The JZ&F 2012 SIHH Report – Parmigiani

This year Parmigiani introduced the Tonda 1950 – paying tribute to the year that Mr. Michel Parmigiani was born. The titanium piece is a special Limited edition of 60 pieces, and has a nice grille dial that offers a glimpse of the gear train.

Next introduction is the Tonda Retrograde Annual Calendar in White Gold or Rose Gold (Some of you might remember the Retrograde Perpetual Calendar that was released before).

The new Pershing Chronograph for the Brazilian Football Fedaration CBF (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol)

My host also showed me some high complications (a few of them have been introduced before):

Minute Repeater with 4 gongs (each quarter chime has a sequence for 4 gongs, and the sound is heavenly!)

Minute Repeater Tourbillon with Big Date (Westminster chime)

The Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Chronograph

Placed in the center of the booth is “the Dragon and the Pearl of Wisdom” (again, paying homage to the Chinese Year of the Dragon).

It’s an automaton, in which the Dragon makes a full turn every hour. Because of the angles of the claws, the Pearl would almost appear to be in the grasp of the claws for 6 times in the hour.

I admired this interesting work of art for a good 20 minutes – it’s exquisite! The Dragon is made with hand-forged silver, polished and set with gold scales,  and then set with jades in different shades (from imperial green color to orange, yellow, and red). The Pearl is a gold ball set with precious stones.

The base of the movement is made of quartz crystal, and has natural patterns.

Time is measured horizontally on the base via a jade marker using scales in both the Western and the Chinese timing system – in which an interval is measured in 2 hours. The time shown below is 4am.

The Hope you have enjoyed the report.

Yours Truly,

Jon