20 AND COUNTING

PARMIGIANI FLEURIER

Parmigiani Fleurier is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2016. To fete this significant milestone, the watchmaker has released the Tonda Chronor Anniversaire, featuring the PF361, its first integrated chronograph movement. Despite being quite ubiquitous, the chronograph function is a complex mechanism that is subject to wear and tear due to the fact that it is required to start and stop on demand. Most chronographs you see on the market are modules that have been fitted on existing movements; Parmigiani took on the challenge to engineer a chronograph function from scratch. The engineers were given one caveat: no modules at all. Hence, all the components for the chronograph, split-seconds function and the big date are constructed within the same parameters and plate. Two column wheels—regarded as the superior alternative to cams—are used for the chronograph and the split seconds function.

Additionally, the movement has been crafted in all-gold to commemorate the watchmaker’s 20th anniversary. Yes, you read that right: the movement is entirely constructed in gold, a material that is easily malleable. The manufacture had to recalibrate all its existing machines to process the gold components. This Tonda Chronor Anniversaire with the gold movement is available in a limited edition of 25 pieces in white gold or rose gold, and comes with either a white enamel or blue enamel dial. To sweeten the deal, founder Michel Parmigiani has inscribed his name on the movement.

Parmigiani took on the challenge to engineer a chronograph function from scratch. The engineers were given one caveat: no modules at all