Parmigiani Fleurier Unveils 1950 Tonda Meteorite Watch
Parmigiani Fleurier has unveiled several new Tonda watches that include diamond-set pieces and watches with stunning meteorite dials that are available in stores as of December. The new Tonda 1950 Meteorite Special Edition watch features a stunning white meteorite dial that compliments the other meteorite watches in black and blue that have been in the collection.
Meteorite dials are rare simply because meteorites themselves are rare, and each is unique. It is believed that meteorites originated from a single body that probably exploded hundreds of millions of years ago. Then those individual stones pass through the atmosphere at temperatures and pressures that affect and alter their structures. Add to that the process of slicing a meteorite and polishing it to become a dial and you have a unique piece in every watch.
The new special edition Tonda 1950 Meteorite watch features a dial made from a discovery in Sweden. Cut using a process developed by the Manufacture’s dial-makers, each dial is chemically treated enhance the meteorite’s “Widmanstätten” patterns that are naturally formed as the material slowly cools over long periods of time.
To showcase the stunning dial, the new Tonda 1950 cases and bezels are crafted of titanium with a polished finish. Each 43mm watch houses an automatic PF702 self-winding movement (with 48 hours of power reserve) that measures just 2.6mm thick. The 160 components are individually finished to meticulous standards, including circular-grained patterns, and Cotes de Genève. The movement is visible via the sapphire caseback. Each watch is numbered and features the words “Edition Speciale” engraved on the caseback. A black Hermes alligator strap accompanies the watch, which retails for $19,500.
Additionally, as Parmigiani Fleurier is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the brand has a host of events going on around the world. One of them is a grand exhibition paying homage not only to its two decades of success, but also to the amazing craftsmanship and restoration work of brand founder and master watchmaker, Michele Parmigiani. That exhibit is traveling through top cities and, in fact, this week, will be in Miami at the brand’s boutique in the Design District. We will bring you more news about that soon.
