If there may be one watch that we’ve got praised in each problem this yr, usually with no good motive apart from the truth that we prefer it, it should be the Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Petite Seconde. That is the type of watch that we think about ourselves carrying in the future, when our tastes lastly mature. Truly, we will be so daring as to say it’s precisely the form of watch that each one fanatics and collectors ought to wish to personal. Not like far too many assertion watches making an attempt to offer you whiplash, the Toric Petite Seconde invitations quiet contemplation. Oh sure, and that’s for house owners solely; onlookers will merely stroll on by, none the wiser.
Now, in doing this story we run the chance of writing ourselves right into a nook within the coming Festive problem. Longtime readers can guess that there can be a serious story on Parmigiani Fleurier quickly, and the precise topic has not been determined. By working this piece now, we threat having to go a unique route. Consider it as taking a weekend journey to your dream vacation spot, when you might have an prolonged journey to the identical spot arising. However we love this watch an excessive amount of to cross on any likelihood to have a good time it. To be honest, Parmigiani Fleurier simply launched some new supplies to help the arrival of the brand new Toric watches in Singapore so the timing is true. The watch has additionally simply been nominated for the GPHG, alongside notable Parmigiani Fleurier fashions in six classes. That must be some form of report however that’s not the topic of this story.
You may additionally have observed that we coated the Toric assortment as soon as earlier than, within the Summer season problem, so what might we or Parmigiani Fleurier carry to the desk. Definitely not a brand new watch. As an alternative, the model doubled down on its sartorial ambitions and horological prowess with a particular information pack on the Toric assortment. This consists of cleverly crafted takes on the Chronographe Rattrapante and Petite Seconde from the editors of The Rake (together with Revolution founder and authentic gentleman influencer Wei Koh), and France’s Monsieur. These commentaries carry further perspective into the dialog a few assortment that wants extra contemplation.
In recognition, Parmigiani Fleurier has made rather more than simply the fundamental info out there from the unique launch throughout Watches and Wonders Geneva. CEO Guido Terreni informed us then that he thinks most individuals solely tune in to look at the information at particular moments, like WWG for instance, and maybe Geneva Watch Days too; the GPHG in all probability solely makes the information feeds of watch afficionados. Properly, maybe he has discovered a recent strategy to get individuals to take discover nevertheless it in all probability solely works when the gathering is as properly put collectively because the Toric is. For instance, the Toric brings again the misplaced dial ornamental artwork referred to as “grenage,” which was revived by none apart from Michel Parmigiani. Bridge-side, a variety of emphasis has been given over to the significance of handwork and conventional (vintage) machining. When a watch assortment is as low-key because the Toric, it wants a variety of cautious explaining.
Merely saying that “grenage” has been used for the dial is meaningless as a result of nobody, or hardly anybody, will know what meaning. Briefly, this system sees tartar cream and sea salt floor along with a glass pestle, with the outcomes becoming a member of forces with grains of silver and demineralised water to kind a paste. This paste is utilized to the bottom dial with a horn spoon. It’s then brushed in all instructions (presumably as evenly as doable) with a brush (with tremendous bristles) to ultimately get the grains of silver to stay. This should all be finished in semi-darkness as a result of silver is famously photosensitive (which means it reacts to mild). If nothing else, this description evokes extra questions so the worth of area for explanations is obvious.
The dial, together with the gold motion and the artisanal nubuck alligator strap, goes a protracted strategy to revealing the qualities of the Toric assortment. Sadly, we do not need the area to get into particulars in regards to the actions and straps however our longer treatise will hopefully cowl all of it. Think about for a second that we’ve got not even recounted the small print of the watches, by way of specs. See you within the subsequent installment of this evolving story, the place we are going to dive even deeper into extra of the small print that outline the Toric.
This text first appeared on WOW’s Legacy Subject #75
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