INTERVIEW
CHRISTOPHE BOURRIÉ – PIAGET HIGH JEWELLERY & EXCEPTIONAL CREATIONS GLOBAL DIRECTOR
EXQUISITE Craftsmanship
T
he Time Place Magazine recently spoke with Piaget High Jewellery & Exceptional Creations Global Director, Christophe Bourrié, about his passion for gems and the brand’s unparalleled prowess in exquisite jewellery creation.
was dedicated for the brand’s luxury jewellery creations in 1959. Could you tell us about the evolution of Piaget’s jewellery portfolio? And what does your role entail as High Jewellery & Exceptional Creations Director at Piaget?
You have a rich background in the luxury industry. Could you tell us what particularly fascinates you about watches and jewellery?
Our High Jewellery history definitely takes its roots from watchmaking. It is true that when the Piaget family opened its first Salon in Geneva in 1959, they started to propose unique jewellery creations matching their high-end watches. This is how it all began. Up to the year 2000, Piaget mainly presented one-of-a-kind creations that were individually presented to the Piaget Society across the world.
The Extraordinary Lights set also comes with these dazzling earrings
Twenty years ago, Piaget started to present its High Jewellery offerings through yearly creative collections, paying tribute to a theme dear to the brand and telling a unique story. My role at Piaget is to further develop this unique saga whether in terms of creations portfolio or client development. We have great ambitions for High Jewellery, which has become a fully dedicated business unit that enables us to fully embrace this challenge.
ing to a 3D jewellery creation. Inversely, the Cote-aux-Fées manufacture perpetuates the Brand’s unrivalled expertise in ultra-thin watchmaking. I am always amazed to see the dexterity and patience of our watchmakers assembling the AUC movement for example. The world of gemmology is mesmerising to me. Especially also the geological origin of the stones and how they were created. They are really unique gifts of Mother Nature. I am very privileged at Piaget to have the opportunity to regularly see some of the most exceptional gemstones in the market. The High Jewellery & Exceptional Creations was a newly created business unit back in 2019, but as we know Piaget launched its first “Salon Piaget” which
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Piaget’s jewellery creations are known to be made of the finest and purest gemstones. Could you tell us about the sourcing and quality control processes of these gemstones?
The Extraordinary Lights set includes this necklace, which is a masterpiece of stunning craftsmanship
With regards to sourcing, Piaget only works with the most exclusive suppliers of gemstones, as we are looking only for the finest material. Our suppliers have been carefully selected and we have a long lasting relation-
By Erika Tania Dessyandra
My two main fascinations are: Ultimate Craftsmanship and Gemstones. Piaget is a historical brand dating back to 1874, with a double expertise in both watchmaking and jewellery. The High Jewellery atelier in Planles-Ouates perpetuates traditional High Jewellery craftsmanship. It is unique to observe a creation coming to life, from a 2D draw-
