WATCH TO WATCH

Entering a New Phase: Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 Lune


Parmigiani Fleurier has had a prolific 2017, introducing — among other notables — a back-to-basics version of its Toric Chronomètre, a new meteorite-dial timepiece, and a redesigned Métrographe. Just recently, the brand unveiled another piece that caught our eye, the Tonda 1950 Lune, which combines a distinctive moon-phase function with a large date aperture.

Parmigiani Tonda 1950 Lune - front

The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 Lune is powered by manufacture Caliber PF708, an ultra-thin, automatic movement with a micro-rotor and a 48-hour power reserve. This highly decorated horological engine is ensconced inside a three-part, round, polished-steel case, measuring 39.10 mm in diameter and just 9.6 mm thick. The case features the Tonda collection’s hallmark concave lugs and a crown that is slightly larger than in previous models.

Parmigiani Tonda 1950 Lune - reclining
Parmigiani Tonda 1950 Lune - lugs CU

The watch’s most eye-catching features, of course, are elegantly staged on the shiny black opaline dial, studded with rhodium-plated hour appliqués and traversed by Parmigiani’s Delta-shaped, luminous-coated hour and minute hands. The large, unconventional moon-phase indicator at 12 o’clock displays both of Earth’s hemispheres and a calibrated scale that corresponds to an actual lunar month, or 29 1/2 days. Showing the current moon-phase by means of four rose-gold disks — one for each quarter of the lunar cycle, i.e., new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter — this indicator requires correction only once every three years.

Parmigiani Tonda 1950 Lune - moon-phase CU
Parmigiani Tonda 1950 Lune - date CU

Balancing out the moon-phase display at 6 o’clock is a small-seconds subdial whose lower segment is pierced by a large date aperture — the first time this function has been added to this model. The caseback has a sapphire window that allows a view of Caliber PF708, with its beveled bridges and hand-applied finishes, including côtes de Genève on the bridges and Parmigiani’s distinctive barley grain decorative pattern on the micro-rotor. The watch’s predominantly black look is completed by the matte black alligator leather strap, which has a deployant buckle with a five-position adjustment system for maximum comfort. The price is $12,900.

Parmigiani Tonda 1950 Lune - movement CU
Parmigiani Tonda 1950 Lune - flat
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