Winner of the highly cherished and hotly contested category of Best Chronograph in the 2017 GPHG industry awards, the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Chronor Anniversaire is a superb piece which is at the same time sporty yet distinguished. Considered as one of the most challenging accomplishments in watchmaking it features a split second flyback chronograph mechanism which is integral to the design of the movement, as opposed to the much more commonly used solution of using a base calibre with attached chronograph module.

Encased in a round case of 18Kt rose gold, its comma-like chronograph pushers are delightfully integrated into the curved lugs on either side of the crown, which itself houses the stop/start pusher for the spilt seconds function, thus enabling the timing or comparison of two simultaneously occurring events.

A sapphire crystal covers a dial of the purest, whitest white. Crafted with Grand Feu enamel it is pristine, and the fine black markings for its functions and indications provide clear timing information. The double windows for the big date are rose gold, and discrete tapering hour indices in white gold. The hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova for excellent all-round legibility, and the small constant seconds rotate at the six o’clock position.

The chronograph pointers are defined in rose gold, with thirty-minute and twelve-hour registers at the 3 and the 9, and the big central seconds hands which rotate as one, or separately when the split-second function has been activated.

On the underside, a sapphire crystal caseback reveals the spectacular PF361 hand winding movement, which has been fully manufactured in house using 18Kt solid gold. Technically complex and quite beautifully executed throughout, its immaculate open worked plates expose the heart of the mechanism and the two column wheels which operate the chronograph. Functioning at 36’000 vph it is smooth and supremely accurate, and boasts some 65 hours of power reserve.

A masterpiece of Haute Horlogerie in every aspect of its manufacture, assembly and finishing, whilst being contemporary and stylish, the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Chronor Anniversaire is presented on a brown alligator leather strap by Hermès with folding deployant clasp.