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Bvlgari & MB&F Reimagine the Iconic Serpenti

Collaborations in watchmaking often bring together the creativity of a brand and its chosen partner, whether they be artists, athletes, or designers. However, it’s far rarer to see two well-known watchmaking powerhouses join forces. The partnership between Bvlgari and MB&F is a fascinating case, as both brands serve as creative forces in the industry with anything they put their hands on. 

Their latest collaboration, the Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti, follows their 2021 partnership, which resulted in the MB&F x Bvlgari LM FlyingT Allegra launched at Dubai Watch Week. This time, the two brands reinterpret Bvlgari’s iconic Serpenti through the mechanical artistry of MB&F’s horological machines, merging biomorphic design with high-complication watchmaking in a way that only they can.

Introducing The Tonda PF Xiali Calendar by Parmigiani Fleurier

The first watch with the complete Chinese calendar returns in luxurious rose gold

Parmigiani Fleurier celebrates the upcoming Chinese New Year with the unveiling of a highly complicated timepiece: the Tonda PF Xiali Calendar in rose gold. This extraordinary watch presents the complete Chinese calendar and is designed to display it accurately for 12 years before requiring a reset. As seen in many special editions, the next Chinese year will be the Year of the Snake.

Calendar watches are inherently complex creations, as demonstrated by Parmigiani’s groundbreaking Hijri Perpetual Calendar, the first wristwatch of its kind. The Chinese calendar, however, elevates complexity to an entirely new level by combining solar and lunar systems. The name “Xiali,” chosen for this Tonda PF calendar, translates to “Chinese Traditional Complete Calendar.”

The Chinese calendar, or Xiali, created over 5,000 years ago, is a testament to ingenuity and philosophical depth. This lunisolar system intricately weaves time into cycles defined by 24 solar terms, which mark the seasons and agricultural rhythms; 12 zodiac animals, representing years and their spiritual influences; and five natural elements, wood, fire, metal, water, and earth, each with Yin and Yang variations. Every day and month in the Xiali calendar carries profound significance, often tied to harvests, festivals, or ceremonies, aligning natural forces with human life in a harmonious, cyclical perspective. Parmigiani Fleurier brings this ancient wisdom to life with the Tonda PF Xiali, a watch that transforms this rich narrative into a captivating dialogue with time.

The Tonda PF Xiali Calendar features a 42mm rose gold case with a height of 12.2mm. Its elegant architecture is highlighted by contrasting polished and satin-brushed surfaces, complemented by a finely knurled, single-piece bezel crafted from rose gold, a departure from the usual platinum bezel seen in other PF editions. Both sides of the watch are protected by sapphire crystal, and the case is water-resistant to 100 meters.

The dial, in a deep Imperial Red, a color significant in Chinese tradition—is adorned with Parmigiani’s signature Grain d’Orge guilloché pattern. Applied gold indices and skeletonized delta-shaped hands, both crafted from rose gold, enhance the watch's sophisticated aesthetic.

 

The dial layout includes four sub-dials:

The sub-dial at 12 o’clock displays the year’s name on the periphery, along with the corresponding zodiac animal and element.

At 3 o’clock, the sub-dial indicates the day number (1 to 29 or 1 to 30) and features an aperture showing whether the month is long or short.

The sub-dial at 6 o’clock houses a moon phase indicator with a blue aventurine sky.

At 9 o’clock, the sub-dial shows the month number (1 to 12) and includes an aperture to indicate whether an additional intercalary month is included.

The outermost edge of the dial displays the 24 solar terms, completing the comprehensive depiction of the Chinese calendar.

Powering this masterpiece is the in-house calibre PF008, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. The movement, composed of 353 components, features exquisite Côtes de Genève finishing and a 22k rose gold openworked rotor. It delivers a 54-hour power reserve and is mechanically programmed to cover a 12-year cycle using a cam system. If the watch remains running, the indications will stay accurate for 12 years. If it stops, the day and month can be quickly adjusted using a corrector on the caseband. After 12 years, the watch requires a full reset.

The Tonda PF Xiali alendar is paired with a polished and satin-finished rose gold bracelet, secured by a folding clasp. Priced at CHF 97,000 (approximately AED 390,700), this exceptional timepiece is a celebration of tradition, craftsmanship, and mechanical ingenuity.

 

For more information, visit Parmigiani Fleurier official website.

Technical specifications: Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Xiali Calendar
  1. Reference:  PFH982-2022501-200182
  2. Case:  rose gold case, Polished and satin-finished, knurled bezel, anti-reflective sapphire crystal from dial and case back, two pushers and crown in the right side 
  3. Size: 42 mm
  4. Thickness: 12.2 mm
  5. Water resistance: 100 m
  6. Dial:  Imperial Red, hand-finished guilloche, applied hour gold indices, skeletonized delta hour and minute hands crafted from gold, Blue aventurine base for the moon phase indicator
  7. Movement: In-house PF008, Automatic, skeletonized rotor is made of rose gold,   Côtes de Genève and perlage throughout, components 353, Jewels 42
  8. Power reserve: 54 hours
  9. Frequency:   28,800 vph (4 Hz)
  10. Functions: hours, minutes, Moon phase indicator, complete chinese calendar 
  11. Bracelet / Strap:  rose gold bracelet with a folding clasp
  12. Price: CHF 97,000 / 390,700 AED

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