Following the launch of the Tonda 1950 Rainbow, Parmigiani Fleurier is proud to present its new creation: the Tonda 1950 Flying Tourbillon Double Rainbow. This haute horlogerie timepiece, driven by the in-house ultra-thin PF517 movement, features a double gradient of extraordinary colours and represents a fine example of Parmigiani Fleurier's skill in marrying the arts of watchmaking and jewellery.
 

The dial, set with white diamonds on the Tonda 1950 Flying Tourbillon Double Rainbow, is adorned with a crescent of aventurine within a gradient of coloured stones. This colour progression represents a mirror image of the stones set on the bezel. No rainbow ever stands truly on its own; a second rainbow featuring the colours in reverse generally accompanies it and is caused by a secondary reflection of the light on water droplets. The careful selection and setting of these stones evoke this natural phenomenon and is the result of the most painstaking and meticulous work of our artisans.

The ultra-thin PF517 movement, comprising a platinum micro-rotor and flying tourbillon, was developed following in-depth studies by the Manufacture's master watchmakers. To keep the piece as slim as possible, the tourbillon was in fact integrated in the movement's main plate.
 

The position of the tourbillon at 7 o'clock on the dial is a nod to the brand's founder, Michel Parmigiani, who was born at 7:08 am on December 2nd, 1950. The Tonda 1950 line also pays tribute to this master watchmaker who, in the midst of the Quartz Crisis, maintained a firm belief in the value of the finest traditional mechanical watchmaking.

The rose gold case and the red Hermès leather strap, or the rose gold bracelet, perfectly complement the spectacular array of colours surrounding by the tourbillon.
 

In 1976, Michel Parmigiani opened a restoration workshop, where he studied and brought back to life dozens of historical watchmaking masterpieces. 20 years later, Parmigiani Fleurier was founded. In honour of its origins, its workshop continues to thrive and restore all kinds of horological pieces from the past. It also serves as an inspiration for all of the its creations.
 

Ultra-thin movements are one of Parmigiani Fleurier's areas of expertise. For example, the restoration workshop recently worked on a pocket watch in enamelled gold commissioned by Tsar Nicolas I. This extremely rare watch dates back to around 1840 and was made by Robert Brandt & Cie in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The ultra-thin watch movement that powers it is known as a "Bagnolet". This is an "inverted" calibre in which the gears rotate in the opposite direction to allow the time to be read in the conventional way.