Hands on The New Toric Petite Seconde From Parmigiani Fleurier

In 2024, Parmigiani Fleurier reintroduced the legendary Toric collection, the first line ever launched by the brand’s founder, Michel Parmigiani. Among the designs that marked this revival, the Petite Seconde stood out as one of the first models to return. Last summer, the collection welcomed two new interpretations: the Golden Hour in platinum and the Dune in rose gold.

A true revival of a legend, the Toric Petite Seconde merges traditional haute horlogerie craftsmanship with a fresh, contemporary spirit. It redefines the codes of the classic dress watch through distinctive color choices and refined execution.

With us today is the watch in both of its versions, the classic formal model that embodies the brand’s most distinctive traits. We are testing it to appreciate the precision of the finishing that the company has devoted to every single component. The watch is also equipped with one of the latest in-house movements, as the brand focuses on producing most of its components within its own workshops, a philosophy established by the founder since the brand’s early years.

The brand also owns Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, one of the most renowned mechanical movement manufacturers in Switzerland and a supplier to many of the leading names in fine watchmaking.

The case measures 40.6 millimeters in diameter and 8.8 millimeters in thickness, crafted in either 950 platinum or 18-karat rose gold. Its silhouette is characterized by gentle curves without protrusions or sharp angles, complemented by polished surfaces and the Toric’s signature knurled bezel. Both sides are fitted with sapphire crystals treated with anti-reflective coating, and water resistance is rated at 30 meters.

When trying on the platinum edition, one of the first impressions is its surprisingly light weight. Despite being crafted from platinum and powered by a movement made of solid gold—two inherently heavy metals—the watch fits comfortably on the wrist and feels exceptionally well balanced.

Both editions feature hand-grained solid gold dials. Parmigiani Fleurier refers to the dial color as “Golden Hour,” a tone that sits beautifully between salmon and rose gold. This dial is entirely crafted from gold and finished by hand using a graining technique that dates back to the 1600s, a method rediscovered by Michel Parmigiani himself.

The Toric Petite Seconde Platinum Golden Hour features polished white gold hands and applied hour markers. The Rose Gold Dune edition, on the other hand, explores warm monochromatic harmony, showcasing rose gold markers and hands. Small yet meaningful details elevate the experience of ownership, such as the finely polished circlet around the small seconds subdial and the gently sloped hour track punctuated with hand-applied gold indexes. The minimalist dial bears the discreet “PF” logo, understated and elegant.

Powering both watches is the in-house Calibre PF780, a hand-wound movement crafted entirely from 18-carat rose gold. Gold is not only costly but also challenging to work with due to its softness, demanding exceptional care and precision from the watchmakers. 

The mainplate is sandblasted, while the bridges are decorated with the distinctive Côtes de Fleurier guilloché motif. Polished screws and hand-bevelled steel bridges holding the balance wheel and twin barrels create a visually striking contrast against the golden surfaces of the movement.

The movement measures just 3.15 millimeters in thickness, operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), and provides a 60-hour power reserve from its twin barrels. The use of twin barrels ensures a more consistent flow of energy to the escapement, improving rate stability and precision over time.

Each version is fitted with a hand-stitched nubuck alligator leather strap. The Golden Hour is paired with an Akoya Grey strap and secured by a platinum pin buckle, while the Dune comes with a Sand Gold strap and a rose gold buckle. The Rose Gold Dune is priced at CHF 47,000 (approximately AED 215,150), and the Platinum Golden Hour is offered at CHF 54,000 (approximately AED 247,200).

For more information, visit Parmigiani Fleurier’s official website.