Embark on a fascinating journey through time with Parmigiani Fleurier’s calendar watches trilogy.
These extraordinary timepieces are not only crafted from the finest platinum with impeccable attention to detail, but they also tell a story.
At the heart of these watches lies the universal concept of the calendar – a tool used by civilizations throughout history to measure time and organize their lives. The Gregorian, Islamic, and Chinese calendars are just a few examples of the many cultural legacies that have endured for centuries.
But it’s not just the cultural significance of these watches that makes them special. Each one is a true mechanical masterpiece, reflecting the exceptional skill and knowledge of Parmigiani Fleurier Haute Horlogerie and a shining example of Michel Parmigiani legacy.
As Parmigiani Fleurier’s founder, Michel Parmigiani, once said, “The calendar is an eminently fascinating watchmaking complication, as it really is the mirror of civilizations.” So, join us on this journey through time and discover the wonder and complexity of the calendar in its different variations – and the rich cultural heritage that was shaped around our understanding of time.
The TONDA PF Gregorian Calendar:
A Masterpiece of Mechanical Art
Let’s explore the complexity of the Western Gregorian calendar with an exceptional mechanical work of art, also called the “precision moon” because of its ability to only require one correction every 122 years and for compensating for the discrepancy between a classic lunar cycle and the real lunar cycle.
The TONDA PF Gregorian Calendar watch is a true marvel of engineering, with its almost faultless track of the date for the next 365 days. Owners of this timepiece only need to adjust their watch once a year, thanks to its remarkable precision. This amazing timepiece displays two depictions of the Moon – viewed from the Earth’s Northern and Southern hemispheres – to match any owner’s geographical location. With a moon subdial and lozenges in rose gold, standing out against an aventurine glass sky, the narrative is a poetic one, evoking the twinkling of a star-filled galaxy. While not immediately adopted by all countries, the Gregorian is the calendar used in most parts of the world.
The TONDA PF Hijri Perpetual Calendar:
A true testament to the art of watchmaking and a celebration of the rich cultural legacy of the Islamic world
This watch is more than just a marvel of engineering – it’s a tribute to the rich history and culture of the Islamic world. The Hijri lunar calendar consists of 12 months of 29 or 30 days, depending on the phase of the moon, and is used to identify Muslim festivals. It’s based on the moment when the first Muslim community was founded, marking a significant event in Islamic history.
It does justice to this tradition with its stunning design and intricate features. The watch is made from 950 platinum and features solid gold hour-markers, logo, and hands on a sandblasted platinum dial. And the movement designed and developed by the Maison is identical to that of the model awarded at the GPHG prize in 2020.
But it’s not just about the aesthetics – this watch also displays a wealth of information, including the hours, minutes, date in Arabic numerals, the name and length of the months in Arabic calligraphy, and the days of the month and year. The ninth month is even marked in green on the counter at 3 o’clock. And let’s not forget the double moon phase, which displays the moon for both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
The TONDA PF Xiali Complete Chinese Calendar:
A creation goes as far as it is possible to go in creating the most complete, and most precise, Chinese calendar in the form of a timepiece
Prepare to be transported into a world of complexity and elegance with our exceptional creation – the Chinese calendar timepiece. Unlike the Western Gregorian calendar, which is based on the sun, the Chinese calendar follows the cycles of the moon and astronomical observations to calculate its months and years. It’s a rich and complex system that is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture and history.
We have truly outdone ourselves with this creation, offering the most complete form of the Chinese calendar possible. The watch is a testament to the incredible wealth of information that the Chinese calendar provides, including the names of the lunar years, the numbering of months, and the unique intercalary or leap month system that ensures the Chinese New Year falls on the arrival of spring.
But that’s not all – the watch also features the complex numbering system of the ten Heavenly Stems and the twelve Earthly Branches, which correspond to the directions, seasons, elements, planets, colors, flavors, virtues, and zodiac signs. It’s a true work of art that condenses a vast amount of information onto a single dial.
Let’s not forget about the sophisticated mechanism that powers this incredible timepiece. The watch is programmed to cover a twelve-year period, after which it must be reset for a new equivalent period. But during those twelve years, all information is provided without any need for intervention.
This stunning creation is a true testament to the art of watchmaking, and a celebration of the incredible complexity and elegance of the Chinese calendar.
