A Tribute Edition: Parmigiani Fleurier TONDA Split-Seconds Chronograph 20th Anniversary "Golden Movement" Special Edition

      To celebrate the brand's 20th anniversary,Parmigiani Fleurierintroduces a brand new integrated chronograph movement. In contemporary watchmaking, few manufactures can achieve such a pinnacle of craftsmanship, and Parmigiani Fleurier pays tribute to chronograph tradition with its first anniversary model featuring “ a gold movement ”.

       “ From the moment I entered the watchmaking industry, creating an integrated chronograph has been a constant dream in my heart. As the brand reaches its 20 year, this dream of an integrated chronograph has become a reality. This is by no means a coincidence, but rather the reflection of a manufacture's developmental journey. Successfully crafting an integrated chronograph first requires mastering the assembly of its constituent parts, which is an astonishing and meticulous process: one must master not only the manufacture of the movement, but also its core operation and functions; whether its limitations or its potential, all must be thoroughly understood. For this reason, only experienced manufactures are able to build an integrated chronograph. The Tonda Split-Seconds Chronograph is the culmination of Parmigiani Fleurier's 20 years of watchmaking experience. ”

Michel • Parmigiani

Conquering the Mount Everest of watchmaking

        For any watchmaker, an integrated chronograph is considered “ the holy grail ” because, on an industrial scale, it is one of the most technically demanding complications. The power of a chronograph comes from a continuous sequence of actions, where each action determines and triggers the next, and each sequence must be precisely synchronised and adjusted. Even the tiniest flaw will produce a chain reaction, like dominoes, throwing the entire movement into chaos.

        This new chronograph demands exceptional skill, demonstrating the limitless developmental potential of the Parmigiani Fleurier manufacture. This achievement is a symbol of professional watchmaking expertise, looking back to remind us that the watchmaking process accomplished through years of accumulated experience is truly unparalleled. It is a masterpiece born from the collaborative efforts of watchmakers, technicians, and artisans.

Crafting an integrated chronograph

        The fundamental principle of an integrated chronograph is that, without adding extra modules, every component must be integrated onto a single mainplate within the movement. Starting from a “ blank sheet of paper ”, following a careful and meticulous R&D phase, drafting and optimisation led to the birth of Parmigiani Fleurier's first integrated chronograph movement. This manual-winding movement integrates the chronograph, split-seconds function, and big date display entirely onto the same mainplate.

        This PF361 movement encompasses numerous cutting-edge designs with further enhanced reliability, showcasing the pinnacle of watchmaking craftsmanship.

- 5 Hz movement – 36, 000 vibrations per hour

        The higher the frequency, the more accurate the chronograph. A frequency of 5 hertz is exceptionally rare for such a movement, meaning the chronograph seconds hand beats ten times per second (advancing in ten steps) to achieve 1/10-second accuracy. Unlike lower-frequency chronograph movements which may lack consistency, the rate of the PF361 movement is less susceptible to external factors such as gravity or shocks, resulting in a smoother, more fluid hand sweep.

- Use of a column wheel instead of a cam

        The movement is arranged around a central column wheel, which acts as the nerve centre of the chronograph, synchronising all components. More difficult to manufacture and considerably rarer than a standard cam, the column wheel imparts an elegance to the movement befitting its level of craftsmanship. When operating, the smoother performance of the column wheel is immediately apparent, a quality known as chronograph trigger engineering.

        This movement features two column wheels, one controlling the basic chronograph functions and the other driving the split-seconds function, ensuring they operate in perfect synchronisation.

- Use of a vertical clutch instead of a horizontal clutch

        While difficult to manufacture, the vertical clutch is technically more accurate than its counterpart, — the horizontal clutch. The vertical clutch ensures that the chronograph starts instantly without any minor initial judder.

- Dual-supported — “ bridge ” securing the balance wheel, replacing the traditional single-point fixture

        Secured at two connection points on the left and right, the bridge holds the balance wheel firmly in place, making it considerably more robust and stable while greatly enhancing shock resistance during operation. As timing is essentially a sporting complication, shock resistance must be a primary consideration.

          Furthermore, the height of this mounting is adjustable, allowing precise alignment with other movement components and fully safeguarding assembly precision.

Split-seconds function

        This complication enhances the chronograph's ability to measure intermediate intervals simultaneously and is seamlessly integrated into the PF361 movement. Its operating principle involves the simultaneous movement and separate stopping of the central chronograph hand and the split-seconds hand to time two or more moving objects concurrently. A split-seconds hand is superimposed over the central chronograph seconds hand on the dial, perfectly aligned with it. Both hands remain aligned when started, stopped and reset. When the chronograph pusher is pressed, both hands start moving together, appearing as a single hand. When the first moving object reaches its target, pressing the split-seconds pusher stops the split-seconds hand while the central chronograph hand continues running, allowing the time taken by the first object to be read from the split-seconds hand. Pressing the split-seconds pusher on the crown subsequently catches the split-seconds hand back up with the central chronograph hand so they continue running together. This operation can be repeated as many times as required.

        The split-seconds mechanism is driven by the movement's second column wheel via a mechanical linkage designed to couple the split-seconds hand with the chronograph's central seconds hand for interval timing via a clutch. This complex construction adds a second gear train to the chronograph's functions, presenting a formidable challenge in adjustment.

Big date

         This movement incorporates a big date function integrated directly into the calibre rather than added via an extra modular component. This development was designed to keep the movement as slim as possible while maintaining technical reliability.

        Incorporating a big date into an integrated chronograph movement requires careful management of spatial limitations, presenting a challenge for the layout of internal components. The watchmakers therefore maximised the available surface area to create the ideal space to house a 13 mm dial. Positioned at the 12 o'clock position, the big date display sits behind gold-trimmed dual discs.

Special commemorative gold movement

          The release of the first integrated chronograph coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Parmigiani Fleurier brand. To highlight the prestige of this commemorative edition, the debut models are equipped with a solid gold movement. Every aspect of watchmaking involving gold is extremely complex; gold adheres to tools, possesses malleability yet warps easily, requiring all machinery to be recalibrated and cutting parameters entirely altered. Successfully crafting such a delicate movement in gold is a true testament to the technical achievements of the Parmigiani Fleurier brand.

        Its finishing is every bit as impressive as its technical complexity, with the entire movement taking over 50 hours to meticulously hand-finish. The movement bridges radiate outwards from the balance wheel, framing it centrally like a work of art. The open-worked bridges reveal the mechanism in action, alongside two symmetrical column wheels parallel to the crown stem. Finished with a frosted, sandblasted texture, the inner angles of the bridges play cleverly with the light, appearing even more striking against the golden backdrop.

Design

        The Tonda split-seconds chronograph, equipped with a gold movement, is available in either a white gold or rose gold case. To commemorate the special occasion of the Parmigiani brand's 20th anniversary, each version is limited to 25 pieces, for a total of 50 pieces.

        The dial is dressed in “ grand feu ” enamel, with two distinct shades paired with the corresponding cases. The first is white—a unique shade exclusive to Parmigiani Fleurier—whose glowing, flawless texture can only be achieved through enamel. The second is a deep blue which, depending on the angle and lighting, reveals subtle hints of a mysterious deep purple. Known as “Bleu Roi” (Royal Blue), this hue is a brand-new addition to Parmigiani Fleurier's palette, developed specifically for the Tonda Split-Seconds Chronograph.

        Another distinctive feature of this model is the pin buckle —, which incorporates Parmigiani Fleurier's signature teardrop lug profile to enhance this anniversary timepiece, an innovative design that will subsequently be featured on numerous future models.

        Lastly, as the most distinctive feature of this anniversary timepiece, Mr Michel • Parmigiani's signature is engraved on the barrel drum, surrounded by numerous lug motifs (the most iconic profile of a Parmigiani watch). This signature and its surrounding elements are not simply engraved, but created by using laser technology to lower the entire surrounding surface, allowing the signature design to stand out. As the barrel slowly rotates on its axis through the skeletonised gold movement, this iconic design is gradually revealed, making for a delightful sight.

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