If there may be one watch that we now have praised in each subject this yr, usually with no good cause aside from the truth that we prefer it, it have to be the Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Petite Seconde. That is the type of watch that we think about ourselves carrying someday, when our tastes lastly mature. Really, we will be so daring as to say it’s precisely the sort of watch that every one fanatics and collectors ought to wish to personal. In contrast to far too many assertion watches making an attempt to present you whiplash, the Toric Petite Seconde invitations quiet contemplation. Oh sure, and that’s for homeowners solely; onlookers will merely stroll on by, none the wiser.
Now, in doing this story we run the chance of writing ourselves right into a nook within the coming Festive subject. Longtime readers can guess that there can be a significant story on Parmigiani Fleurier quickly, and the precise topic has not been determined. By operating this piece now, we danger having to go a special route. Consider it as taking a weekend journey to your dream vacation spot, when you might have an prolonged journey to the identical spot arising. However we love this watch an excessive amount of to cross on any probability to rejoice it. To be honest, Parmigiani Fleurier simply launched some new supplies to assist the arrival of the brand new Toric watches in Singapore so the timing is correct. The watch has additionally simply been nominated for the GPHG, alongside notable Parmigiani Fleurier fashions in six classes. That needs to be some sort of file however that’s not the topic of this story.
You might also have seen that we coated the Toric assortment as soon as earlier than, within the Summer season subject, so what might we or Parmigiani Fleurier deliver to the desk. Definitely not a brand new watch. As an alternative, the model doubled down on its sartorial ambitions and horological prowess with a particular information pack on the Toric assortment. This consists of cleverly crafted takes on the Chronographe Rattrapante and Petite Seconde from the editors of The Rake (together with Revolution founder and unique gentleman influencer Wei Koh), and France’s Monsieur. These commentaries deliver extra perspective into the dialog a few assortment that wants extra contemplation.
In recognition, Parmigiani Fleurier has made way more than simply the fundamental info accessible from the unique launch throughout Watches and Wonders Geneva. CEO Guido Terreni advised us then that he thinks most individuals solely tune in to observe the information at particular moments, like WWG for instance, and maybe Geneva Watch Days too; the GPHG most likely solely makes the information feeds of watch afficionados. Effectively, maybe he has discovered a contemporary technique to get individuals to take discover however it most likely solely works when the gathering is as effectively put collectively because the Toric is. For instance, the Toric brings again the misplaced dial ornamental artwork referred to as “grenage,” which was revived by none aside from Michel Parmigiani. Bridge-side, lots of emphasis has been given over to the significance of handwork and conventional (vintage) machining. When a watch assortment is as low-key because the Toric, it wants lots of cautious explaining.
Merely saying that “grenage” has been used for the dial is meaningless as a result of nobody, or hardly anybody, will know what which means. Briefly, this system sees tartar cream and sea salt floor along with a glass pestle, with the outcomes becoming a member of forces with grains of silver and demineralised water to type a paste. This paste is utilized to the bottom dial with a horn spoon. It’s then brushed in all instructions (presumably as evenly as doable) with a brush (with wonderful bristles) to finally get the grains of silver to stay. This should all be performed in semi-darkness as a result of silver is famously photosensitive (which means it reacts to mild). If nothing else, this description evokes extra questions so the worth of area for explanations is evident.
The dial, together with the gold motion and the artisanal nubuck alligator strap, goes an extended technique to revealing the qualities of the Toric assortment. Sadly, we do not need the area to get into particulars concerning the actions and straps however our longer treatise will hopefully cowl all of it. Take into account for a second that we now have not even recounted the main points of the watches, when it comes to specs. See you within the subsequent installment of this evolving story, the place we’ll dive even deeper into extra of the main points that outline the Toric.
This text first appeared on WOW’s Legacy Situation #75
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