Love the PF GMT Rattrapante so much. Also, insightful for me as I want it to have a seconds hand which I assume to mean I will never be tasteful enough to effectively design a watch. That’s a hard pill to swallow 🤣
I think the question was also to you. If you know what’s going on in the background.. to me, I love Parmigiani, loved them a lot from the beginning to mid-2000s and then the Guido era.. the middle period was forgettable, but they’re severely under-appreciated now and considering the tonda sells for like 50c on the dollar in the secondary market, it’s not a good sign at all. It’s frustrating because their models are actually great - PF better than the RO in every category other than hype.
Ah gotcha. The general rumor is that the components suppliers, including Vaucher, will be bought by Hermes (which already owns 25% of Vaucher), while the Parmigiani brand is still looking for a buyer. I’ve heard of one potential home for it that would seem to make sense
I think Parmigiani has been deceptive about the dials in their Tonda PF and Tonda PF Sport. They refer to them as guilloche and on the website, the Tonda PF chrono is even listed as hand guilloche. They never show off their production. In this video, the CEO is surrounded by CNC machines. When the PF line came out, I remember reading something about how they used CNC since the pattern was so small, but they seem happy to refer to these as hand guilloche.
I’d have to look at the links and their marketing closer before saying whether or not they’ve been “deceptive”, but in general: guilloche has become an overused term by the industry to refer to a pattern instead of the tradition technique using a rose engine. Unless proven otherwise, I usually assume it’s “machine guilloche”, a contradiction in terms, but now commonly used (see eg Rolex 1908).
At various times, Parmigiani has referred to hand guilloche, referring to process rather than pattern. I have no problems with dials that are stamped, CNC, or hand cut on rose or straight line engine, but transparency signifies respect for the customer (to me).
please tell me, in what way is the tonda line understated or subtle? it’s a heavily stylized integrated-bracelet sports-watch for conspicuous consumption, some of them quite large and thick too. whether it’s beautiful or not is up to each of us to decide (i find it completely lacking in appeal).
i’m seeing a trend here, smaller brands and their retailers who are struggling to move product, have now started to criticize the brands that are still successful, and what’s worse, question the motivations of consumers. there’s no crisis of creativity, don’t blame us if we don’t want to buy sub-par goods, instead do better and make more beautiful watches and offer them at prices that would tempt us to spend with you and not with the top dogs. no one said it was going to be easy.
i find the Tonda PF more subtle and understated than its obvious competitors in finishes, in size (it's the only 40mm integrated sports watch I can comfortably wear).
Your're free to read his comments on the industry as you do, but it feels like a pessimistic interpretation. A relaunched indie like PF *has* to position itself against the heritage players to justify itself, so fair enough. I'm glad he's saying something and has a POV. Of course, anyone is free to disagree with it.
Love the PF GMT Rattrapante so much. Also, insightful for me as I want it to have a seconds hand which I assume to mean I will never be tasteful enough to effectively design a watch. That’s a hard pill to swallow 🤣
But you could pull off a cream suit like he does!
Ha, indeed
I was at CD Peacock on Saturday finalizing a purchase and heard a rumor Terrini showed off an embargoed piece or two. Care to comment?
Trying to get me in trouble!
Did you not get to ask about the rumor that Parmigiana is up for sale..? What’s going on there?
Check towards the middle. He no commented and laughed it off
I think the question was also to you. If you know what’s going on in the background.. to me, I love Parmigiani, loved them a lot from the beginning to mid-2000s and then the Guido era.. the middle period was forgettable, but they’re severely under-appreciated now and considering the tonda sells for like 50c on the dollar in the secondary market, it’s not a good sign at all. It’s frustrating because their models are actually great - PF better than the RO in every category other than hype.
Ah gotcha. The general rumor is that the components suppliers, including Vaucher, will be bought by Hermes (which already owns 25% of Vaucher), while the Parmigiani brand is still looking for a buyer. I’ve heard of one potential home for it that would seem to make sense
I’ve heard 2 possible candidates and I thought they were both just rumors.. I hope they sort it out!
I think Parmigiani has been deceptive about the dials in their Tonda PF and Tonda PF Sport. They refer to them as guilloche and on the website, the Tonda PF chrono is even listed as hand guilloche. They never show off their production. In this video, the CEO is surrounded by CNC machines. When the PF line came out, I remember reading something about how they used CNC since the pattern was so small, but they seem happy to refer to these as hand guilloche.
https://www.parmigiani.com/en/watches/tonda-pf-chrono-steel/
https://watchesbysjx.com/2024/04/parmigiani-fleurier-tonda-pf-micro-rotor-no-date.html
https://youtu.be/dwXnK0ZN7ng?si=eO4ggsj3ODvK6cE5
I’d have to look at the links and their marketing closer before saying whether or not they’ve been “deceptive”, but in general: guilloche has become an overused term by the industry to refer to a pattern instead of the tradition technique using a rose engine. Unless proven otherwise, I usually assume it’s “machine guilloche”, a contradiction in terms, but now commonly used (see eg Rolex 1908).
At various times, Parmigiani has referred to hand guilloche, referring to process rather than pattern. I have no problems with dials that are stamped, CNC, or hand cut on rose or straight line engine, but transparency signifies respect for the customer (to me).
This is from the PF link above.
"Dial
Finishing:"Grain d'Orge hand-guilloché"
Indices:18ct gold rhodium-plated appliques
Color:Milano Blue"
please tell me, in what way is the tonda line understated or subtle? it’s a heavily stylized integrated-bracelet sports-watch for conspicuous consumption, some of them quite large and thick too. whether it’s beautiful or not is up to each of us to decide (i find it completely lacking in appeal).
i’m seeing a trend here, smaller brands and their retailers who are struggling to move product, have now started to criticize the brands that are still successful, and what’s worse, question the motivations of consumers. there’s no crisis of creativity, don’t blame us if we don’t want to buy sub-par goods, instead do better and make more beautiful watches and offer them at prices that would tempt us to spend with you and not with the top dogs. no one said it was going to be easy.
i find the Tonda PF more subtle and understated than its obvious competitors in finishes, in size (it's the only 40mm integrated sports watch I can comfortably wear).
Your're free to read his comments on the industry as you do, but it feels like a pessimistic interpretation. A relaunched indie like PF *has* to position itself against the heritage players to justify itself, so fair enough. I'm glad he's saying something and has a POV. Of course, anyone is free to disagree with it.