Parmigiani Fleurier recently announced the Tonda 1950 Tourbillon which is both the world’s thinnest automatic flying tourbillon and has the world’s lightest tourbillon cage.

The watch features a micro-rotor, in 950 platinum, which allows the movement to be so thin. In fact, according to the manufacture, the creation of caliber PF517 required integrating not just the micro-rotor – but also the barrel, the tourbillon cage, time setting mechanism and the central display system – into the main plate. Further, Parmigiani Fleurier arranged the movement components with exact precision to keep the time displayed in the center.

This flying tourbillon, which is supported by only a single bridge (regular tourbillons are supported by two bridges), required a highly sophisticated ball bearing system for mounting, so as not to add thickness to the movement.

Even the tourbillon cage had to be specially developed, and they chose titanium because it is light and allowed for rotational movement with almost no loss of torque. So, the titanium cage is not only the world’s lightest at (0.255 grams), the chronometry has also been improved.

Available in either rose or white gold, the case measures 40.20 mm in diameter by 8.65 mm thick. Functions include hours, minutes and 60-second tourbillon. Movement runs at 3Hz, has 205 components, 29 jewels and a 42-hour power reserve. Dial options include blue abyss (shown), grained white, grey mother-of-pearl, black jade and white jade. Each watch comes matched with a Hermes leather strap.

For more, visit Parmigiani Fleurier.