigiani’s meticulousness towards design and details, and love for smooth, ergonomic, and flowing lines. This makes the Parmigiani Tonda GT Chronograph an excellent proposition among the numerous options you’d find in the segment of luxury chronograph watches.
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