Hands-On With Four New Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport Models

Parmigiani Fleurier recently released four new references under a new name — Tonda PF Sport. These new watches are intended as the weekend alternative for Parmigiani collectors. In short, they are sportier versions of the integrated-bracelet stainless steel Tonda sports watch. That’s right — a sports version of a sports watch. Does that make sense? Let’s find out.

Of course, stylistically, the existing Parmigiani Tonda PF models aren’t exactly thoroughbred sports watches. They may have the robustness and specs to qualify, but they certainly lean towards the elegant side of the sports-to-formal spectrum. So that leaves space for a sportier version. But wasn’t the Tonda GT already occupying that space? Yes, it was, but the Tonda PF Sport is now taking its place.

The concept

The Tonda PF Sport seems to be an effort to boost uniformity within the Parmigiani Fleurier collection. We know that under Guido Terreni’s leadership, the brand has made major strides in this respect. The entire collection now exists of two main pillars — Tonda and Toric. Within the Tonda line, the GT used to be the sportier alternative. The new Tonda PF Sport will replace the GT with watches that are more similar to the Tonda PF. Simply put, this means more uniformity in the collection.

Lex already addressed this in his review of the Tonda PF Sport Automatic. He questioned whether there was enough differentiating between the PF and PF Sport, especially at very similar price points. Lex also questioned whether the changes weren’t, in fact, downgrades. The comments under his article were ambivalent about it, and it seems there are different ways to look at it.

What is clear is that the Tonda PF Sport is very much a Tonda PF at heart. It underwent some changes that one could explain as resulting in a sportier watch. I will get into the details in a moment. Will existing Tonda PF buyers add one of these for the weekends, as suggested? Well, maybe if you have a complicated version in rose gold, you would want the Sport in steel. If you own the “regular” PF Automatic or Chronograph, I doubt there is enough of a difference. But if any Tonda PF owners are reading this, please do share your thoughts in the comments below!

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport Automatic

Okay, so what is this new Sport Automatic model, technically? In short, it is a Tonda with a regular automatic movement rather than a micro-rotor, a slightly beefier case, a textile-textured rubber strap, fewer notches in the steel rather than platinum bezel, a bigger crown, lume, different guilloché patterns, and a central seconds hand. Plenty of changes, right? It is also CHF 2,500 cheaper than the “regular” PF, which does not seem like a huge gap when considering the lack of a bracelet, platinum bezel, and micro-rotor caliber.

Starting with the movement, compared to the Tonda PF Micro-Rotor’s caliber PF703, you now get the automatic caliber PF770/4100. This movement, while still beautiful, is almost a millimeter thicker due to the full-size rotor. However, the watch itself grew from 40mm × 7.8mm to 41mm × 9.8mm. With the same 100m water resistance rating, that means another millimeter was probably added for aesthetic reasons. The goal was obviously to make a beefier version of the Tonda PF, and perhaps the added height was needed to maintain the right proportions.

The ratios of the dial have also been changed. The new hour markers and the hands are filled with black lume, and a contrasting date window sits a little more towards the center above 6 o’clock. In addition, the bezel is a little coarser with 160 incisions rather than 225. Although you can get the bracelet from the Tonda PF, the Tonda PF Sport comes on a black strap as standard. You can have your pick of a steel (€21,700) or a rose gold version (€38,900).

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport Chronograph

On to the Tonda PF Sport Chronograph. The list of changes is the same as on the automatic. Here too, you get the new bezel, dial, and strap. This time, however, the caliber has remained the same PF070 as in the Tonda PF Chronograph. The diameter also remains 42mm, although the thickness has increased by 0.5mm.

You now also get a very cool-looking panda dial that suits the aesthetic of the watch to a tee. Paired with the “triangular nail” guilloché pattern, the silver-and-black theme looks amazing. Here too, we get black Super-LumiNova and a contrasting black date window at four-thirty.

I am unsure why the diameter of the Tonda PF Sport Chronograph isn’t larger than that of the regular Chrono. Perhaps Parmigiani felt that 42mm is plenty for a sports watch, and I agree. Then again, the 40mm Tonda PF Micro-Rotor never felt small on the wrist either, yet it was upsized while housing a caliber with a smaller diameter. The Sport Chronograph comes in steel (€29,500) and rose gold (€51,200).

Wearing the Tonda PF Sport models

Getting my hands on these watches was as much of an experience as always with Parmigiani. The feel of these watches is amazing, especially the heavy gold models. The looks are equally impressive, from the fine guilloché work on the dials to the beautiful decoration of the calibers. The automatic caliber isn’t quite as exciting to behold as the micro-rotor, but it puts many other movements to shame.

The Tonda shape does wear quite large. There is something about its profile that makes it very prominent on the wrist. For my 17cm wrist, I much prefer the 36mm version, so an upsizing wasn’t really what I was rooting for. Still, the new PF Sport models feel perfectly proportioned and sit beautifully on the wrist, especially if it is a tad larger than mine, like Laurits’s 18cm wrist you see in these photos.

The difference between these and the Tonda PF is indeed subtle. I think I would lean towards the PF over the PF Sport. But I can surely see why others may choose differently. Of all the changes, the larger crown, steel bezel, and seconds hand stood out to me the most. They do highlight a slightly different side of the Tonda’s personality. If you are a Parmigiani customer, I can only assume you have an eye for the finer details. Picking between the PF and PF Sport could be quite challenging. At the same time, especially for the automatic, it could all boil down to how they fit on your wrist.

Closing thoughts

Although the Tonda GT collection was only introduced in 2020, it seems Parmigiani wants to further unify the aesthetic. While clearly a Tonda, the GT was more distinct from the PF than the new PF Sport models are. The result of discontinuing the Tonda GT is even more cohesion in the lineup, perhaps at the expense of some variety.

From handling the watches, I can add that any criticism I have is purely conceptual. I am not entirely sure why the GT had to become even more like a PF. But in isolation, these trigger the same awe as any other current Parmigiani Fleurier creation. They remain works of master craftsmanship and pure beauty. I cannot help but feel, however, that they are more of an alternative to their Tonda PF brothers rather than a weekend backup for them. But who cares? Variety is the spice of life, is it not?

What do you think of the new Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport collection? Let us know in the comments below.