Just a year ago, we were talking to you about the updates to the Parmigiani Tonda lineup (you can see that here). Well, here we are one year later, and we’ve got a few updates. Last year’s chronograph was a limited edition, but this time around, it seems like those production limits have been lifted. And while I’m still not much of a chronograph guy, the Parmigiani Tondagraph GT in rose gold could have me swayed a bit.
These releases of the Parmigiani Tondagraph GT have the same movement inside, the PF043. In terms of frequency (4 Hz) and power reserve (45 hours) and even decoration, these are nothing particularly to write home about. Not that I’m against movement decoration, but these are things we’ve seen before. What I do particularly like (and write home – to you all – about) is the annual calendar complication. Keep this wound up, and it’ll keep showing the correct date – always a good thing in my mind.
In terms of overall design, the Parmigiani Tondagraph GT is the same as what we saw last year as well – same case, same bracelet, and same dial layout. That said, I do like the lines of the case and bracelet, and thing those shouldn’t change. What has changed from last year to this is the dial treatment. Here we’ve gone to the classic Panda look, with a white/silver dial set against black subdials and (lumed) indices. It’s clean, it’s crisp, and it’s lovely.
Particularly, the steel version of the Parmigiani Tondagraph GT is what I picture when I think of a steel sports chronograph. However, with the addition of an 18ct rose gold case, the design has been elevated. Myself, just as I’m not much for chronographs, I’m also not much for gold on a watch. Rose gold, though, that I dig. It gives you that splash of color that approaches copper, but done, well, luxuriously. If I were to ever get a high-end chronograph, this is the sort of watch I’d be looking at, in rose gold on the rose gold bracelet.
I mean, why not go all the way? If you do the full rose gold package, you’re looking at $72,500. I know I’m never hitting that pricepoint, so it’s the sort of thing that you like to just dream about, or play “what if” scenarios. Sure, my practical side would look at the various debts to pay off and the future schooling costs for kids. But, if you’re just daydreaming, why not a totally crazy metal like rose gold for a watch and turn that dial all the way up to 11?
If you want to save some cheddar, you could also get the rose gold Parmigiani Tondagraph GT on a rubber strap for $43,500, but to that I say – why even bother. Go all in, friend! Or, play it safe with the steel version, which is $20,400 on the rubber (again, why bother) or $21,500 on the steel bracelet. If you’re looking for a way to show how well you’ve done over the last year and a half – and don’t feel like building a spaceship with questionable lines – I can’t think of a better way to show off while simultaneously flying under the radar than the Parmigiani Tondagraph GT. Just, if you get the rose gold version, promise to let me try it on once, alright? parmigiani.com
Tech Specs from Parmigiani
Tondagraph GT Steel Silver Black
- Price: $21,500 on bracelet, $20,400 on strap
- CALIBER
- PF043 – AUTOMATIC WINDING MANUFACTURE MOVEMENT WITH ANNUAL CALENDAR
- Power reserve: 45 hours
- Frequency: 28,800 Vph (4 Hz)
- Jewels: 56
- No. of components: 443
- Diameter: 30.0 mm
- Thickness: 7.4 mm
- Decoration: côtes de Genève and perlage
- Oscillating weight: skeletonized, 22ct rose gold, sand-blasted and satin-finished
- CASE
- Polished and satin-finished stainless steel with knurled bezel Diameter: 42 mm
- Thickness: 13.7 mm
- Crown: Ø 7.2 mm, screwed-in
- Glass: ARunic anti-reflective sapphire
- Case back: sapphire glass Engraving on case back: individual number
- Water resistance: 100 m
- DIAL
- Colour: silver with black ceramic subdials
- Finishing: guilloché clou triangulaire
- Indices: hand-applied rhodium-plated appliques with black luminescent coating
- HANDS: Skeletonized delta-shaped with black luminescent coating
- STRAP/BRACELET
- (PFC906-0000140-X01482) – black vulcanized rubber strap
- (PFC906-0000140-B00182) – polished and satin-finished stainless steel bracelet
- Closure: folding clasp in stainless steel
Tondagraph GT Rose Gold Silver Black
- Price: $72,500 on bracelet, $45,300 on strap
- CALIBER
- PF071 – COSC-CERTIFIED MANUFACTURE AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT WITH INTEGRATED CHRONOGRAPH AND BIG DATE DISPLAY
- Power reserve: 65 hours
- Frequency: 36,000 Vph (5 Hz)
- Jewels: 42
- No. of components: 331
- Diameter: 30.6 mm
- Thickness: 8 mm
- Decoration: satin-finished open worked bridges, hand-beveled edges
- Oscillating weight: skeletonized, 22ct rose gold, sand-blasted and satin-finished
- CASE
- Polished and satin-finished 18ct rose gold with knurled bezel Diameter: 42 mm
- Thickness: 14.3 mm
- Crown: Ø 7.2 mm, screwed-in
- Glass: ARunic anti-reflective sapphire
- Case back: sapphire glass Engraving on case back: individual number
- Water resistance: 100 m
- DIAL
- Color: silver with black ceramic subdials
- Finishing: guilloché clou triangulaire
- Indices: hand-applied 18ct rose gold appliques with black luminescent coating
- HANDS: Skeletonized delta-shaped with black luminescent coating
- STRAP/BRACELET
- (PFC903-1500140-X01482) – black vulcanized rubber strap
- (PFC903-1500140-B10082) – polished and satin-finished 18ct rose gold bracelet
- Closure: folding clasp in 18ct rose gold
