Introducing: All The New Piaget Models

April 07, 2021

This year, Piaget drilled down on what it does best, delivering an array of new options in three specialized disciplines: Ultra-thins, skeletons, and high-jewelry watches. Let's get right to them, shall we? Initial Thoughts AltiplanoNamed for the famously flat Altiplano region of south-eastern Peru and western Bolivia, Piaget's ultra-thin Altiplano collection made its debut in 1998 and has embodied refined elegance ever since. The maison's legacy in ultra-thin watchmaking stretches all the way back to 1957's hand-wound 9P caliber, measuring a staggeringly slender 2.0mm thick. Piaget then applied that expertise to creating an automatic ultra-thin, the record-breaking 2.3-mm-thick 12P caliber, which debuted in 1960. For decades, Piaget led the field in this challenging specialty, and in 2018, it pushed the envelope to extremes with the prototype Altiplano Ultimate Concept. Six years in development with five patents pending, the Ultimate Concept shaved off every possible millimeter to achieve an astounding 2.0-mm-thick case, the same as a nickel. The concept piece filtered into the commercial market last year and captured the coveted "Aiguille d'Or" at the 2020 Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Genve (GPHG). The new Altiplano Ultimate Concept "Tribute to La C?te-aux-Fes" edition took inspiration from the rolling green hills and valleys surrounding the town in the Swiss Jura where Piaget got its start. The Tribute piece is distinguished with a bridge, screws, hands, and dial in deep green complemented with a matching alligator leather strap. The wafer-thin 41mm cobalt alloy case is polished to a high shine, and the textured mainplate is engraved with 1874, the year the company was founded. Taking a more classical approach, the Altiplano Origin stays true to Altiplano's roots with three new 35mm models. Choose from a reserved rose-gold case or go for a little sparkle in rose or white gold with a bezel set with 76 brilliant-cut diamonds. All three are powered by the self-winding 501P movement, a first for this case size. With or without diamonds, the Altiplano Concept will appeal to purists who appreciate understated elegance and the authenticity of its in-house automatic mechanical movement on full display through a sapphire crystal caseback. With a closer look at the dial, you'll notice a subtle Altiplano signature beneath the eight o'clock marker. Quick change straps endow all three with a range of personalities, so you can switch looks without the hassle of tools. Polo SkeletonThe new Polo Skeleton line added some mega-wattage siblings with four new models in 18K gold, taking full advantage of the in-house gold foundry and precious metal case-making facility, a rarity in the industry. The 42mm rose-gold iteration features a contrasting dark blue skeletal framework, which is also used in a new white-gold version with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 1.59 carats framing the open-worked movement. A high-jewelry version dazzles with 148 brilliant-cut diamonds and 132 baguette-cuts set on the case and flange, plus another 292 brilliant-cut diamonds and 11 brilliant-cut sapphires decorating the white-gold, skeletonized 1200D1 movement. Setting a movement with gems is a feat in itself. At 7.99mm, the Polo Skeleton High Jewelry measures slightly thicker than the standard Polo Skeletons. And for those who live by the more-is-more mantra, the high-jewelry version is also available on a jeweled bracelet fully set with 184 baguette-cut diamonds and 1,258 brilliants with a combined weight of 15.6 carats. Limelight GalaPiaget also put its extraordinary jeweling skills in the spotlight with six new limited editions in the ultra-glam Limelight Gala line. The dramatic design with its seamlessly integrated bracelet and gem-set bezel and asymmetrical lugs traces its lineage to the 1970s, when the brand's Piaget Society hosted fab parties for its glitterati fan base, including Salvador Dali, Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol, Cary Grant, and Sammy Davis Jr. Channeling that colorful, creative spirit are a trio set with gradient-colored sapphires inspired by the sun at different phases of the day C Precious Sunrise, Precious Zenith, and Precious Sunset. Each is powered by the brand's automatic Calibre 501P1 movement. Set with 32 brilliant-cut blue sapphires and 10 diamonds, the Precious Sunrise, limited to 18 pieces, evokes the deep blue sky on a clear, sunny morning. The dial is frosted with 289 snow-set diamonds in varying sizes for a dimensional effect. The supple white gold Palace Dcor engraved bracelet, a house signature since the 1960s, requires more than eight hours to produce. Limited to eight pieces, the Precious Zenith pairs a snow-set diamond dial with warm, yellow sapphires and diamonds set on the case and bracelet, while the Precious Sunset, limited to 50 pieces on a white satin strap, is set with pink sapphires of varying intensity and diamonds. A phenomenal Australian black opal serves as the captivating dial for the Limelight Gala High Jewellery Black Opal powered by the brand's 56P quartz movement. The bracelets elongated curves are exaggerated with an outer row of 83 marquise-cut emeralds that accentuate the green tones of the iridescent opal centerpiece. A testament to the jeweler's expertise, each emerald is secured with a delicate claw setting that creates the illusion that the stones are floating in midair. Fusing its mastery in goldsmithing and gem setting, the Limelight Gala Precious Rainbow is set with a full spectrum of colored stones that gradate from one shade into the next. The brand's gemologists carefully select green tsavorites and an array of colored sapphires that are progressively sized and colored to form a perfect rainbow around the dial and on the extended lugs. Set using the "Sertie Descendu" technique that maximizes light play through the stones, the colored gems vibrantly pop against the shimmery 32mm 18K rose-gold case with a dial and matching bracelet embellished with Palace Dcor engraving. Demure by comparison, the 26mm rose gold Limelight Gala Mother-of-Pearl Palace, limited to 300 pieces, frames a luminous engraved mother-of-pearl dial emulating the Palace Dcor texture encircled with brilliant-cut diamonds.For more information visit Piaget online. Specific Details Altiplano Ultimate Concept,Tribute to La C?te-aux-FesThe BasicsRef: G0A46503Diameter: 41mmThickness: 2.0mmCase Material: Cobalt-based high-tech alloyStrap/Bracelet: Green alligator leather strap with cobalt-alloy pin buckleThe MovementCaliber: Manufacture Piaget 900P-UC ultra-thin hand-woundFunctions: Hours, minutes offset at 12 oclockPower reserve: Approx. 45 hoursFrequency: 28,800 vph / 4 HzJewels:13Price: $425,000 Altiplano Origin in 35mmThe BasicsRefs: G0A45405 (plain rose gold), G0A45406 (rose gold with diamond bezel), G0A45407 (white gold with diamond bezel)Diameter: 35mmThickness: 8.1mmCase Material: 18K rose gold or white goldBezel: Plain or set with 76 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.49 ct.)Dial: Silvered with gold applied baton indexes and Altiplano signature at eight o'clockStrap/Bracelet: Interchangeable shiny red or blue alligator leather strap with gold ardillon buckleThe MovementCaliber: Manufacture Piaget 501P self-winding mechanicalFunctions: hours and minutesPrices: $18,500 for plain rose gold; $25,600 for rose gold with diamond bezel; $26,800 for white gold with diamond bezel Polo Skeleton in Rose GoldThe BasicsRef: G0A46009Diameter: 42mmThickness: 6.5mmCase Material: 18K rose goldStrap/Bracelet: Interchangeable blue alligator leather strap with rose gold folding claspThe MovementCaliber: Manufacture Piaget 1200S1 self-winding blue skeletonFunctions: Hours, minutesPower Reserve: 44 hoursPrice: $44,100Available: September 2021 Polo Skeleton with Diamond BezelThe BasicsRef: G0A46010Diameter: 42mmThickness: 6.5mmCase Material:18K white goldGems: Bezel set with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds (1.59 cts.)Strap/Bracelet: Interchangeable blue alligator leather strap with white gold folding claspThe MovementCaliber: Manufacture Piaget 1200S1 self-winding blue skeletonFunctions: Hours, minutesPower Reserve: 44 hoursPrice: $59,500Availability: September 2021 Polo Skeleton High-JewelleryThe BasicsRef: G0A46007 (on strap); G0A46006 (on diamond bracelet)Diameter: 42mmThickness: 7.9mmCase Material: 18K white goldGems: Case and flange set with 148 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.69 ct.) and 132 baguette-cut diamonds; crown set with 1 brilliant-cut diamondStrap/Bracelet: Dark gray alligator leather strap with white-gold folding clasp set with six baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 0.59 ct.); alternate 18K white-gold bracelet with folding clasp, set with 1,258 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx.7.39 cts.) and 184 baguette-cut diamonds (approx.8.28 cts.)The MovementCaliber: Manufacture Piaget 1200D1 self-winding skeleton set with 292 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.88 ct.) and 11 brilliant-cut sapphires (approx. 0.17 ct.)Functions: Hours, minutesPower Reserve: 44 hoursPrice: $310,000 on strap; $730,000 on braceletAvailable: April 2021Limited Edition: Numbered series Limelight Gala Precious SunriseThe BasicsRef: G0A46183Diameter: 32mmCase Material: 18K white goldGems: Bezel and lugs set with 32 brilliant-cut blue sapphires (approx.4.70 cts.) and 10 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx.0.90 ct.)Dial: Snow-set dial paved with 289 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx.1.76 cts.)The MovementCaliber: Manufacture Piaget 501P1 self-winding mechanicalFunctions: Hour, minutesStrap/Bracelet: 18K white-gold bracelet engraved with Palace Dcor motif and with integrated scale claspPrice: $140,000Limited Edition: 18 pieces Limelight Gala Precious ZenithThe BasicsRef: G0A46189Diameter: 32mmCase Material: 18K white goldGems: ?Bezel and lugs set with 32 brilliant-cut yellow sapphires (approx. 4.70 cts.) and 10 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. .0.90 ct.)Dial: Snow-set with 289 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 1.76 cts.)Strap/Bracelet: 18K white-gold bracelet set with 124 brilliant-cut yellow sapphires (approx. 4.58 cts.) and 276 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 9.95 cts.)The MovementCaliber: Manufacture Piaget 501P1 self-winding mechanicalFunctions: Hours, minutesPrice: $243,000Limited Edition: Eight pieces Limelight Gala Precious SunsetThe BasicsRef: G0A46182Diameter: 32mmCase Material: 18K rose goldGems: Bezel and lugs set with 32 brilliant-cut pink sapphires (approx. 4.70 cts.) and 10 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.90 ct.)Dial: White mother-of-pearlStrap/Bracelet: White satin strap with an 18K rose gold ardillon buckle, set with 15 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.06 ct.)The MovementCaliber: Manufacture Piaget 501P1 self-winding mechanicalFunctions: Hours, minutesPrice: $63,500Limited Edition: 50 pieces Limelight Gala High-Jewelry Black OpalThe BasicsRef: G0A46172Diameter: 36 x 28mmCase Material: 18K white goldGems: Bezel, lugs, and bracelet set with one row of 83 marquise-cut emeralds (approx. 8.18 cts.) and one row of 91 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 5.25 cts.)Dial: Black opal from AustraliaThe MovementCaliber: Manufacture Piaget 56P quartzFunctions: Hours, minutesPrice: $425,000 Limelight Gala Precious RainbowThe BasicsRef: G0A46188Diameter: 32mmCase material: 18K rose goldGems: Bezel and lugs set with 5 brilliant-cut green tsavorites (approx. 0.91 ct.) and 37 brilliant-cut, colored sapphires in red, orange, yellow, blue, indigo, and violet (approx. 7.90 cts.)Dial: 18K rose gold engraved with Palace Dcor motifStrap/Bracelet: 18K rose-gold bracelet engraved with Palace Dcor motif and with integrated scale claspThe MovementCaliber: Manufacture Piaget 501P1 self-winding mechanicalFunctions: Hours, minutesPrice: $102,000Limited Edition: Numbered edition Limelight Gala Mother-of-Pearl PalaceThe BasicsRef: G0A46151Diameter: 26mmCase material: 18K rose goldGems: Bezel set with 60 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.92 ct.)Dial: Hand-engraved mother-of-pearl dial with Palace Dcor motifStrap/bracelet: White alligator strap with an 18K rose gold ardillon buckle, set with one brilliant-cut diamond (approx. 0.01 ct.)The MovementCaiber: Manufacture Piaget 59P quartzFunctions: Hours, minutesPrice: $24,400Limited Edition: 300 pieces Shop this story Visit Hodinkee affiliate Crown & Caliber to shop pre-owned Piaget models