lot 08

Parmigiani Fleurier

Tonda Serenissima Limited Edition

This watch was featured at the "Contemporary Independents" auction

Starting bid CHF 25 000
Sold at a fixed price CHF 50 000
Total bids 24
Location

Specification

CaseStainless steel case, with a sapphire caseback, crown at 3 o'clock, fluted bezel
BraceletPolished & satin finished stainless steel bracelet
DialGuilloché salmon dial, applied white gold indices, 18k gold skeletonized delta hands, date indication at 6 o'clock
MovementRhodium-plated ultra-thin automatic caliber PF703, free-sprung balance with a flat hairspring, platinum "Revolution" engraved micro rotor , Geneva stripes
Case No.N°80813
D=40mm
Year2022

Condition report

Case:New, unworn
Bracelet:New, unworn
Dial:Mint condition
Movement:All functions working properly
Amplitude (Dial on top/Lift angle 52):Approx 300°
Accuracy (Dial on top):Approx +4 sec/day
Box:Yes
Papers:Yes

Details 

A very rare, elegant and sporty-chic special-edition stainless-steel and platinum wristwatch of the Swiss watch brand Parmigiani Fleurier, founded in 1996 by Michel Parmigiani, renowned watch and clock restorer, with support from the Sandoz Family Foundation. Special edition launch: 2022. Case made of stainless steel, diameter 40mm, 7.8mm thick, platinum knurled bezel, sapphire caseback. Matte rose gold-toned, so-called ‘salmon’ dial decorated by ‘grain d’orge’ guilloché motif, delta-shaped skeletonized hands, matte rose gold-toned background for date indicator. Caliber PF703, very thin, self-winding with off-centred mini-rotor in platinum, power reserve up to 48 hours. Functions – indication of time in hours and minutes, date in aperture at 6 o’clock. Polished and satin-finished stainless-steel bracelet. Limited edition of 25 pieces. 

Lot essay 

Collaborations are one of the current trends in modern luxury watchmaking. This watch is a rare example of a special design produced in a collaboration between glamourous magazines and a watch brand. The present limited edition was initiated by Wei Koch, publisher of the magazines ‘Revolution’ and ‘The Rake’. Judging by his publications, Wei Koch as a collector has his own tastes and passions, which manifested themselves in this limited edition – in particular, the choice of a steel model on a steel bracelet in combination with a so-called ‘salmon’ dial, which is usually highly rated in the collector community. Another aspect is the thin and large case of the Tonda PF, whose dimensions – diameter 40mm and thickness 7.8mm – are very close to those of the legendary Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ Ref. 5402, which had a diameter of 39mm and was 7.1mm thick. It is important to note that this proportion, combined with the integrated design of the bracelet, gives a special feeling to the watch on the wrist. Also noteworthy is the coincidence of the Tonda PF and Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ set of indicators – both watches have hour and minute hands, and a date indicator in the aperture, in the absence of a seconds hand. 

The undoubted advantage of the present lot is the combination of the thin and elegant case in stainless steel and platinum, ‘salmon’ dial – extremely rare for a Parmigiani Fleurier watch – and outstanding technical characteristics of the caliber PF703, one of the thinnest and finest self-winding movements on the market.

In addition to the ‘salmon’ dial of the Tonda PF ‘Serenissima’, it is worth noting how spacious it is, with a tiny grains of ‘grain d’orge’ guilloché motif which covers almost its entire surface, and a consistent platinum knurled bezel, also with a relief finish. All this gives the Tonda PF watch a special character. The launch of the Tonda PF collection as one of the brand’s pillars in 2021 is associated with the arrival of a new team led by Guido Terreni, previously the manager behind the development of Bulgari’s flagship Octo collection. More than any Parmigiani Fleurier, the Tonda PF shows the Italian taste for sporty-elegant timepieces that spawned the famous Royal Oak and Nautilus in the 1970s. 

The present example is equipped with the in-house caliber PF703, self-winding with an off-centred mini-rotor in platinum, with a ‘grain d’orge’ guilloché motif – just as in the dial – and the Revolution magazine logo. The caliber is remarkably thin, at just 3.07mm, allowing the brand to create a very elegant watch with a 40mm case and a thickness of just 7.8mm. This is perceived as an excellent proportion, perfect for sporty-chic and elegant watches. The present lot definitely fits this category. 

Reasons to bid 

The Parmigiani Fleurier × Revolution & The Rake Tonda PF Micro-Rotor ‘Serenissima’ Ref. PFS914-1020001-100182, an extremely special and refined watch, would appear to be a fine purchase for the collector or fine watchmaking afficionado who seeks to obtain an exquisite, sporty and elegant wristwatch of a world-renowned watch brand, recognised master of collectible watches with a museum touch. The undoubted advantage of the present lot is the combination of the thin and elegant case in stainless steel and platinum, ‘salmon’ dial – extremely rare for a Parmigiani Fleurier watch – and outstanding technical characteristics of the caliber PF703, one of the thinnest and finest self-winding movements on the market. The present watch won’t lose its relevance as a luxurious and highly decorative daily-wearer and fine collectible, especially since it belongs to a special limited edition of only 25 pieces, made as a collaboration.