To the untrained eye, the Toric Hémisphères Rétrograde from Parmigiani Fleurier presents an especially refined take on the dual-time-zone wristwatch, ideal for globe-trotters and armchair travelers alike. To those familiar with Parmigiani founder Michel Parmigiani’s background in antique watch and clock restoration, however, the 22-karat rose-gold timepiece represents everything his contemporary brand has accomplished since its founding in 1996.
The Toric case of the model, with its signature knurled bezel, appeared on Parmigiani’s first-ever creation, some two decades ago. In 2010, the brand introduced the Tonda Hémisphères, a wristwatch featuring a single calibre capable of controlling two time zones, without compromising accuracy. The piece was derived from a pocket watch, serviced in Parmigiani’s restoration workshop, containing two movements inside a single case, each responsible for its own time zone. The Toric Hémisphères Rétrograde shown here unites the twin accomplishments described above into a single handsome model. Is it any wonder that it’s a finalist in the Travel Time category of this year’s prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, a.k.a. the Oscars of watchmaking?
Parmigiani Toric Hémisphères Rétrograde, $29,500; parmigiani.com