Natural Symmetry: Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronomètre Slate

Parmigiani Fleurier re-released the Toric Chronomètre, a modern revamp of the first watch designed by its eponymous founder, Michel Parmigiani, in 2017, basing the aesthetic elements of the dial and case on the so-called Golden Ratio. At this year’s SIHH, the newest version of the model, the Toric Chronomètre Slate, takes its creator’s dedication to that classical design principle a step further with its newly designed, slate-colored guilloché dial with a spiral pattern inspired by nature.

The concentrically patterned scales of a pine cone, one of the many examples of the Golden Ratio found in the natural world, were the inspiration for the dial decoration. It was achieved by an artisanal engraving technique that produces the repeating decorative motif, also evocative, so says Michel Parmigiani, of Fibonacci’s spirals from the world of science. Sweeping over the dial’s expanse are two semi-openworked, javelin-shaped hands with luminous coating; 18k rose-gold hour indices; a date display in an arc-shaped window at 6 o’clock; an elliptical Parmigiani logo at 12 o’clock, and the word “Chronomètre” at 6 o’clock, denoting the watch as having passed the rigorous accuracy tests of the Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, or COSC.

The tripartite case measures 40.8 mm in diameter and 9.5 mm thick, and is made of 18k rose gold with an elegant polished finish. Like the original Toric watch, the case is inspired by Ancient Greek columns; with knurling and gadroons embellishing its curved contours.Beating beneath the clear sapphire caseback is Parmigiani’s manufacture Caliber PF-441, self-winding with a 28,800-vph frequency, a 55-hour power reserve stored in two mainspring barrels, and top-shelf horological decoration, including cotes de Genève on the plates and hand beveling on the bridges. As has become customary with Parmigiani timepieces, the Toric Chronomètre comes on an alligator leather strap made by Hermes, here in a tan color that harmonizes with the gray tones of the dial.