Parmigiani Fleurier introduces a striking new iteration within its esteemed Tonda PF collection, the Tonda PF Skeleton Slate Green. This timepiece represents a focused exploration of mechanical transparency, marrying the brand's deep-rooted horological expertise with a distinctly modern aesthetic sensibility. Limited to a mere 50 pieces worldwide, it offers a specific take on the art of skeletonization, presented in a novel and compelling color palette.
The journey of
Parmigiani Fleurier is intrinsically linked to its founder, Michel Parmigiani. A master watchmaker and restorer, his profound understanding of historical timepieces laid the foundation for a brand dedicated to preserving the highest standards of Swiss watchmaking while simultaneously pushing creative and technical boundaries. This background in restoration instilled a deep respect for mechanical integrity and intricate finishing, principles that continue to guide the manufacture's creations today, ensuring each piece is built upon centuries of accumulated knowledge.
Courtesy of Parmigiani Fleurier
Launched as a refined vision of luxury sports watch design, the Tonda PF collection quickly established itself with its integrated bracelet construction, subtle detailing like the knurled platinum bezel, and a focus on sophisticated yet understated design codes. The collection prioritizes ergonomic comfort and a harmonious visual flow from case to bracelet, appealing to wearers seeking a versatile watch that balances presence with refinement. The Skeleton models within this family take these principles into the realm of openworking.
Skeletonization, the art of removing non-essential material from the movement's plates and bridges to reveal the inner workings, has roots stretching back centuries, believed to have emerged around the mid-17th century. It's a practice demanding immense skill, transforming functional components into elements of a delicate mechanical sculpture. Parmigiani Fleurier approaches this tradition not just as a historical homage but as a canvas for contemporary expression, balancing structural integrity with visual openness.
The design philosophy behind the Tonda PF Skeleton Slate Green draws heavily from architectural concepts. The intricate interplay of the movement's components, laid bare through skeletonization, evokes the structural complexity and visual rhythm found in modern architectural masterpieces. Light becomes a critical element, interacting with the polished, brushed, and bevelled surfaces, creating a dynamic visual experience where solid forms and open spaces engage in a constant dialogue, animating the mechanism.
Visually, the watch presents a captivating spectacle. The dominant feature is the intricately openworked structure beneath the sapphire crystal. Bridges and plates are reduced to a fine, structural latticework, finished in a metallic Slate Green hue. This color, inspired by the palette of famed architect Le Corbusier, gives the watch a unique character – deep, subtly vibrant, and interacting dynamically with ambient light. Floating above this mechanical landscape are the applied hour markers and the signature Delta-shaped hands.
Courtesy of Parmigiani Fleurier
The case construction adheres to the Tonda PF's established design language, featuring a 40.0 mm diameter crafted primarily from stainless steel. A key signature of the collection, the finely knurled bezel, is rendered here in 950 Platinum, providing a subtle contrast in texture and material luster against the predominantly brushed steel surfaces. The case maintains a relatively slim profile at 8.5 mm thick, enhancing its wearability and sophisticated feel. Protecting the dial side is an ARunic anti-reflective sapphire crystal, ensuring clarity and minimizing glare.
At the core of this timepiece beats the Calibre PF777, an automatic movement specifically designed and skeletonized for this application. Parmigiani Fleurier developed this caliber in-house, ensuring that the openworking was conceived from the ground up, rather than simply removing material from an existing movement. This integrated approach allows for a more cohesive and structurally sound architectural result within the constraints of the Tonda PF's dimensions.
Delving into the technical specifications, the PF777 operates at a frequency of 4 Hz, equivalent to 28,800 vibrations per hour. This rate contributes to the smooth sweep of the seconds hand (though this model omits a seconds hand for visual purity) and aids chronometric stability. The movement provides a healthy power reserve of 60 hours when fully wound, meaning it can be set down for over two days without needing to be rewound or reset.
The finishing applied to the PF777's components is a testament to Parmigiani Fleurier's commitment to Haute Horlogerie standards. Surfaces visible through the skeletonized structure exhibit meticulous hand-bevelling (angling) on their edges, a time-consuming process that catches light beautifully. Bridges feature satin-finishing, contrasting with polished steel elements elsewhere in the mechanism. This careful decoration enhances the visual depth and complexity of the movement architecture.
Courtesy of Parmigiani Fleurier
The art of skeletonization is fully embraced, revealing the intricate vitality of the movement. Load-bearing structures are deliberately exposed, allowing the observer to trace the path of energy from the openworked barrel, where the coiling and uncoiling of the mainspring can be glimpsed, through the gear train. The result is an exceptionally fine latticework, a metallic web that forms the functional heart of the watch, transforming the mechanism into a kinetic sculpture.
Turning the watch over reveals a transparent sapphire crystal case back, offering an unobstructed view of the movement's rear side. Dominating this view is the oscillating weight, responsible for automatic winding. Crafted from white gold for higher winding efficiency due to its density, it is itself openworked and features the Parmigiani Fleurier 'PF' logo prominently displayed beneath a protective sapphire crystal disc integrated into the rotor's design. Its fluid oscillation adds another layer of visual animation.
The case back view provides a different perspective on the movement's depth and complexity. Engravings around the perimeter typically include essential information such as "Parmigiani Fleurier," "Swiss Made," and importantly for this model, its unique identifier within the limited series, "1 of 50," underscoring its exclusivity. The sapphire crystal allows deep appreciation of the movement's finishing from all angles.
The dial, or rather the remaining dial elements, are executed in the distinctive Slate Green color. This specific shade provides an architectural and artistic depth, chosen for its luminous quality and its ability to create plays of shadow and metallic reflection across the movement components. A vertical satin finish is applied to certain areas, adding textural interest. Readability, often a challenge in skeleton watches, is maintained through the use of suspended 18-carat gold rhodium-plated appliqué indices marking the hours around the periphery.
Courtesy of Parmigiani Fleurier
The hands are Parmigiani Fleurier's characteristic Delta shape, partially skeletonized to match the overall theme and maintain a sense of lightness. Their polished surfaces contrast sufficiently against the complex background of the movement and the Slate Green elements, ensuring the time can be read clearly despite the intricate visuals beneath them.
Seamlessly attached to the case is the integrated stainless steel bracelet, a hallmark of the Tonda PF collection. Its design features fluid, tapering links that conform comfortably to the wrist. The finishing on the bracelet, typically a combination of satin-brushed surfaces with polished accents on the link edges, mirrors the finishing found on the watch case, creating a cohesive and unified aesthetic throughout the entire piece. The clasp is typically a folding type, ensuring security.
With its 40mm diameter and slender 8.5mm thickness, the Tonda PF Skeleton Slate Green is designed for comfortable daily wear. The proportions strike a balance between presence and discretion, suitable for a variety of wrist sizes and occasions. The 100-meter water resistance rating adds a degree of practicality, ensuring the watch is protected against everyday encounters with moisture, though it remains fundamentally a piece of mechanical art rather than a dedicated dive watch.
The strictly limited nature of this edition cannot be overstated. With only 50 pieces being produced globally, the Tonda PF Skeleton Slate Green is destined for a select group of enthusiasts. This rarity significantly adds to its desirability among collectors who value exclusivity alongside technical and aesthetic merit.
Courtesy of Parmigiani Fleurier
This watch appeals directly to discerning individuals who appreciate the intersection of high watchmaking, architectural design principles, and contemporary aesthetics. It is for those who understand the skill involved in skeletonization and value the meticulous finishing that defines Haute Horlogerie. The unique Slate Green colorway further targets collectors looking for something distinct within the Tonda PF lineage and the broader market for skeletonized watches.
The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Skeleton Slate Green, reference PFC912-1020002-100182, is priced at CHF 65,000. Prospective buyers should note that availability is slated for May 2025. Given the extremely limited production run of just 50 units, acquiring one will likely require prompt action through authorized Parmigiani Fleurier retailers or boutiques once it becomes available.
Case: Stainless steel case with 950 Platinum knurled bezel. Diameter Ø 40.0 mm, thickness 8.5 mm. ARunic anti-reflective sapphire crystal front, sapphire crystal case back. Water resistance 100m.
Movement: Calibre PF777, automatic winding. Skeletonized. Diameter Ø 30.0 mm (13 '''), thickness 3.9 mm. Frequency 4 Hz (28,800 A/H), 60-hour power reserve. 144 components, 29 jewels. Hand-bevelled and satin finishes. White gold oscillating weight.
Dial: Skeletonized in Slate Green color. Vertical satin-finished elements. Indices are 18ct gold rhodium-plated appliques. Delta-shaped hours and minutes hands.
Strap: Integrated stainless steel bracelet.
Price: CHF 65,000
Reference Number: PFC912-1020002-100182
Notes: Strictly limited to 50 pieces. Slate Green color inspired by Le Corbusier’s architectural palette. Availability planned for May 2025.