By Rebecca Doulton in Madrid
What happens when you mix the creative juices of high-end Swiss watchmaker Parmigiani Fleurier with those of luxury Italian jeweller Pomellato? The answer is showcased by the new collection Tonda Pomellato, four beautiful ladies' watches that combine the sleek, elegant case of a classic Parmigiani watch with the motifs and colours from some of Pomellato's best-know jewellery collections.
A marriage of unique artistic talent, the alliance between Parmigiani and Pomellato is a natural fit for two companies who pride themselves on their craftsmanship and contemporary interpretation of design. The Tonda 1950 was chosen amongst Parmigiani's watches as the debutante of this new alliance.
A study in the 'less is more' field of design, the Tonda 1950 has an elegant, slim profile and beautiful proportions that highlight its uncluttered dial - an ideal canvas on which to enact this joint artistic venture. Devotees of the Milanese jeweller will spot how Pomellato's 'Arabesque' jewellery designs have migrated on to the dial of the watch, recreated with a wonderful chiaroscuro effect. To inject depth and texture onto the flat surface, the artisans covered the dial in brilliant opaline, superimposed a silkscreen-printed transfer with the arabesque swirls and then sand-blasted the surface.
All four watches have been crafted in rose gold, Pomellato's signature material. The three 'Arabesque-inspired' Tondas are presented in an off-white colour, with or without diamonds on the bezel, and a graphite-hued model with diamonds set on the lugs. The fourth watch captures the spirit of Pomellato's vibrant Capri Collection, which plays with the colours of the Amalfi coast and the azure blue waters of the Mediterranean. The dial features a beautiful turquoise stone set to light with diamonds on the bezel and lugs.
As beautiful inside as outside, the Tonda Pomellato is equipped with an ultra-thin Parmigiani Fleurier in-house automatic movement - a mere 2.6mm thick - which ensures 42 hours of autonomy and water resistance up to 30m. Every last detail has been beautifully finished, including the bevelled bridges and Côtes de Genève decorations on the movement, visible on the back through a sapphire crystal glass. The hours and minutes are represented by delicate rose gold applied indices and 'sage leaf' hands, and all four models are presented with an Hermès calf leather strap.
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