At SIHH in Geneva this year, Parmigiani Fleurier has brought out a new skeletonized ultra-thin watch: the Parmigiani Tonda 1950 Squelette. It gives a clear view of the new PF 705 movement. Here’s a look at the new SIHH release, originally published on my blog, Watch-Insider.com.
The skeletonized PF 705 movement is just 2.6 mm thick and 30 mm in diameter. It has a 42-hour power reserve and beats at 21,600 vph. It has 144 components, including 29 jewels. PF 705 is an automatic caliber. It makes use of a platinum micro-rotor, which is visible through the back of the case at the top right. (Thanks to the openworked design it can also be seen through the front.) The mainplate and the bridges of the movement have been openworked to increase visibility. The work is done completely by hand at Parmigiani’s Fleurier manufacture, and it involves the precise formation of very delicate angles.
The Tonda 1950 Squelette has hours and minutes functions. The pointed hands are coated with luminous material. The hands are similar in design to those of the original Tonda 1950, which Parmigiani debuted in 2010, but the Squelette does not have a seconds hand as that earlier watch did. The hour indexes are rhodium-plated appliqués that extend from the flange towards the center of the dial. As to dial: the Tonda 1950 Squelette may appear to be dial-less, but not so. An invisible sapphire crystal is placed above the movement and under the hands. It has a metallic rim, which serves to hide the points of contact between the movement and the case. At the top of this rim you can see the Parmigiani Fleurier logo. The watch is moderately sized so it can be worn by men and women. The case is 39 mm in diameter, and 7.8 mm thick. It comes in rose gold or white gold. The strap is made by Hermès, which has a working relationship with Parmigiani. It is made of alligator leather and comes in black or tan.
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 42 hours
Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vph)
Movement diameter: 13 ¼ lignes; 30.0 mm diameter
Movement thickness: 2.6 mm
Components: 144
Jewels: 29
Barrel(s): 1
Decoration: Hand-bevelled main plate, hand-drawn strokes decoration
Functions: Hours and minutes
Case shape: 3-part round case
Case dimensions: 39 mm diameter
Case thickness: 7.8 mm
Material: 18 karat white gold or rose gold
Finishing: Polished
Water resistance: 30 m
Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Crown: 4.3 mm diameter
Caseback: Sapphire crystal
Caseback engraving: Individual number
Dial material: Sapphire crystal
Indexes: Rhodium-plated appliques
Finishing: Polished
Hands: Delta-shaped with luminous coating
Strap material: Alligator leather
Colour: Black or tan
Brand: Hermès
Buckle type: Ardillon
