STRIKING TO THE TUNE OF SAMBA
Inspired by the colours of Brazilian samba, the Parmigiani Toric Tecnica Samba minute repeater with tourbillon is representative of what Parmigiani does very well, a classically styled timepiece with high level of execution inside and out.
By Su Jian Xian (SJX) for Parmigiani Fleurier
The hefty 42 mm platinum case is in the characteristic style of the Toric line – used only for high complications – with a fluted, double-stepped bezel, and an onyx cabochon on the crown. Though the case design verges on fussy with its decorative elements, it is well suited to the complication and feel of the watch.
Hand-engraved in relief with a feather motif, the dial is solid white gold and fitted with blued steel javelin hands. Unusually for such a watch, the hands are filled with white Luminova. That is somewhat incongruous with the overall aesthetic, but the Luminova improves the legibility of the watch manifold.
Unsurprisingly, the detail of the engraving is outstanding, examining it up close reveals the grain and texture of the feathers. This is the most obvious example of the high quality of finish throughout the watch.
At six o’clock an aperture reveals the tourbillon, held aloft by a steel bridge, which is black polished and rounded, finished as befits as a high-end tourbillon.
On the rear, the cover of the hunter case back is once again decorated with a feather motif, except in brilliantly coloured enamel. Splendid in their green, blue, yellow and red shades, the feathers are vivid, yet discreet, since they are hidden on the back.
Beneath the hinged back lies the movement. And as is typical for Parmigiani movements, the decoration is excellent. Like the dial, the movement has its bridges in solid white gold, relief-engraved with a feather motif.
The bridges are elegantly shaped, with graceful lines and enough inward angles to prove its finishing is excellent. Another particularly marvellous but subtle detail is the fine perlage on the bridge of the tourbillon.
This repeater has cathedral gongs, meaning they are longer (looping round the movement twice instead of once) and more resonant than the typical repeater gongs. The longer gongs are useful given the density of the platinum, which muffles sound to an extent.
"MODELE UNIQUE"
MOVEMENT
- Minute repeater movement, Tourbillon and power reserve indicator.
- Sounds the hours, quarter-hours and minutes on 2 cathedral gongs.
- Calibre : PF351
- Winding : Manual
- Power reserve : 43 hours
- Dimensions : 13''' – Ø 29.30 mm
- Thickness : 6 mm
- Frequency : 3 Hz – 21’600 A/h
- Jewels : 37
- Barrel(s) : 1
- Components : 379
- Decoration : Hand-bevelled main plate and bridges
FUNCTIONS
- Central hours and minutes
- Minute repeater
CASE
- Shape : 4-part round case
- Dimensions : Ø 42 mm
- Thickness : 14.8
- Material : 950 Platinum
- Finishing : Polished
- Water resistance : 10 m
- Glass : Anti-reflective sapphire
- Crown : Ø 7 mm
- Back : Engraved and enamelled
- Back engraving : "MODELE UNIQUE" and individual number
DIAL
- Finishing : Hand-engraved by theme
- Colour : Rhodium plated
- Index : Transfer
- Hands : Javelin-shaped with luminescent coating
BRACELET
- Material : Alligator
- Colour : Indigo blue
- Brand : Hermès
BUCKLE
- Type : Ardillon