The Elusive Purple of Parmigiani Fleurier
You’ll have to make the trip to Taiwan to even hope to catch a glimpse of it. It is precisely in the display windows of the Sincere Haute Horlogerie (SHH) boutique, inside the Taipei 101 Tower, that Parmigiani Fleurier’s new creation is on display. By limiting the geographic distribution of this model, priced at 850,800 New Taiwan dollars, the Swiss watchmaker sets the tone from the outset: one of absolute exclusivity, reserved for just a few dozen buyers.
The watch industry often revolves around classic black dials or reassuring shades of blue. For this new version of the Tonda PF, the brand breaks new ground and explores a shade dubbed “Soft Violet.” The choice is by no means extravagant. On the contrary, the hue proves elusive, situated somewhere on the fine line between gray and lilac.
This visual shift stems from the dial’s craftsmanship. The hand-engraved “Grain d’Orge” guilloché pattern acts as a light trap. Depending on the lighting and the angle of the wrist, the surface reflects lavender highlights, shifts toward a cool blue, and then darkens to reveal a much deeper violet. The watch demands to be handled in order to be understood, rejecting the immediacy of a flat color.
This exercise in colorimetry is integrated into a 36-millimeter-diameter case. The steel case, which meticulously alternates between polished and satin-finished surfaces, remains faithful to the aesthetic vocabulary of the Tonda PF line. It is topped by the traditional platinum bezel, a design detail that lends a subtle luminous tension to the overall look. With a thickness limited to 8.6 millimeters, the watch prioritizes ergonomic comfort. Its elegant proportions do not preclude everyday use, as the technical specifications indicate a water resistance of 100 meters.
On the back of the case, the sapphire crystal offers a view of the watch’s movement. Parmigiani Fleurier has housed its PF770 caliber there. This automatic movement, developed in the brand’s own workshops, provides a 60-hour power reserve. The finishing of the components meets the standards of traditional haute horlogerie, combining Côtes de Genève, hand-beveled edges, and the warmth of a 22-karat rose gold oscillating weight.
Production of this Soft Violet version will be limited to fifty pieces—not one more. With this extremely limited run, Parmigiani Fleurier reaffirms its rejection of overproduction and commercial expediency. It is a strategy of understated elegance that allows the product to speak for itself.