Introducing The Tonda PF Xiali Calendar by Parmigiani Fleurier

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.