Parmigiani Toric Perpetual Calendar 18K White Gold PF000474
Parmigiani Fleurier historically have not been particularly well known among casual watch enthusiasts, but only to hard-core collectors who have long admired them for their stunning movements and amazing manufacturing breadth, supplying parts to many watch companies and being one of the few companies with the ability to create their pieces totally in-house.
Initially working as a restoration specialist, Parmigiani's workshop was responsible for the repair and restoration of for some of the world's most important collections, including the Patek Museum, Musée d’Horlogerie du Locle, the Maurice-Yves Sandoz Collection, and the Moscow Kremlin Museums. The workshop also had a hand in helping to hone the skills of the world's greatest current independent watchmakers, including Stepan Sarpaneva, Kari Voutilainen, Denis Flageollet and Raul Pages amongst others. In other words, Parmigiani is one of the most important workshops of the current era. To learn more, we'd suggest reading A Collected Man's phenomenal article on the subject.
While Parmigiani Fleurier is becoming more well-known for it's current integrated sports pieces, the true magic of this brand lies at the hands of Michel Parmigiani himself, and their initial offering, the Toric. The Toric line was classical watch making meets Baroque styling, meets classical Greek architecture, and it's one of our favourite lines from the early pioneering days of independent watchmaking.
The version we have here is one of most complex, and desirable, and is known as the Retrograde Perpetual. The white gold case measures in at 40mm, with a thickness of 11.5mm and a lug-to-lug of 48mm, and is absolutely stunning in person. With it's conical shape, it's at it's widest in the centre, and tapers down to meet the case back and stepped bezel, which gives it a visual heft looking at it from above, but a delicacy and sense of thinness when viewed form the side. The bezel itself is a work of art, with a triple-gadrons featuring two recessed coin-edged steps leading to the sapphire crystal, with a countersunk knurled crown with sapphire cabouchon that is a delight to behold, and use.
The case back also features a step into a recessed coin-edged surround, with a sapphire case back showing off the calibre PF130.2, which is based upon the Lemania 8813, with it's twin main spring barrels, solid gold rotor with guilloche engraving for its automatic winding, and lovely level of hand finishing.
The Toric Perpetual was available in three generations, which are denoted by the bezels and placement of the day and month apertures, with this being the second generation. And while the case is the star of the show for us in the Toric line, this dial is very special in its own right. It features a retrograde day indicator, set into a concentrically brushed silver track, matching that of the minute track. Inboard of this lies a barleycorn guilloche pattern upon an eggshell base, with leap year indicator, day and month apertures. All of this is topped with the Toric's signature javelin stye hour and minutes hands, with blued seconds and date hands combining with the moonphase at 6 to add a lovely dash of colour.
This particular example would date from the 2000's, and presents in near mint condition. It's just returned from a full service at Parmigiani in February 2025, and thus the case features almost no signs of wear other than the lightest hints of some small dings being removed on the side of the upper left lug, and minor swirl marks from handling.
All functions operating as they should, and remains under the balance of the 2 year manufacturers service warranty.
The strap appears to be original to the watch, and shows wear, but still plenty of life left. the buckle was not refinished, and shows some scratches.
Comes with outer box, inner box, guarantee paperwork (unstamped and undated), cleaning cloth, instructions, and service card dated February 2025.
Not sure you'll find a better example of one of Parmigiani's most celebrated pieces.
Brand: Parmigiani Fleurier
Model #: PF000474
Circa: 2000's
Case Material: 18k White Gold
Case details: 40mm
Bracelet: Parmigiani 'gator with Parmigiani 18k pin buckle
Movement: Calibre PF130.2 Automatic Perpetual
Dial: Eggshell
Hands: 18k Gold and Steel
Paraphernalia: Outer box, inner box, guarantee paperwork (unstamped and undated), cleaning cloth, instructions, and service card dated February 2025
Grading: Near Mint
Watch Vault utilises the TZ grading system. Please see below for details.