The new white-faced Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 Meteorite watch joins two previous versions of the meteorite-dialed watches which came in darker colors of dark blue and black. This new version comes from a meteorite discovered in Sweden, which delivers a uniquely icy look to a product that certainly conjures the brooding darkness of the cosmos from which the celestial stone originates.
This meant that the movement needed to be packed all to that cylindrical module, which now incorporates the two, series-coupled barrels that provide a total of 80 hours of power book, combined with some very clever gearing to transmit that power at all three directions. To start with, the barrels are connected to the smart power reserve indicator located right behind them through a bevel gear differential.Second, through a complicated gearing method, the barrels are directly attached to the flying tourbillon that caps the cylinder from the opposite end. Last, the whole movement is linked to the perpendicular time screen through an “angle transmission” that allows it to transfer energy via a 90° angle to the screen on the dial.All this impressive complexity goes strongly contrary to what many will only see as a bizarre, wedge-shaped watch, without ever giving a second thought to the way it could possibly function. Surely, an ultra-thin movement could’ve been crammed beneath that angled dialup, but that would definitely be disappointing from a watch produced by means of a brand using a vertically integrated manufacturing backdrop — and, mind you, a watch designed and made to go with the fastest production car in the friggin’ world.Again, the perpendicular dial creates all sorts of challenges, all mostly related to receiving the tubular movement to communicate its timekeeping results towards a time display set in a completely different plane. The angle transmission which solves all this actually is an aptly named “pig screw” that meshes with the massive, though largely hidden wheel that’s merely under the largest wheel at the center. Start looking for the pig screw in the upper segment of the image above the wheel meshes together with the big teeth of a wheel that has two layers under the black PVD-coated bridge. It is an innovative solution and once again something that you won’t see in watches with ordinary round or square circumstances.
We reviewed the abyss blue piece here when it came out in 2015 and were instantly taking note of the meticulous dial work involved. Personally, I love to think about the simplicity of design in tandem with the spectacular nature of the dial material. The Widmenstätten patterns you see on the dial add a visual texture that can easily be overlooked by a passerby.
Regardless of the three dial colors (blue, black, or white), the patterns that the meteorite brings to the party are certainly understated, and I like that. It’s showy for those in the know, and not of much notice to the rest. By the way, above are a couple of pictures of the blue model we reviewed so you can see some real life shots.
Get past that dial, and you might say, well, it’s just another three-hander with a sub-seconds dial. The movement running the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 Meteorite watch would be the PF 702 automatic movement, which in and of itself manages to come in at only 2.6mm thick. There is also some rather nice finishing on the movement that is convenient to view through the sapphire crystal case back. Check out the case back of the version we reviewed.
Speaking of the case, there’s another “hiding in plain sight” part of the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 Meteorite. The 39mm case, itself just under 8mm thick due to that thin movement, might look like “just” another steel case. But instead, we have polished titanium being used. This means we end up with a rather tough watch, and one that should be light on the wrist, between the material and the overall thinness.
These are the details that make me take notice of a watch like the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 Meteorite. When considered as a whole, the overall aesthetic is just further underscored in highlighting a piece that puts the cosmos on your wrist, but does it quietly. Parmigiani Fleurier Women’s Watches Replica Fleurier is releasing the new white-dial model while re-introducing the blue and black models which came out in 2015, I believe. I’d have to see all 3 in person side by side, but this new introduction definitely adds to the line (and I’m still giving the blue the edge). Price for the new Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 Meteorite watch is $19,500. parmigiani.ch