Originally introduced at the 2017 SIHH event, the Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Hemispheres Retrograde watch marked the luxury watch brand’s mission to break into the world of travel watches. The mission was certainly a successful one with the original pink gold model awarded the “Time Travel” prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève the same year. Twelve months later and the two time-zone aesthetic returned, this time dressed in stainless steel and an ink-black dial. Now, as part of their Geneva Watch Days 2021 releases, the brand has launched yet another stainless steel Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Hemispheres Retrograde watch, just this time with a handsome blue guilloche centrepiece.
So, what’s so special about the Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Hemispheres Retrograde? Truthfully, quite a lot. It’s not only a stunning dress piece but it holds one of the watch manufacturer’s most masterful movements. The PF317 calibre operates at 4Hz and comes with two barrels coupled in series to provide a consistent power distribution for over 50 hours. One of the 316 components also includes a special complication module developed alongside Agenhor which allows for the multiple time zone and retrograde date indications. The module is also responsible for the allowing the two time zones to be set to the minute by a dedicated crown at 2 o’clock. By pulling out said crown, the module disengages from the movement meaning it can be independently adjustment to the second time zone to the nearest minute. When the crown is pressed back in, the movement and the module re-engage and the second time zone is re-indexed to the first so that they operate concurrently with the desired interval. Impressive right? Meanwhile, the main crown at 9 o’clock can be used to wind the movement and set the time of the two paired time zones.
Now let’s take you on a tour of the stunning blue guilloche dial of the new Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Hemispheres Retrograde watch. At the very centre of the dial are three hands, the first two are silvered javelin-shaped luminescent coated hands pointing to the hours and minutes. The third, with its red-coloured, crescent moon-shaped tip displays the retrograde calendar complication, a complication which once the date moves towards the last days of the month cleverly springs back with such a force that it cannot be seen by the naked eye. At 12 o’clock a subsidiary dial reveals the second time zone and next to it is a corresponding day/night indication. At 6 o’clock, the local time day/night indication is displayed at the centre of the small seconds.
Other than its fresh new dial colour, the Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Hemispheres Retrograde Blue watch mirrors that of its previous counterparts with a 42.8mm stainless steel diameter, a height of 11.9mm and a water resistance of 30 metres. Circling the sapphire crystal glass treated with anti-reflective treatment is the iconic stepped bezel as seen on all Parmigiani Fleurier Toric watches. Turn the timepiece over and you can admire the automatic winding movement hard at work through the sapphire crystal case back alongside the it’s superb finishes. The decorations include Geneva stripes, bevelled bridges and a stunning 22 carat gold oscillating rotor engraved and stamped with the initials PF. Completing the Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Hemispheres Retrograde watch is a blue alligator leather strap and a stainless steel folding buckle.
For more information on the new Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Hemispheres Retrograde Blue watch and to order your own, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with our team of luxury watch specialists by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications: Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Hemispheres Retrograde Blue Watch (PFC901-1020001-300182)
- Case Size: 42.8mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed, stepped
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 30 metres
- Movement: Calibre PF317 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, retrograde date, second time zone, day/night indication
- Power Reserve: 50 hours
- Jewels: 28
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Blue guilloche with opaline snailed counters, silver appliques and javelin-shaped luminescent hands
- Strap: Blue alligator leather
- Buckle: Folding
- RRP: £16,000
