Haute
PARTNERS
Haute
262 HAUTE LIVING hauteliving.com
A time for elegance and influence marks the time for Piaget. BY JESSICA TORRENTE
FOR THOSE PROSPEROUS ENOUGH TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE SOPHISTICATION and spirit that surrounds the culture of fine jewelry and luxury watchmaking, it feels quite natural to own a piece of Piaget. Indeed, these precious creations seem to embellish those who are influential at heart — once adorning the graceful Jackie Kennedy as she tended to her first lady duties in the 1960s and unforgettably adding a glimmer of opulence to Cynthia Erivo’s humbling performance at the 2020 Oscars. But despite the triumph, glitz and elegance that Piaget exudes, the legacy behind this luxury powerhouse all began over a century ago in a small Swiss village with one young man and his timeless passion for watchmaking. Let’s take a glance back in time, shall we? The year was 1874, and Georges-Édouard Piaget was only 19 years old when he set up his first workshop at the family farm that sat on the edge of the village of La Côte-aux-Fées in the Swiss Jura mountains. Here, he ignited the Piaget reputation by dedicating his work to the craftsmanship of high-precision clock movements and components. In time, Georges-Édouard’s ambitious dream — after all, his motto was “always do better than necessary” — was passed on to his son, Timothée Piaget, who transformed the company from simply being a manufacturer of movements to a designer of high-end watches. After Piaget obtained its trademark in 1943, the family’s third generation continued fostering the company into the innovative brand we know today. Eventually, the first of Piaget’s luxury jewelry creations were exhibited at the “Salon Piaget,” which launched in Geneva in 1959. Meanwhile, the city came to harbor Piaget’s ateliers that specialized in goldsmithing and gem-setting — as you can imagine, the maison mastered every aspect that encompassed crafting fine pieces of jewelry. While the brand’s history is as rich as its pieces, it is the vibrant spirit and audacity of style that sets Piaget apart. Let’s not forget the 1963 introduction of the watches enhanced with ornamental stones in the dial that kickstarted the colorful 21st Century Collection, or the iconic 1979 Piaget Polo watch that defined casual chic to a generation of dashing polo players and the likes of “beautiful people.” It was these glamorous and daring designs that mesmerized the brightest stars who thrived amid the golden age of Piaget, including Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren and Salvador Dalí. That being said, how can someone embody a brilliant mind with exquisite tastes without donning the finest gems and ores? In an era when influence means power and respect blossoms through the demonstration of elegance, it’s time to choose Piaget. Like the sun, you may opt for the brighter things in life or wish to beam among those who surround you. Nothing complements this attitude more than the Piaget Sunlight jewelry collection, which obviously pays tribute to the king of the stars and one of the Swiss maison’s most iconic motifs. Designed with golden rays and dazzling diamonds, the collection evokes the sun’s shape and majesty. It’s no wonder this collection illuminates its wearers with joy, as each detail of every piece was meticulously crafted to radiate sunlight.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PIAGET
PARTNERS
+timeless passion
