Stone - showing its true colours

Parmigiani Fleurier is making a jubilant statement here in revisiting its Capri-inspired Tonda 1950, with its dial made from a disc of turquoise. For its new creation, the starting point is the same: to create a timepiece with a natural mineral structure, a design which showcases the intrinsic beauty of stone and, finally, to achieve the harmonious interaction of colours and materials. The Manufacture chose aventurine, a fine gemstone whose natural colour has been given a bright boost, making the dial of the Tonda 1950 burst into life. It is ideal, both in terms of its colour and its symbolic significance, perfectly reflecting the spirit of the Manufacture. Aventurine, which derives its name from the Italian a l’avventura (by chance), is the embodiment of the spirit of freedom and knowledge. It resonates with the spirit of Parmigiani Fleurier, driven by boundless inspiration, and drawing its watchmaking expertise from the founts of restoration.

A shade of red fit for royalty! Parmigiani Fleurier's spirit of creativity finds expression in the quest for a intense show of bright colours. Considering one shade after another, the Manufacture patiently began a process of elimination, until it found the perfect red to make its timepiece burst into colour. On this Tonda 1950 Poppy, the aventurine is adorned with a shade of red that beautifully marries with the indulgent pink gold of the case. In a perfectly designed chromatic bouquet, the red and pink bring the iridescent pink gold bracelet to life, while the real ruby cabochon which tops the crown adds the final exclamation mark to this vibrant composition.

Radiance in full bloom

The streamlined profile of the Tonda 1950 is the very expression of Parmigiani Fleurier's style. In a classic design, subtly highlighted by the Delta-shaped hour and minute hands and the appliqués, the face of the watch is transformed by the poppy red aventurine. The impact of this poetic yet electrifying shade is simultaneously magnified by the stone-set case. The sparkling diamonds run all around the bezel, to enhance the lugs and accentuate the elegant shape of the timepiece. The gems are set in a crescendo, increasing in order of size rather than being selected identically, heightening the opulence of the setting. Exuding radiance, the watch is a tribute to femininity. 

Exquisite precision

The Tonda 1950 Poppy is equipped with an ultra-thin Manufacture calibre. With an autonomy of 42 hours, the movement has an off-centre micro-oscillating weight in platinum 950. It features the Haute Horlogerie finishes which are so dear to the brand. The bridges are sandblasted, drawn out and decorated with "Côtes de Genève", then bevelled by hand before finally being rhodium-plated. Likewise, each wheel is bevelled and circular-grained on both sides, then gilded before cutting. This finesse expressed by the graceful proportions of the case, and picked up in the extraordinary work on the watch components, represents a real challenge in a dial made from aventurine. 

Hard and fragile at the same time, this stone is first cut into sections from a block. It is then worked very gently, to ensure that it does not break, until a perfectly flat disc of aventurine is created. This incredibly delicate feat continues as the aventurine disc must then be drilled with three tiny holes, in its centre and on its perimeter, to attach the hands and appliqués. It is only once all these long, laborious and sometimes stressful stages have been completed that the timepieces are revealed according to Parmigiani Fleurier's design. Featuring a wealth of details - some visible, others not - but which speak volumes about the philosophy and requirements of the Manufacture.