Ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations, Parmigiani Fleurier is delighted to unveil a new iteration of its Tonda PF Xiali Chinese Calendar, now presented in 18K rose gold. Up until now, this watch was only available in stainless steel with a platinum bezel as reference PFH982-1022501-100182. Building on the success of the steel version, this new release deepens Parmigiani Fleurier’s tribute to Chinese culture with the introduction of the Tonda PF Xiali Perpetual Calendar in warm 18K rose gold as reference PFH982-2022501-200182.
The luxurious rose gold 42 mm case—12.2 mm thick—, paired with the imperial red dial, enhances the timepiece’s regal aura, positioning it at the apex of modern luxury. Here, the mastery of Swiss watchmaking seamlessly merges with the ancient wisdom of the Xiali calendar, creating a harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation. The dial features 18K rose gold skeleton delta-shaped hands and Grain d’Orge—barley grain motif— hand-guilloché with a moon phase indicator in blue aventurine.
The rose gold Tonda PF Xiali will make its debut at ADs on January 29, 2025, coinciding with the Chinese New Year and the start of the Year of the Wood-Snake. This launch, rich in symbolism, celebrates renewal and the perfect harmony between the past and the present. Through this creation, Parmigiani Fleurier continues its dedication to preserving the art of Swiss watchmaking while honoring the timeless cultural legacies of ancient civilizations.
Explaining the Xiali Chinese Calendar and Watch Indications
Originating over 5,000 years ago, the Chinese calendar—known as Xiali—is a brilliant testament to human ingenuity. Built upon a lunisolar system, it organizes time into intricate cycles that encompass:
24 Solar Terms—or solar breaths—, govern the rhythms of the seasons and agricultural practices.
12 Zodiac Animals, each representing a year and its associated spiritual influence.
5 Natural Elements—Wood, Fire, Metal, Water, and Earth—, each with its Yin and Yang variations.
Each day and month in the Xiali calendar carries deep significance, often linked to events like harvests, festivals, and ceremonies. The calendar aligns natural forces with the cycles of human life, offering a philosophical perspective that values harmony over linear progression.
Through the Tonda PF Xiali, Parmigiani Fleurier brings this ancient wisdom to the wrist, allowing the wearer to engage in a profound dialogue with time itself. The 24 solar terms, or jieqi, are derived from the sun’s position in the Chinese zodiac, capturing shifts in climate, agriculture, and other natural phenomena that influence human life. Established by ancient Chinese farmers, these terms divide the sun’s annual path along the ecliptic—its apparent journey across the sky—into 24 segments of 15 degrees each.
Each year is split into four seasons, with six solar terms within each season, two per month. Some of these terms also coincide with traditional Chinese festivals. Every solar term carries a Chinese name, often drawn from the natural world, particularly relating to seasonal and climatic changes. These names reflect the belief that nature is our teacher, guiding us to live in harmony with her cycles.
In ancient China, solar terms were essential for agricultural planning, helping farmers align their practices with the changing seasons to maximize crop yields. Over time, these terms were incorporated into Chinese medicine and Daoist internal alchemy, offering a framework for treating ailments according to the natural rhythms of the world.
The 24 Solar Terms
Beginning of Spring (Lì Chūn)
Rain Water (Yǔ Shuǐ): As rainfall increases and temperatures rise, buds begin to emerge across the landscape. River ice melts, wild geese migrate north, and the greenery of trees and grass intensifies.
Awakening of Insects (Jīng Zhé): The surge of spring awakens insects and rouses hibernating animals, marking the peak of agricultural activity as the season shifts into full swing.
Spring Equinox (Chūn Fēn): This day marks the moment when the sun is directly above the equator, creating equal lengths of day and night. From this point, days in the northern hemisphere gradually lengthen, while nights lengthen in the southern hemisphere.
Clear and Bright (Qīng Míng)
Grain Rain (Gǔ Yǔ): Early crops begin to sprout, aligning with the proverb "rain makes hundreds of cereals grow," marking an essential period for the harvest.
Beginning of Summer (Lì Xià): On this day, the sun's rays strike the Earth at a 45-degree angle. Temperatures rise swiftly in southern China, while northern China experiences milder weather.
Grain Buds (Xiǎo Mǎn): The grains begin to ripen, but they have not yet reached full maturity.
Grain in Ear (Máng Zhōng): As crops like barley and wheat mature, farmers begin the summer planting season.
Summer Solstice (Xià Zhì): The longest day and shortest night of the year, when much of the northern hemisphere enjoys extended hours of sunshine. However, the highest temperatures won’t arrive until 20 to 30 days later.
Minor Heat (Xiǎo Shǔ): The hottest period begins, though the peak of extreme heat is still to come.
Intense Heat (Dà Shǔ): At this time, much of China enters the hottest season of the year, with temperatures in many cities soaring above 35°C.
Beginning of Autumn (Lì Qiū): Summer draws to a close, and the season of abundance begins to take shape.
Limit of Heat (Chù Shǔ) / End of Heat: Most of China bids farewell to the summer heat and transitions into the cooler days of autumn.
White Dew (Bái Lù): The true onset of autumnal coolness—temperatures gradually drop, and moisture in the air condenses into a white dew that blankets the grass and trees during the night.
Autumn Equinox (Qiū Fēn): Following this day of equal daylight and nighttime, which divides autumn into two halves, the sun’s direct rays shift southward. In the northern hemisphere, the days shorten, and the nights grow longer.
Cold Dew (Hán Lù): At this stage, temperatures have dropped significantly compared to White Dew, and the dew becomes thicker and colder. Rainfall also begins to decrease.
Frost’s Descent (Shuāng Jiàng): The final solar term of autumn, marked by much colder weather and the onset of frosts in northern regions.
Start of Winter (Lì Dōng): Winter begins, and farmers gather the autumn harvest in preparation for the colder months ahead.
Minor Snow (Xiǎo Xuě): Snow begins to fall, mainly in northern China, and temperatures continue to drop.
Major Snow (Dà Xuě): Snowfall intensifies, accumulating on the ground as temperatures approach freezing in northern China.
Winter Solstice (Dōng Zhì): The shortest day and longest night of the year, marking the solstice and the turning point toward longer days.
Minor Cold (Xiǎo Hán): Most of China enters the coldest phase of winter, with freezing temperatures causing rivers and the ground to freeze. Cold air from the north spreads southward.
Major Cold (Dà Hán): The final solar term of the lunar calendar, when snow, rain, and freezing temperatures significantly impact daily life, making it the harshest period of winter.
Things to Know About the Watch
The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Xiali Chinese Calendar Rose Gold goes beyond mere timekeeping; it becomes a bridge for universal dialogue, where time itself is a language and cultures engage in conversation. More than just a watch, it is a tribute to horological excellence and the timeless human pursuit of meaning. With the Tonda PF Xiali, Parmigiani Fleurier creates more than a timepiece; it unlocks a gateway to history, philosophy, and culture. Recognized by the specialized press, this watch stands as both a cultural and technical landmark in the world of horology. At Parmigiani Fleurier, we are proud to offer a creation where science transforms into art, culture transcends time, and every detail tells a compelling story. The 42 mm case features satin-brushed and polished finishes throughout and a total of three correctors on the casebands for adjustment of the Chinese calendar indications.
The beating heart of the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Xiali Chinese Calendar Rose Gold is the in-house Parmigiani Fleurier calibre PF008 composed of 353 parts and 42 jewels. This automatic movement provides a power reserve of 54 hours when fully wound. The movement is beautifully decorated with Côtes de Genève, bevelled bridges, and an oscillating weight: in 22K rose gold that is skeletonized, polished, and sandblasted. This watch features a display case back that allows for full view of the movement.
The elegant rose gold case, paired with an imperial red dial, exudes regal sophistication, placing this timepiece at the pinnacle of modern luxury. In this creation, the fine art of Swiss watchmaking beautifully intertwines with the ancient wisdom of the Xiali calendar. The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Xiali Chinese Calendar is water resistant to 100 meters.
Sticker Price USD 104,300. For more info on Parmigiani Fleurier click here.
