Parmigiani Fleurier presents the world's thinnest automatic flying tourbillon movement - introducing the Tonda 1950 Tourbillon and Calibre PF517
Parmigiani Fleurier presents its new creation – the Tonda 1950 Tourbillon, which is the watch fitted with the thinnest automatic flying tourbillon movement. The new version of elegant and restrained Tonda Tourbillon is released in expectation of Parmigiani Fleurier’s 20th anniversary. To celebrate this special occasion, the brand releases the world’s thinnest automatic flying tourbillon with micro-rotor (3.4mm). This technological feat is a new milestone in the dynamic history of the tourbillon development. Tourbillon, a special addition to the watch movement, was invented in the 19th century, to counteract the effects of gravity, which affected the stability of the balance-spring and, eventually, the accuracy of the watch. The improvement relies on a constant rotation system that ensures that gravity affects acts on all the angles of the balance, in all positions, thus reducing its undesired effects.
Parmigiani Fleurier’s new tourbillon is contained in a mobile cage that rotates on a single pivot point, offering a breathtaking view of a mechanism. The world’s thinnest tourbillon movement is a fruit of two years of research and development. The astonishing achievement was made possible due to the micro-rotor in 950 platinum, which has been directly integrated into the main plate of the PF517 movement. This way, there is no extra layer of material that would contribute to the overall thickens of the mechanism. For Parmigiani Fleurier's watchmakers, this was a significant challenge, because they needed to integrate the micro-rotor, the barrel, the tourbillon cage, the time-setting mechanism and the central display system in the limited space of the same main plate. This could be easily achieved by offsetting the time display, but Parmigiani Fleurier adopted more challenging approach, in order to preserve the classic elegance of its Tonda model - the movement components were precisely rearranged, while keeping the time displayed in the center.
The tourbillon cage is mounted on a single support bridge, while a ball bearing replaces the mounting function, without thickening the movement. The cage here appears to float suspended in the air, in front of the movement, producing the captivating visual effect. The brand has also applied a number of technical improvements, such as the world’s lightest tourbillon cage made of titanium, and a variable inertia balance instead of a screw balance. The cage weighs only 0.255 g, while the inertia balance has a streamlined design, which gives the tourbillon more stability throughout its operation. The seconds hand is also integrated on a tourbillon cage, and it completes one full revolution per minute, same as the cage.
The first Haute Horlogerie model in the Tonda 1950 family retains all of its signature aesthetic principles. The simple and elegant model is based on the notion of 07:08, which is a nod to the founder of Parmigiani Fleurier, who was born at exactly this time. The tourbillon is positioned left of the center, after the 7 o'clock index, while its rotation is determined by an angle corresponding to 07:08, and underlined by a red applique around the edge of the seconds. The functions are powered by the mechanical self-winding movement PF517, which beats at a frequency of 21600 vibrations per hour, and provides about 42 hours of power reserve. The movement is housed in a 40,20 mm wide case, and assembled from 205 components and 29 jewels.
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 Tourbillon is available in five dial versions: grey mother of pearl, white or black jade, grained white, and blue abyss with Côtes de Genève decoration. The white gold case is set with stones, while the grey mother of pearl dial features sleek, tapered indices as the original Tonda 1950. The white and black jade dials have indices with three facets, which gives them a more technical aesthetics. The upper facet has a luminescent coating, which ensures perfect legibility in low light conditions. Finally, the most exquisite dials are made of grained and blue abyss with Côtes de Genève pattern, and three-faceted indices.
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 Tourbillon reference numbers are:
- PFH279-1000600-HA3141 Rose gold case, blue abyss dial
- PFH279-1002400-HA1241- Rose gold case, white grained brass dial
- PFH279-1201400-HA1441 - White gold dial, black polished jade dial
- PFH279-1202400-HA1441 – White gold, white polished jade dial
- PFH279-1266100-HC2621 – White gold, grey mother of pearl dial
Author: Marina Milojevic Pinterest
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