Traditionally, the Toric family of timepieces has included the most grand complications of all the Parmigiani Fleurier collections.
2017 sees the brand return to its roots as it unveils the Toric Chronomètre, a contemporary interpretation of the first watch designed by Michel Parmigiani.
Hours, minutes, seconds and date – simplicity is the watch’s hallmark, harking back to the model that founded the brand in 1996.
Since its beginnings, the bezel has been the key element of the Toric, and this is still the case with the 2017 model. The bezel alternates gadroons and knurling, which Michel Parmigiani based on ancient Greek architecture.
Added to this he used inspiration from a pointed shell in the shape of a spiral, which he’d discovered on a beach in Malaysia, which alternates gadroons and knurling. Michel Parmigiani based this design on the structure of a Doric column, the purest symbol of ancient Greek architecture. Using this as a starting point, he added inspiration from a discovery made on one of his journeys: a pointed shell in the shape of a spiral, found on a beach in Malaysia.
The bezel’s knurling – the Toric’s signature – is created by the only craftsman in Val-de-Travers to possess this skill; he has been working with Michel Parmigiani since 1996.
This art consists of manipulating the material with a wheel that leaves the imprint of its notches in the metal. It requires the craftsman to be both delicate and firm.
The new Toric Chronomètre has been redesigned so that the case sits more snugly on the wrist. The curved contours inject dynamism into the design and the lugs are more comfortable to wear.
The case, available in white or red gold, encloses the COSC-certified PF331 proprietary calibre, whose components have all been painstakingly decorated.
The dials are available in black opaline or a white grained version, a skill that creates a captivating texture by hand-brushing the surface of the dial with a silver powder mixture.
These two dials are brought to life by two slender Javelin hands, a date, a very subtle minute track around the circumference, and Arabic numerals with proportions that emphasise this elegance.
The Toric Chronomètre pays homage to the founding design of Michel Parmigiani and reinforces, yet further, the codes that have been the signature of the brand’s designs since 1996.
This special timepiece’s retail price is £14,800. For any enquiries call Atelier Parmigiani on: 020 7495 5172.
