Parmigiani Fleurier might be best known for their classically elegant timepieces but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to create great sports-luxe watches as well. The Tonda GT from last year set the benchmark and now they’ve expanded the GT line-up to include two new Tondagraphs with panda dials, making for some of the sportiest watches in the collection to date.
Tondagraph GT Steel Silver-Black
The Steel Silver Black has a 42mm case in satin-polished stainless steel and captures an attractive sports-luxe aesthetic that hits the sweet spot of rugged sportiness and refinement. The oversize crown and pushers are offset by the fluted bezel, which a unique feature of the Tondagraph GT within the wider Tonda range.
What makes this version stand out from its predecessor is its new, bicolour panda dial – a classic silver and black chronograph design that is lauded for its high-contrast readability. Parmigiani Fleurier have given it a luxurious twist by lavishing the panda with clou triangulaire guilloché, an intricate motif of tiny triangles that are stylish and dynamic.
Housed inside the steel version is the Calibre PF043, a combined chronograph and annual calendar movement with a 45-hour power reserve and côte de genève finishing that is visible through the display caseback. The unusual combination of complications results in a display with the traditional chronograph readouts on the subdials at 6 and 9, while the 3 o’clock subdial contains a dual running seconds and month display, with the date in an aperture below 12.
Ref: PFC906-0000140-X01482 (stainless steel case, rubber strap), PFC906-0000140-B00182 (stainless steel case, stainless steel bracelet) | Case/dial: 42mm diameter x 13.7mm height, stainless steel case, silver and black dial with “Guilloché Clou triangulaire” finishing | Water resistance: 100m | Movement: In-house PF043 calibre, automatic, 56 jewels, 443 parts | Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz) | Power reserve: 45h | Functions: Hours, minutes, small second, date, chronograph, calendrier annuel | Strap: Stainless steel or black rubber strap | Price: $20,400 USD (stainless steel case, rubber strap), $21,500 USD (stainless steel case, stainless steel bracelet) (approx. £14,380/£15,150)
Tondagraph GT Rose Gold Silver-Black
In contrast, the rose gold version has a classic tri-compax display without the additional months, controlled by the COSC certified PF071 calibre that has a 65-hour power reserve and equally exquisite finishing. Although, despite the alterations to the subdials it still features the new panda style dial.
The rose gold version is available on a choice of solid gold bracelet or sporty black rubber strap. A choice that is also offered on the steel model with the exception that the bracelet is in matching stainless steel, not gold.
Ref: PFC903-1500140-X01482 (18k rose gold case, rubber strap), PFC903-1500140-B10082 (18k rose gold case, 18k rose gold bracelet) | Case/dial: 42mm diameter x 14.3mm height, 18k rose gold, silver and black dial with “Guilloché Clou triangulaire” finishing | Water resistance: 100m | Movement: In-house PF071-COSC, automatic, 42 jewels, 311 parts | Frequency: 36,000 vph (5 Hz) | Power reserve: 65h | Functions: Hours, minutes, small second, date, chronograph | Strap: 18k rose gold bracelet or black rubber strap | Price: $45,300 USD (18k rose gold case, rubber strap), $72,500 USD (18k rose gold case, 18k rose gold bracelet) (approx. £32,000/£51,100)
While the majority of features on these Tondagraph GTs, like the cases and movements, are somewhat familiar to us they’re still fresh and exciting considering the sporty GT variation only appeared last year. While it would be nice for these additions to introduce more than just a panda dial to the collection, they do contribute an extra layer of detail to the sports-luxe balance that Parmigiani Fleurier have proved they’re great at.
I tend to like my sport-luxe on the sportier side, so I’m naturally drawn to the Steel Silver Black, not that I can currently afford one at $20,400 on the strap or $21,500 on bracelet (approx. £14,380/£15,150). But at least I have more chance at picking up one of those instead of the Rose Gold Silver Black which is a wallet-crunching $45,300 or $72,500 depending on strap or bracelet (£32,000/£51,100).
More details at Parmigiani.
