2012/11/10 - Piaget Exceptional Pieces - Art dedicated to aesthetics

 

 

The daily equation facing Piaget is a daunting one indeed: pursue the challenge of achieving excellence; perpetuate the tradition of mechanical watchmaking; exalt the beauty of its jewellery creations; and remain open to high-precision technologies. All of which must be done in a spirit of aesthetic beauty. Five models testify to this unique expertise and are truly worthy to be referred to as Grandes Complications.

Since 1874, Piaget has been interpreted time through excellence. In almost 140 years, the brand has introduced some legendary creations and has been a pioneer in a number of fields. Its High Jewellery watches are crafted in the finest watchmaking traditions and radiate authentic aesthetic creativity. Five of them provide a particularly dazzling demonstration of this reality.

Twin watch and jewellery-making expertise
When it comes to Grandes Complications, one must first cast a glance at company history. From the workshop of Georges-Edouard Piaget, created in La Côte-aux Fées in 1874, to the international-scale luxury brand it has now become, Piaget has succeeded within almost a century and half in developing an exceptional two-fold watchmaking and jewellery expertise. Located in two sites – La Côte-aux-Fées in the Neuchâtel Jura region and in Plan-les-Ouates near Geneva – both of which have made a speciality of one of these skills, Piaget presents exclusive models that transcend the constraints of time.

This technical virtuosity is brilliantly highlighted in the Emperador Perpetual Calendar model which houses the 856P Manufacture Piaget ultra-thin movement, combining a perpetual calendar and a dual time-zone with retrograde date and day displays, with classic displays of the months and leap-years. The indications appear on a particularly elegant black mother-of-pearl dial. The case (including the profiles), the hourmarkers, the rim of the sapphire crystal case-back, the buckle and even the oscillating weight that may beadmired through the transparent case-back, are all lavishly set with baguette- and brilliant-cut diamonds. The admirably elegant case and sides are enhanced by ideally calibrated baguette-cut diamonds beautifully moulding the cushion shape of the case. Over 100 hours of gem-setting were required to craft this numbered model studded with 560 brilliant- and baguette-cut diamonds totalling approximately 15.3 carats.

A second illustration is provided by the Emperador Tourbillon watch epitomising the brand’s genetic heritage: unique competence in the field of ultra-thin movements, combined with a determination to develop consistently innovative and creative complicated calibres. Calibre 1270P is Piaget’s first ultra-thin automatic tourbillon movement, measuring a mere 5.55 mm thick. Fully revealed through a sapphire crystal dial, this feat is also highlighted by exceptionally sophisticated gemsetting. Baguette and brilliant-cut diamonds adorn the case and its sides, including the exhibition case-back revealing the tourbillon carriage and the powerreserve display, as well as the folding clasps and the rings surrounding the oscillating weight and the Tourbillon. Over 140 hours of gemsetting were required to craft this numbered model featuring 18.4 carats of diamonds.

The grandeur of the infinitely small
The Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Piaget’s other field of undeniable historical legitimacy lies in its mastery of ultra-thin watchmaking. Since 1957 and the launch of the 9P movement measuring just 2 mm thick, its expertise in the field of ultra-thin movements has given rise to a number of complex calibres and to one of the brand’s most iconic lines, Altiplano. Following in its wake, other models have risen to the challenge of extreme slenderness, including the Dancer openworked watch that provides an opportunity to explore a number of skills including gemsetting a skeleton movement.

It is indeed the world’s thinnest gemset mechanical watch. It features the exquisite grace of a white gold Haute Horlogerie and Haute Joaillerie interpretation. Its slim case lends itself perfectly to the expertise of extremely precise gemsetting. Only the dextrous hands of the jewellery and gemsetters, only the most experienced eye, can guarantee the meticulous care devoted to such a work of art. This unique creation is the culmination of 700 hours of development and 325 hours of gemsetting. Around 1,194 brilliant and baguettecut diamonds, totalling approximately 31.8 carats, sparkle on this model beating to the rhythm of gemset Calibre 838D. It is a spectacular show of transparency that meets the gaze. The movement appears to be floating weightless in mid-air, looking much like a luxurious openworked embroidery that makes an elegant match for the suppleness and comfort of a chic and elegant bracelet.

Echoing this slender model is an exceptional Altiplano creation. The world’s thinnest automatic watch (at 6.44 mm thick), it sets a majestic stage for the beauty of the world’s thinnest automatic movement, 2.35 mm thick Calibre 1200P. This miniature marvel and its unique gemsetting may be admired through a sapphire crystal fitted in the exhibition caseback and notably revealing the platinum oscillating weight engraved with the Piaget crest. On a par with the technical prowess within, this creation reflecting the elegant design codes of the Altiplano collection is clothed in fiery splendour. On the dial, slim black baton-type hour-markers make a striking contrast with the hour-markers sparkling in the light of baguette-cut diamonds, while the case, lugs and even the folding clasp shine with baguette- or brilliant-cut diamonds. In all, 260 hours of development and over 30 hours of gemsetting (totalling 9.2 carats) have been lavished on crafting this dazzling model.

A superlative treasure
Pushing back the technical boundaries of what is deemed humanly possible in order to tailor shapes and sizes to the tastes of contemporary fashions, Piaget tirelessly pursues its quest to achieve ever-greater jewellery-making excellence.

Exuding exceptional stylistic purity, the Haute Joaillerie Classique watch brilliantly reveals carefully shaped and calibrated diamonds. From dial to case to bracelet, harmony reigns supreme: not a single trace of gold interrupts the seamlessly integrated design. The baguette-cut diamonds are claw-set to provide ample space for the gems. The Parisian mesh bracelet ensures an impeccably comfortable and supple feel on the wrist.

The presence of open-back stones set along the profile of the case and bracelet endow the model with an ultimate touch of refinement. Its dial is also distinguished by a sunburst setting of 32 baguette-cut diamonds totalling 5.6 carats and calibrated to form triangles fanning out around the hour-wheel. It took no less than 150 hours to set the 277 diamonds totalling 49.7 carats. The full measure of Piaget’s creative and jewellerymaking passion has been expressed in an astonishingly light and airy manner on this exceptional piece, thanks to the slenderness of the 40P ultra-thin mechanical hand-wound movement driving the hour and minute functions.

Each in its own way, the five exceptional models tell the epic story of one of the greatest manufacturers in watchmaking history, Piaget. By uniting their classic features with modern technologies, they are writing a stellar new chapter in a new era of the legend. Their authentic difference lies in offering an original and singular means of merging the pragmatic functions and the aesthetic dimensions of the timepiece while adapting equally well to both masculine and feminine wrists. The tradition, audacity, aestheticism and innovation they convey the distinct sense that the future will bring forth more fruit from such flights of creative imagination.

 

Dancer Skeleton watch – 41 mm

 

Limelight watch – 32 x 34 mm

 

Piaget Emperador cushion-shaped watch – 49 mm

 

Piaget Emperador tourbillon cushion-shaped – 49 mm

 

Piaget Altiplano watch – 41 mm

 

Technical Specifications

Dancer Skeleton watch – 41 mm
Ref. : G0A37050

• Case in 18K, white gold set with 144 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx.
  1.2 cts) and 52 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 2.8 cts).
• Crown set with 14 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.2 ct). Bracelet in white gold
  set with 277 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 2.6 cts) and 488 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 24.4 cts).
• Sapphire crystal case back.
  
• Manufacture Piaget 838D ultra-thin mechanical skeleton movement set in white gold with manual winding and small seconds.
  
• Movement set with 219 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.5 ct) and 8 black sapphires (approx. 0.2 ct).
  
• Functions : Small seconds at 10 o'clock, Hours, Minutes
  
• Technical features : Balance with screws
  
• Power reserve (in hours) : Approx. 61
  
• Frequency (vph) : 21,600
  
• Frequency (Hz) : 3
  
• Diameter (lines) : 12.00
  
• Diameter (mm) : 26.8
  
• Number of jewels : 19
  
• Thickness (mm) : 3.1
  
• Number of components : 131
  
• Finishing : Bridges circular-grained, drawn and bevelled by hand, Guilloché sunburst motif, Mainplate circular-grained, drawn and bevelled by hand.
  

Limelight watch – 32 x 34 mm
Ref. : G0A00685

• Case in 18K white gold set with 34 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 10.6 cts). Dial set with 32 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 5.6 cts).
  
• Bracelet in white gold 18K set with 211 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 33.5 cts).
  
• Manufacture Piaget 40P ultra-thin mechanical movement with manual winding.
  
• Functions : Minutes, Hours
  
• Power reserve (in hours) : Approx. 36
  
• Frequency (vph) : 21,600
  
• Frequency (Hz) : 3
  
• Diameter (lines) : 6.25
  
• Diameter (mm) : 14.2
  
• Number of jewels : 19
  
• Thickness (mm) : 2
  
• Number of components : 97
  
• Finishing : Mainplate circular-grained by hand, Straight Côtes de Genève, Blued screws, Bridges bevelled and drawn by hand.
  

Piaget Emperador cushion-shaped watch – 49 mm
Ref. : G0A37020

• Case in 18K white gold set with 120 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 10.3 cts) and 380 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 2.2 cts).
• Black mother-of-pearl dial with hour-markers set with 12 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 0.3 ct).
• Crown set with a brilliant-cut diamond (approx. 0.3 ct) and 8 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 0.3 ct).
  
• Bracelet in black alligator.
• Sapphire crystal case back.
  
• Manufacture Piaget 856P self-winding ultra-thin Perpetual Calendar gem-set mechanical movement with retrograde day and date and second time-zone display.
  
• Movement set with 25 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.2 ct).
  
• Functions : Hours, Minutes, Small seconds at 4 o'clock, Retrograde date display at 3 o'clock, Retrograde day display at 9 o'clock, Second time zone at 8 o'clock (12 hours), Day/night indicator at 8 o'clock synchronised with the main time zone, Month at 12 o'clock, Year at 12 o'clock
  
• Technical features : Gem-set oscillating weight, Retrograde day and date displays,
• Balance with screws, Double barrel
  
• Power reserve (in hours) : Approx. 72
  
• Frequency (vph) : 21,600
  
• Frequency (Hz) : 3
  
• Diameter (lines) : 12.50
  
• Diameter (mm) : 28.4
  
• Number of jewels : 38
  
• Thickness (mm) : 5.6
  
• Number of components : 343
  
• Finishing : Circular Côtes de Genève, Circular-grained mainplate, Bevelled bridges, Mainplate engraved with the Piaget coat of arms, Blued screws, Oscillating weight engraved with the Piaget coat of arms.
  
• Numbered edition.
  

Piaget Emperador tourbillon cushion-shaped – 49 mm
Ref. : G0A37039

• Case in 18K white gold set with 136 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 9.9 cts) and 875 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 6.1 cts).
• Dial set with 107 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.2 ct). Crown set with a brilliant-cut diamond (approx. 0.3 ct) and 8 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 0.2 ct).
• Bracelet in black alligator. Buckle set with 24 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 1.7 cts).
• Small sapphire crystal case back.
  
• Manufacture Piaget 1270P self-winding ultra-thin tourbillon mechanical movement with power reserve indicator.
  
• Functions : Hours at 5 o'clock, Minutes at 5 o'clock, Seconds, Power reserve indicator
  
• Technical features : Ultra-thin movement, Off-centred micro-rotor in gold, Flying tourbillon at 1 o'clock, Titanium carriage
  
• Power reserve (in hours) : Approx. 44
• Frequency (vph) : 21,600
  
• Frequency (Hz) : 3
  
• Diameter (lines) : 15.50
  
• Diameter (mm) : 34.9
  
• Number of jewels : 35
  
• Thickness (mm) : 5.5
  
• Number of components : 269
  
• Finishing : Mainplate with guilloché and satin-brushed sunburst motif starting at the Hours and Minutes, Circular Côtes de Genève starting at the centre of the Tourbillon, Circular-grained mainplate and bridges, Mainplate drawn by hand, Bridges bevelled, circulargrained and drawn by hand, Bridges with satin-brushed sunburst motif, Circular-grained wheels, Barrel-cover with satin-brushed sunburst motif, Blued screws, Gold oscillating weight engraved with the Piaget coat of arms.
  
• Limited edition.

Piaget Altiplano watch – 41 mm
Ref. : G0A37128

• Case in 18K white gold set with 313 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 1.7 cts) and 48 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 2.5 cts).
• Dial with hour-markers set with 155 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 1.8 cts) and 36 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 3 cts).
• Crown set with a brilliant-cut diamond (approx. 0.1 ct).
• Bracelet in black alligator.
  
• Buckle set with 24 brilliant cut diamonds (approx. 0.06 ct).
• Sapphire case back.
  
• Manufacture Piaget 1200P ultra-thin self-winding mechanical movement, the thinnest in the world (2.35 mm thick).
  
• Functions : Minutes, Hours
  
• Technical features : Balance stop, Index-assembly signed with a letter "P" for Piaget, Off-centred micro-rotor in platinum
  
• Power reserve (in hours) : Approx. 44
  
• Frequency (vph) : 21,600
• Frequency (Hz) : 3
  
• Diameter (lines) : 13.25
  
• Diameter (mm) : 29.9
  
• Number of jewels : 25
  
• Thickness (mm) : 2.35
  
• Number of components: 180
  
• Finishing : Oscillating weight engraved with the number of the limited edition, Bevelled bridges, Platinum oscillating weight engraved with the Piaget coat of arms, Blued screws, Wheels with sunburst motif, Circular-grained mainplate, Circular Côtes de Genève.