Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Split-Seconds Chronograph Reviewed by Tim Mosso

Credits: Article and images by Tim Mosso @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/03/29/parmigiani-fleurier-tonda-pf-split-seconds-chronograph-reviewed-by-tim-mosso/

—————————————————————————————————–

Patek Philippe 5270P Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Reviewed by Tim Mosso

Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonance explained by Armin Strom’s Chief Watchmaker Claude Greisler on The Watches TV (Video)

Skeletonizing the former automatic mounting bridge opens the chronograph mechanism to inspection. At center, the rattrapante mechanism’s pincers flank the split-seconds wheel. Twin steel column wheels of the sequencing system gleam to mirrored perfection, and the tactile qualities of the chronograph operation are outstanding.

Santin finished steel chronograph levers visible on the back of the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Split-Seconds Chronograph

Steel levers, horns, and hammers of the chronograph system are exquisitely satin brushed on their tops and micro-beveled on their flanks.

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Split-Seconds Chronograph

Parmigiani backs its ultimate chronograph with the authority of an integrated but unconventional manufacture. While other vertical manufactures as large as Rolex and as small as De Bethune house all faculties under one banner, the Parmigiani group of businesses exist as quasi-autonomous operations serving both the house brand and external clients.

Parmigiani is the unifying marque; Vaucher Manufacture is responsible for movements; Les Artisans Boîtiers handles cases and external parts; Quadrance et Habillage provides dial assemblies; Atokalpa is a wheel and train specialist; Elwin is an engine-turning specialist focused on screws, staffs, pivots, and other lathe-derived products.

In 2024, there is no shortage of options for the collector who desires an integrated-band sports watch. But it’s always lonely at the top, and that’s precisely where Parmigiani Fleurier has staked its ground with the Tonda PF Split-Seconds Chronograph. Standard sports watches from the Swiss “Holy Trinity,” A. Lange & Söhne, and upstarts like Czapek don’t play in this league.

The Tonda PF Split comes down from Olympus solely to do battle with the likes of Greubel Forsey, Richard Mille, De Bethune, and the handful of Audemars Piguet galácticos that bear an APRP signature.

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Split-Seconds Chronograph

Among this rarefied company, the Tonda PF Split stands out as a unique statement from an auteur independent. Despite its hype-watch genre, this chronograph opts out of the rat race.

It’s a heart-seeking missile aimed solely at the premier-league collector whose social media exposure is inversely proportional to his thirst for quality.

For more information, please visit www.parmigiani.com/en/watches/tonda-pf-split-seconds-chronograph-rose-gold-grey/

Quick Facts: Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Split-Seconds Chronograph
Edition: 5 pieces
Reference Code: PFS9162010003-200182
Case: platinum; 42mm; 15.2mm thick; 53.3mm from end link-to-end link; 100-meters WR; push down crown
Clasp: Platinum and white gold folding clasp: double deployant with triggers
Dial: Platinum with salmon color; white gold hour and minute “delta” hands; hour indices date frame; pulsometric scale; chronograph hands in blue
Movement: Caliber PF361; manual wind with 65-hour power reserve; single barrel; 5Hz beat rate; hacking seconds; quickset date; split seconds by twin column wheels and vertical clutch; 18k rose gold bridges and plates; full balance bridge; free-sprung balance;
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, split-seconds chronograph; grande date; 30.6mm diameter; 8.4mm thickness
2023 Retail Price: $240,000
2024 Preowned Price: $120,000

* Tim Mosso is the media director and watch specialist at Watchbox. You can check out his very comprehensive YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@WatchBoxStudios/videos.