Part of the Toric Tourbillon series, this piece is an early example of Parmigiani Fleuriers work, an independent brand headed by master restorer Michel Parmigiani. The watch is distinguished by its impressive finishing from the sharp Ctes de Genve to the subtle bevelling highlighting the skill needed to assemble and finish this high complication.

Introduced around 2000, just four years into the brands story, the Toric Tourbillon was Parmigiani Fleuriers first attempt at the complex yet classical regulating device, long viewed as a rite of passage for fledgling independents. For its first outing, the brands Toric collection was judged to be most appropriate for a tourbillon the line is of course inspired by the work of Abraham-Louis Breguet and features a range of classic complications, alongside more inventive ones. The name references the torus, a geometric shape that is a repeating motif in several of the line's pieces. Signature visual elements included stepped and fluted bezels, a detail inspired by classical Greek and Roman Doric columns, as well as the curved line of the Golden Ratio.

On the dial side, the Toric Tourbillon exposes the movement through an open-worked set up. The bridge at the top, that acts as the dial, is decorated with even and attractive Ctes de Genve. It features four screws, evenly distributed to aid visual balance. Underneath the cartouche at 12 oclock, bearing the brand mark, is a jewel in gold chaton that is the visual counterpart of the one that anchors the tourbillon in the bottom half of the dial.

The rounded tourbillon bridge is black polished and rounded in profile. At its centre is a gold chaton with the jewel on the which the one-minute tourbillon pivots. The three-armed carriage with the balance wheel, as well as those of the going train, wearing an aureate appearance. On the periphery of the three-quarter bridge is a partial chapter of drilled minutes. At 6 oclock separating the words Swiss and made on the brushed minutes chapter are three red spade details with dots in between them.

In the first days of the manufacture, Parmigiani chose to rely on high-quality bauches, which were modified, assembled, and finished in-house. This reference 2840 makes use of a Girard-Perregaux Three Bridges 9900 bauche. Initially created for pocket watches, this movement has a historic lineage that stretches back to the 19th century, when it won first place in the 1867 and 1889 Paris World Exhibitions as well as the Neuchatl Observatory Prize in 1911 one of the most prestigious competitions to determine the accuracy of certain timepieces. The movement was miniaturised to wristwatch size in 1986 and presented at Baselworld five years later.

The Toric Tourbillon exposes the movement through an open-worked dial and sapphire caseback, but the minimalist features of the watch ensure that it does not overpower the wearer. Rather interestingly, the minute hand sits below the hour hand, which is due to the fact that the movement is an inverted version of the original Girard-Perregaux pocket watch movement from the 19th century.

The view on the movement side, while minimal, is suitably finished with perlage on the baseplate. The irregular pentagon-shaped bridge covers a majority of the wheels of the going train, while the keyless works and the ratchet wheel and wheel of the mainspring barrel are exposed. It wears engravings of the brand logo as well as technical details such as the six positions the movement is adjusted to as well as the jewel count.

Closer look

Condition

This Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Tourbillon is in excellent overall condition. The case and lugs show light superficial marks, though only on the extreme surface of the material. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfections and have been well preserved. On the reverse of all four lugs and on the buckle, the hallmarks are crisp and well defined.

Warranty

The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.