Limited to only a hundred (Yes, just a hundred. And, yes: I am looking at you, Breitling) individually numbered pieces, the new Parmigiani Fleurier Transforma Rivages (ref. PFC228-3200100) automatic chronograph has its minimalistic yet distinctive-looking body crafted from lightweight titanium and high-tech carbon: a stunning combination of materials that we usually see in sports cars, space rockets, and expensive timekeepers.
The watch is powered by the same Caliber PF334 self-winding movement that also animated the old Kalpagraph Savane automatic chronograph introduced almost four years ago when the Swiss manufacturer updated their Atelier collection.
Although not terribly complex in its design, the movement is built on whole 68 jewels and offers an extended power reserve of more than 50 hours of continuous operation. It is also nicely finished featuring vertical Geneva stripes and beveled edges, and an open-worked oscillating weight with the Swiss brand’s logo.
Since the movement is the same, the watch comes with an almost identical dial layout with a small seconds indicator placed at 6 hours and the chronograph totalizers placed at 6 and 9 o’clock. The arc-shaped date aperture was moved from 12 hours to 6 hours to make more room for the brand’s familiar logo.
With its sporty design, the Parmigiani Fleurier Transforma Rivages is predictably large at 43 mm in diameter, though still quite slender at less than 13 millimeters in height.
I don’t like the two-dimensional perspective projection of a sphere, which is painted on the black (or rather a very dark grey) dial, it still looks organic thanks to the grey hour markers and hour and minute hands that match the finish of the body, as well as the blue pointers on the chronograph totalizers that are, too, color-keyed to the aforementioned sphere drawing.
The impression of a well-designed objet d’art is further enhanced thanks to its textile-looking strap, which is in fact crafted from specially treated grey calfskin. It is attached to the wrist with a titanium deployment buckle, which makes the gadget even more comfortable.
The pricing is predictably high.
In Europe, the Transforma Rivages will retail at approximately €33,500 (give or take local taxes,) which makes it as expensive as similarly specced timekeepers crafted from 18-karat gold. In return, however, you get a beautiful self-winding mechanism and a nicely designed case. I frankly think that this is a nice bargain if you can afford one.
See also: Blancpain L-Evolution Chronographe Flyback a Rattrapante Grande Date
WWR Verdict
Originality 5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Overall Legibility: 3.5/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4/5
Value for Money: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Photos: Parmigiani Fleurier
Parmigiani Fleurier Transforma Rivages Chronograph specification
Price: €33,500 (Retail)
Movement: Automatic, Caliber PF334, in-house, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 68
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 50 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph
Case: Titanium and carbon
Shape: Round
Size: 43.00 mm
Case height: 12.80 mm
Dial: Black, carbon fiber inserts
Numerals: Arabic (sub-dials)
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: Grey calfskin on a titanium deployment buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire