If you are looking for a stylish GMT watch to match your business attire may we suggest to have a look at the new Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Hémisphères Rétrograde? This watch comes with two separate full time indications and day/night indicators. Individually set by seperate crowns. On top of that it comes with a retrograde date. Part of the movement can be seen trough the sapphire caseback which adapts to the winding rotor.
This watch for sure is something different from the usual multiple time-zone watches. On top of that it’s made with the level of detail as we know from Parmigiani Fleurier. Have a look at the detail images and let us know what you think. More information in the press release below. Retail price for this watch is € 25.900,- at the moment of publication.
A WORLD FIRST INSPIRED BY A RESTORED PIECE
It was a restored piece that inspired Parmigiani Fleurier to add the GMT complication to its collection. Parmigiani Fleurier’s restoration workshops had been entrusted with a pocket watch containing two movements inside one case, each responsible for its own time zone. This sparked a desire to create a timepiece that incorporated the same accuracy of display in the reduced space of a watch case too small to house two separate movements. Michel Parmigiani found an elegant solution to this limitation by constructing a single calibre that controls two time zones, each accurate to the nearest minute. The Tonda Hémisphères released by Parmigiani Fleurier in 2010 was a world first. In 2017, the brand is extending this exceptional movement to the Toric collection, its founding model, to add a dimension of travel to its elegant and timeless aesthetics.
CALIBRE PF317
The Toric Hémisphères Rétrograde has two time zones, each accurate to the nearest minute. A module is indexed to the main movement in order to govern the second time zone. By pulling out the small crown at 2 o’clock, the module is disengaged from the movement, meaning that it can be adjusted independently of 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 simultaneously with the desired interval. The main crown at 4 o’clock is used to wind the movement and set the time of the two paired time zones, such as the date. Each of the time zones is associated with a window, which provides the day/night indication so that the time of day can be read in an instant for each time zone.
The calibre PF 317 also features an instant retrograde calendar, indicated by the third central hand. As it moves towards the last days of the month, the hand activates a spring which drives it back to number 1 with great force. This 240° movement is so fast that it cannot be seen with the naked eye. This self-winding movement has a double series-mounted barrel for improved isochronism and rate regularity, with a power reserve of 50 hours.
UNDERSTATED YET CAPTIVATING AESTHETICS
The dial of the Toric Hémisphères Rétrograde is designed so that the most important functions stand out the most in a very specific hierarchy. Firstly, the hands of the main time zone, plated in 4N gold, are coated with Super-LumiNova® to make them luminous and more prominent. Meanwhile, the hands of the second time zone are rhodium-plated to present a more discreet shade. Finally, the date indication stands out thanks to fine numerals that are large enough to ensure good legibility. They are indicated by a hand ending in a red crescent moon. The rest of the dial is understated, discreet and harmonious to avoid any distractions when reading these key temporal indications.
The Toric Hémisphère Rétrograde is available with a rose gold case paired with a grained white dial. On the back of the piece, the movement is entirely decorated with Côtes de Genève and circular-grained to the highest Haute Horlogerie standards. It incorporates an 22 ct rose gold guilloché oscillating weight to add a prestigious touch befitting of a timepiece dedicated to travel.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
REFERENCES PFC493-1002400-HA1442
MOVEMENT
PF317
Winding: Self-winding
Power reserve: 50 hours
Frequency: 4 Hz – 28,800 Vib/h
Dimensions: 15 ¾”’ – Ø 35.6 mm
Thickness: 5.45 mm
Components: 316
Jewels: 28
Barrel(s): 2 series-coupled barrels
Decoration: “Côtes de Genève” decoration, bevelled bridges
FUNCTIONS
Hours, Minutes
Small seconds
Retrograde date
Day/night
Second time zone
CASE
Shape: Round, in 3 sections
Dimensions: Ø 42.8 mm
Material: 22 ct rose gold
Finish: Polished
Water resistance: 30 m
Case-back: Sapphire
Crystal: Anti-reflective sapphire
Crown: Ø 5.5 mm & Ø 6 mm
Engraving on case-back: Individual number
DIAL
Material: White grained
Indices: Rose gold gilded
Hands: Javelin-shaped
STRAP
Brand: Hermès
Material: Alligator
Colour: Black
BUCKLE
Type: Folding buckle
