Parmigiani Fleurier presents its PRE-SIHH timepiece, the Tonda Métrographe with Abyss Blue dial.
According to the manufacture, “In order to draw a new highlight on the Métro collection, we have worked with a talented photographer who has captured the essence of 4 Tonda Métro executions in different cities across the globe. We start with Chicago representing our pre-SIHH piece. The subsequent 3 cities, watch executions and urban tales will be available after SIHH 2016. Each of them will continue to highlight the urban spirit of the collection and its link with photography.”
The Tonda Métrographe is powered by a 4Hz automatic (caliber PF315) which has been developed and produced in-house and has 351 components, 46 jewels, 2 series-coupled barrels, “Côtes de Genève” finishing, bevelled bridges, and a 42-hour power reserve. Functions include hours, minutes, small second at 3 o’clock, date indication, 1/4 sec chronograph with large second, 30-minute, and 12-hour counters.
The highlight of this timepiece is the “Abyss Blue” colored dial which requires the careful skill of the brand’s master dial maker to create.
Creating this shade of blue requires a special electroplating bath, with a certain current, at a perfectly controlled temperature. With a steady hand, the dial maker dips the dial in the electrolysis tank. At first it turns a bright orange shade, then it turns into an almost rust-coloured brown; next, purplish tones appear, as deep as the striking color of aubergines; finally, waves of blue materialise with this blue-violet hue which turns blue…and then a moment later…Abyss blue. She then quickly removes it from the bath, as two or three seconds more in this bath and the piece would have turned to royal blue then grey.
It features rhodium plated applied indexes with luminescent coating, and a snailed exterior ring with an opaline center. Delta-shaped hands with luminescent coating.
A fully polished stainless steel case (40 mm by 11.7 mm) houses the chronograph movement, with a sapphire caseback and an individual number engraved on the back side each piece. Water-resistance is 30 meters.
The Tonda Métrographe Abyss Blue comes in two variations: blue Hermès strap is CHF 11,900 and CHF 12,500 on titanium/steel bracelet (polished and satin-finished). Available Q1 2016.
