Parmigiani makes unquestionably top quality watches, though it is rarely accused of being exciting (excepting the Bugatti wristwatches). So the new Toric Chronometre Slate is expectedly classical, being a variant of a watch launched last year.

While the original had either an eggshell or black dial, the latest Toric Chronometre has a guilloche dial that, in typical Parmigiani style, was created the traditional way, engraved with a hand-operated rose engine at Parmigiani’s sister company.

The dial surface has a concentric grain d’orge, or barleycorn, motif that’s been finished in dark grey. It’s matched with applied, solid gold hour numerals, as well as rose gold hands that has been newly open-worked. As on the original version, the date display sits in an elongated, fan-shaped window framed in gold.

The rest of the watch is identical to the original model, with the case being an elegant 40.8mm in diameter and just 9.5mm high, again produced by another of the brand’s sister companies. It features the signature Toric bezel that’s finely knurled, once again done by hand, with the pattern created by rolling a toothed metal wheel against the bezel.

Inside is the cal. PF441, an automatic movement with 55 hour power reserve. Finely finished and also COSC-certified, the movement is 25.6mm in diameter, slightly small for the case but still good to look at through the display back.

The new Toric Chronometre encapsulates what distinguishes Parmigiani – eminently classical, occasionally staid design, combined with almost complete vertical integration in manufacturing, while being admirably dedicated to quality production and finishing. And that is why Parmigiani makes beautiful watches but is a loss making enterprise (and fortunately owned by The Sandoz Family Foundation, which derives most of its endowment from a Swiss pharmaceutical fortune).

Price and availability 

The price of the Toric Chronometre Slate (ref. PFC423-1600201-HA1241) has yet to be announced, but with the original model retailing for US$18,500, expect this to cost more, given the elaborate dial.