Parmigiani Fleurier Unveils the Tonda PF Xiali Calendar
Parmigiani Fleurier, the independent Swiss watchmaker renowned for its refined design language, unveiled its latest, and arguably most complex novelty, the Tonda PF Xiali Chinese Calendar.
A perpetual calendarPerpetual CalendarA watch complication that automatically tracks the date, day, month, and leap years, requiring no manual adjustment until the year 2100 in most cases. The perpetual calendar demonstrates remarkable mechanicalGo to Perpetual Calendar Glossary on its own is already a feat of unrivaled craftsmanship, but Parmigiani Fleurier pushed the boundaries further by creating the Tonda PF Xiali. The Xiali is the world’s first mechanical watch that perfectly displays the Chinese calendar, fully integrating the 24 solar terms (Jieqi), lunar phases, zodiac animals, 10 heavenly stems (10 cyclical characters used to mark dates and years), and the 12 earthly branches (representing the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac) to create a 60-year cycle.
With the Xiali, Parmigiani Fleurier has created a watch that fully integrates the time-honored system into a modern and exceptional timepiece. Wearing the moon and the stars, the dial of the Xiali features an external subdial, engraved with 24 solar terms (Jieqi) representing the rotation of the seasons and climate changes in Ancient China.
The subdial at the 3 o’clock position shows the day numbers, whether the current month is long (30 days) or short (29 days), which is vital in tracking the lunisolar calendar. The counter at the 9 o’clock shows the presence of an intercalary (leap) month, a feature designed to align the lunar and solar cycles of the Chinese calendar. The subdial at the 6 o’clock shows the moon phase in relation to the northern and southern hemispheres. The counter at the 12 o’clock indicates the current year’s name, associated with the animal of the zodiac and its corresponding element (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water), an integral component of the Chinese sexagenary cycle.
The dial’s surface is finished with a textured, hand-guilloché pattern, creating a play of light and depth. Adding to the visual appeal is its Imperial red color that evolves under varying lighting conditions. The delta-shaped skeletonized hour and minute markers are in 18-karat gold rhodium appliques, while the bracelet comes in 18-karat rose gold, bringing forth a touch of refinement and distinction.
At the core of the Xiali beats the caliber PF008, an automatic movement with 42 jewels, featuring an impressive power reserve of 54 hours, and beating at a frequency of 4Hz-28,800 A/H. The case measures 42 mm in diameter with a thickness of 12.2 mm. The glass is ARunic® anti-reflective sapphire with a sapphire case-back, and the watch is water resistant up to 100 meters.
The Xiali forms part of the Tonda PF collection, which showcases three masterpieces. The other equally impressive timepieces are the Islamic Hijri calendar and the Gregorian calendar.
Michel Parmigiani is a living legend in restoration, not only for what he did before Parmigiani and with the brand. With assistance from the Sandoz Family Foundation, the House of Parmigiani Fleurier was created and officially inaugurated at the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne on May 29, 1996.
With its rich blend of expert Swiss craftsmanship and watchmaking, the brand reflects the high caliber of Michel Parmigiani’s work. Parmigiani, then a young watchmaker and restorer, opened “Mesure et Art du Temps” in 1976, a traditional workshop devoted to restoring antique timepieces. His company restored important timepieces from the Patek PhilippePatek PhilippeA Swiss watchmaker founded in Geneva in 1839 and widely regarded as among the most prestigious in the world, known for complications, hand finishing, and its slogan about passing watchesGo to Patek Philippe Glossary Museum and the Château des Monts, further establishing its founder’s growing renown as a top watchmaker and in-demand restorer.
This article originally appeared in Robb Report Philippines’ Watches and Jewelry Issue, August 2025.