PIAGET

Piaget’s philosophy has been to always push the limits, to challenge what exists, and as Valentin Piaget frequently liked to say, “to do what has never been done before.” At this year’s Watches and Wonders Geneva, Piaget showcases its high watchmaking skills and expertise through a unique ground-breaking timepiece as well as its gemsetting proficiency in a wide array of new releases.

DARE TO DREAM

Following last year’s release of the Altiplano Ultimate Concept (AUC) with a green dial in reference to La Côte-aux-Fées, where it all started, Piaget recently unveiled a unique Altiplano Ultimate Concept which pays tribute to the first “beats” of this ground-breaking timepiece.

In essence, this one-of-a-kind watch uniquely brings together several stylistic details that recall the incredible journey of the timepiece that won the prestigious Aiguille d’Or prize from the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Case in point: the Piaget logo at the top of the dial is in a historic font that is the same typeface used in the logo above the manufacture in La Côte-aux-Fées, the village where Piaget was born and remains today.

1

MESMERISING

Designs

PIAGET COMBINES A SPECTACULAR FUSION OF HOROLOGICAL ELEMENTS WITH HIGH JEWELLERY ART IN ITS NEW TIMEPIECES

2

3

Moreover, the main plate bears a subtle engraving of the birthday of the AUC, 7th February 2017, in a small window, while an engraved “La Côte-aux-Fées” inscription along with the manufacture’s GPS coordinates as well as two enlarged circles that marks the time 7:47 in the minute ring—which indicates when the AUC first came to life and took its first “beat”— round off the tribute.

However, what’s truly remarkable about this timepiece is the fusion of exquisite watchmaking knowhow. Mind you, most timepieces are made up of four layers, namely the bezel and crystal, the dial and hands, the movement, and also the case back. Amazingly, Piaget removed this four-layer construction to create a fusion of components in a timepiece that is a mere 2 mm in height from the underside of the case back to the top of the sapphire crystal.

NATURAL BEAUTY

Moving on to the “Atelier de l’Extraordinaire,” where the High Jewellery creations are set at Piaget, the Maison’s gem-setters are constantly experimenting with new ideas, following the Maison’s motto to “always do better than necessary.” To this end, Piaget showcases its savoir-faire in bringing out the natural beauty of gems through the Limelight Gala High Jewellery and Limelight Gala Precious.

The Limelight Gala High Jewellery timepiece is the result of decades of experience in goldsmithing and gem-setting at the highest level. Over 175 hours of high jewellery expertise are needed to complete just one timepiece with over 250 diamonds coming into play. Crafted from 18-carat white gold, the mix of diamond cuts is combined with a medley of setting techniques that give the timepiece its resolutely modern appeal.

Meanwhile, the Limelight Gala Precious highlights a malachite dial framed with a beautiful-

4

5

ly coloured gradient setting of tsavorites and diamonds on the asymmetrical bezel. More importantly, it is also paired with Piaget’s signature engraved Palace Décor bracelet whose texture is so fine that it looks almost like the fabric from an haute couture gown. Housed in a 32 mm white gold case, the timepiece dazzles with 174 diamonds and 22 tsavorites, and it is driven by the Manufacture automatic movement 501P1 that is on full view through a sapphire case back.

In the end, these new creations surely attest to Piaget’s legitimacy and inventiveness in pushing the limits of creativity and refinement where design and technology become one; furthermore, they are testament to the brand’s longstanding excellence and identity in the world of jewellery watches.

1. Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept (G0A4750) 2. The watch measures a mere 2 mm in height 3. Making of the Piaget Limelight Gala Precious (G0A47188) 4. Piaget Limelight Gala Precious (G0A47188) 5. Piaget Limelight Gala High Jewellery (G0A45170)