Sameera Gamage 
Parmigiani Fleurier’s Toric Quantième Perpétuel is a modern take on classical watchmaking with its beautifully minimalist perpetual calendar and stunning craftsmanship.
During this year’s Watches & Wonders, Parmigiani Fleurier introduced what I believe is one of the most elegant perpetual calendar timepeices to date. The Toric Quantième Perpétuel is a stunning expression of Parmigiani Fleurier’s dedication to classical design and high horology. The timepiece perfectly captures the ethos of Parmigiani Fleurier “where luxury is seen as an intimate art in which purity guides knowledge and tranforms objects into serene beauty”.
It’s said that Michel Parmigiani has a profound fascination with calendars and their peotic ability to tame the course of time. The Toric Collection already featured a perpetual calendar complication, however, with a retrograde mechanism that indicated the date. For this latest take on the perpetual calendar, Parmigiani Fleurier has thoughtfully redesigned the layout to offer a unique perspective on the complication, shown through a minimalist view. The Toric Quantième Perpétuel joins the prestigious family of Gregorian, Chinese, and Muslim calendars already offered by the House.
The Toric Collection was the first watch line designed by Michel Parmigiani in 1996, and remains one of the cornerstones of the brand’s classical design codes. The collection is inspired by ancient architecture, especially Doric columns and the golden ratio. The Toric case in particular is known for its elegance, the fluted bezel, rounded lugs and its overall slim profile. With this elegant approach to the case design, the dial has to be executed in a way to complement it, keeping it as less cluttered as possible.
Parmigiani Fleurier is offering the Toric Quantième Perpétuel in two highly exclusive editions that is limited to 50 models each. As this is the first time the Perpetual Calendar is gracing the Toric colleciton in this manner, Michel Parmigiani is offering the timepeices in either 18ct rose gold or platinium models, embodying the brand’s contemporary spirit.
Case Design
The Toric collection has always been about elegance, while drawing inspiration from ancient design codes. The lines of the case reflect this, having a pure minimalist approach. The case doesnt feature sharp lines, with the lugs being beautifully curved to have a refined and stylish aesthetic. The only part of the case that breaks this natural elegance is the fluted bezel. This fluted bezel is hand-knurled by artisans using a traditional lathe, with the fine groves of the bezel catching light in a subtle way, adding another dimension to the timepieces visual aesthetic.
As mentioned earlier, the case is offered in either 18-carat rose gold or 950 platinum. These materials perfectly complement the dial colours on offer, while elevating the watches elegance and luxury appeal. The timepeices also come with an open case back which showcases the exemplary level of craftsmanship the brand is known for.
Dial Design
Minimalistic design is the central theme in most of Parmigiani Fluerier’s collections. With something as complex as a perpetual calendar, however, being too simplistic may lessen the appeal of complication. It’s certainly an outstanding feat to be able to reduce the complication down to be seen as bare minimum, but for me personally, it’s a fine line of showing just enough while being minimalistic, of balancing technical complexity with visual elegance. The Toric Quantième Perpétuel walks this line beautifully, revealing the sophistication of its perpetual calendar function without overwhelming the purity of its design. It’s a true testament to Parmigiani Fleurier’s philosophy: timeless refinement, with just the right touch of mechanical poetry.
With these two new Toric Quantième Perpétuel models, we are presented with either an ultra-luminous blue dial or a “Golden Hour” shade dial, that are beautifully hand-grained using an ancient technique. The blue dial perfectly complements the 950 platinum case, while the soft and warm “Golden Hour” shade is encased in 18-carat rose gold. Both these models offer two different distinctive looks that beautifully express the Toric spirit.
The perpetual calendar is kept minimalistic and refined, shown only through a dual counter layout on the dial. This for me is one of the most elegant and simplistic ways to show the perpetual calendar, without detracting from how complex this mechanism truly is. Position at 4 o’clock is the counter that shows the month and leap year indications, shown through a large and small hand respectively. Positioned at 8 o’clock is the day-of-the-week and the date indications, once again shown through seperate hands respectively. There are three correctors that are discreetly located on the side of the case, which facilitates the adjusment of the different calendar functions.
Movement
At the heart of these new Toric Quantième Perpétuel timepieces is the PF733 manual winding manufacture movement. The movment has the base of the manual winding Small Seconds Toric released in 2024, with the addition of the perpetual calendar complication (and the removal of the small seconds). The movement features a total of 265 components, has a 60 hour power reserve and is able to operate at an impressive 4Hz (28,800 VpH) frequency.
Through the open caseback, both timepieces feautre the same beautifully decorated layout. The movement features dual-barrels that give the 60 hour power reserve. The steel bridges are hand-bevelled, which contrasts nicely against the surrounding 18-carat rose gold surfaces with the Côtes de Fleurier decorative finishing.
Initial Thoughts
The Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Quantième Perpétuel, for me, is a masterful display of how traditional watchmaking can be presented in a minimal aesthetic. Every detail of these two new timepieces, from the fluted bezel, elegantly shaped case to the understated dial counter perpetual calendar display, speaks to a quiet sophistication that defines the brand. The two colour choices on offer gives collectors two disctinctive choices, with both timepieces having a high-level of craftsmanship.
Personally, I favour the platinum morning blue dial as the contrasts between the 18ct gold rhodium-plated hour indices and hands stand out beautifully against the blue, whereas the 18ct rose gold elements of the “Golden Hour” dial is more subdued. Regardless of choice, Parmigiani Fleurier has been able to create a set perpetual calendar timepeices that showcases the technical brilliance of the movement, while simultanously displaying minimalist beauty!
Specification: Toric Quantième Perpétuel (Morning Blue – PFH952-2010002-3001811) (Golden Hour – PFH952-2010001-300181)
- Dimensions: 40.6mm x 10.9mm thick
- Case Material: Polished platinum 950 or Polished 18ct rose gold
- Dial: Morning Blue with hand-applied 18ct gold rhodium-plated appliques, or Golden Hour with hand-applied 18ct rose gold appliques.
- Movement: In-house PF733 Calibre
- Movement Power reserve: 60 hours operating at 4Hz (28,800 VpH)
- Crystal: ARunic anti-reflective sapphir
- Bracelet/Strap: Akoya Grey hand-stitched nubuck alligator leather with platinum 950 buckle or Arctic Grey hand-stitched nubuck alligator leather with 18ct rose gold pin buckle.
