Sneak previews of new timepieces making their debut at SIHH 2019 next month continue to make their way to our desks, like little stocking stuffers ahead of the big haul on Christmas morning. Recently received from Parmigiani Fleurier is the one you’ll discover below, a new rose-gold version of its Tonda Metropolitaine Sélène, a feminine moon-phase watch that debuted in 2016 in steel.
Parmigiani Tonda Metropolitaine Sélène in rose gold, on leather strap and gold bracelet.
Like its predecessor, the new gold-encased Sélène is distinguished by its highly reflective white mother-of-pearl dial with a lotus flower motif in the center; here, however, the lotus flower is made of solid rose gold, whereas on the original steel models it was constructed from mother-of-pearl lace. The moon-phase display is also special, with the two lunar disks’ realistic cratered surface achieved with a process of successive layered decals applied by hand. These russet-colored moons emerge from, and nestle beneath, the wisps of cloud created by the white mother-of-pearl. Of course, all the recognizable elements of Parmigiani’s Tonda dial are also present, including the skeletonized, Delta-shaped hour and minute hands, wedge-shaped hour appliqués (here in rose gold) and semicircular date window at 6 o’clock inside a small seconds subdial. The mother-of-pearl dial features a realistic moon-phase and a gold lotus flower.
The 18k gold case includes the characteristic curving ...