MASTERLY DESIGN

When he created the first model in the Toric collection, Michel Parmigiani, the founder of the brand of the same name set up in 1996, took inspiration from the field of art, and even of history and nature. He borrowed the straight ribs and fluting on antique Greek columns and the contours of shells in designing the bezel for the Toric timepieces, which included a type of gadroon around a ribbed, hollow strip. This visual signature has been applied to all the collection, including the new Toric Chronomètre watch.

With a slim case that has been slightly reworked to embrace contemporary aesthetic codes, it is 40.8mm wide and available in white or rose gold. It houses the calibre PF331, manufactured by Parmigiani, and visible through the sapphire case back. This self-winding mechanism, certified as a chronometer by the COSC, runs at 28 800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), and its double barrel provides a power reserve of 55 hours.

The dial on the Toric Chronomètre model is dressed in a black that is as deep and intense as lacquer or a grained white with delicate silvery tints. It features an hour rim with Arabic numerals along the minute track circling the chapter ring. At the centre of this disc with its simple aesthetics are a couple of javelin-style golden hands for the hours and minutes, along with a second hand. The date is displayed against a black or white background in a wide counter at 6 o’clock, at the bottom of the dial, showing the date over three days.

Price: 18 500 CHF

By Sharmila Bertin