Sometimes, less is more: more expressive, more focused, more stylised, and more versatile. This philosophy also underpins the latest addition to the Wempe Signature Collection, a series launched in 2022 by the renowned luxury watch and jewellery retailer in collaboration with prestigious brands. Succeeding the release of timepieces in collaboration with Girard-Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin this year, the limited-edition Tonda PF Micro-Rotor is now being launched in partnership with Parmigiani Fleurier.
With a 40 mm stainless steel case and an ultra-slim profile of just 7.8 mm, the Wempe Signature Tonda PF Micro-Rotor embodies minimalist elegance in a unisex design. Eschewing bold logos and flashy colours, the independent Swiss watchmaker, in collaboration with Wempe, focuses on versatility. The timepiece’s understated design is equally suited for men and women, while its refined details ensure a subtle yet distinctive variety.
This approach stems from the two brands’ close attention to their customers, turning their desires into reality. As Kim-Eva Wempe, CEO and owner of Wempe, explains: “Our goal is to offer a modern alternative in the realm of haute horlogerie. After all, not everyone wants their investment in a watch to be immediately obvious in a restaurant or at work. The younger generation, as well as true watch connoisseurs, are increasingly valuing this understated elegance.”
The Wempe Signature Tonda PF Micro-Rotor seamlessly combines stainless steel and platinum. Its slim, round stainless steel case, paired with a matching integrated bracelet, sits comfortably on the wrist, while the platinum bezel adds a refined touch. With their harmonious colour tones, the components blend effortlessly, creating a unified, elegant appearance. Unlike timepieces with contrasting materials, this design enhances versatility, making the Tonda PF Micro-Rotor easy to pair with any outfit. Wearers can choose whether to make the watch a statement piece or let it remain an understated companion on the wrist.
As we will see later on, each one of the Wempe Signature Tonda PF Micro-Rotor‘s components is decorated with subtle embellishments in one way or another. For example, the different shapes of the case and bracelet are emphasised by various ways of forging the metal. The platinum bezel is knurled and highlights the round shape of the case with its vertical, fine indentations. The screw-down fluted crown bears the Parmigiani Fleurier emblem. Additionally, there are engravings on the frame of the sapphire crystal caseback. Tracing the edge of the caseback, the letterings ‘One of 25’, ‘Signature Collection’, and the engraved serial number emphasise the model’s limited availability.
The stainless steel bracelet’s folding clasp also features the manufacturer’s elegant brand emblem with its large ‘P’ and smaller ‘F’. The tapered bracelet also reveals an interplay of surface textures. While the outer links of the three bracelet link rows are polished, the two centre links are matt-finished. Additionally, the Tonda PF Micro-Rotor‘s case offers water-resistance up to 100 metres.
Wempe and Parmigiani have chosen a matte anthracite dial for this model, staying true to the minimalist ethos of the Tonda PF Micro-Rotor series, where the focus is on the essentials: timekeeping. The skeletonised delta-shaped hour and minute hands, crafted from 18-carat rose gold, sweep gracefully between the hand-applied, bar-shaped hour markers and minute indices. A discreet date display is positioned at 6 o’clock, close to the rose-gold hour marker.
To enhance both complexity and elegance, the understated dial features an exquisite wavy grain d’orge guilloche pattern. This barleycorn motif adds depth to the muted colour, with its delicate indentations creating a nuanced, shaded texture. Positioned below the 12 o’clock marker and aligned with the date display, the rose-gold brand emblem bearing the Parmigiani Fleurier monogram provides a harmonious accent. This subtle detail elevates the dial, transforming it into something very special – despite its minimalist design.
When Parmigiani Fleurier introduced its inaugural Tonda PF collection in 2021, the decision was made to feature a more delicate emblem on the dial instead of the traditional logo. This choice was intended to reinforce the minimalist design, providing ample space for reading the time while simultaneously promoting an elegant and serene modern aesthetic. The interplay between the warm rose-gold accents and the cool anthracite further enhances this refined look.
The Wempe Signature Tonda PF Micro-Rotor is driven by the self-winding PF703 manufacture calibre. True to its name, the movement is equipped with a micro-rotor, which, in this special edition, is crafted from solid 18-carat rose gold. Like the dial, the micro-rotor showcases a hand-crafted grain d’orge guilloche pattern and is adorned with an engraved PF emblem. Through their careful selection of materials and decorative elements, Wempe and Parmigiani Fleurier establish a cohesive connection between the visible movement and the dial, enhanced by the rose-gold accents and matching guilloche motif.
The open caseback offers a glimpse of the main plate, elegantly adorned with Côtes de Genève and the brand emblem in gold. Additionally, perlage, highly polished screws, and bevelled bridges contribute to a striking aesthetic that is revealed only when the timepiece is turned over. The calibre features a quick-set date function, while oscillating at a frequency of 3 Hz and boasting a power reserve of 48 hours.
The 25 limited editions of the Tonda PF Micro-Rotor Wempe Signature Collection x Parmigiani Fleurier comes with a price tag of 29,100 euros. These timepieces are now available worldwide at all Wempe boutiques with a Parmigiani Fleurier license and through Wempe’s online store.
