ves G. Piaget summed up the entire history and paradox of Maison Piaget, founded in 1874 in the Swiss village of La Côte-aux-Fées, with these few words: “A watch is first and foremost a piece of jewellery.”
Starting out as specialists in ultra-thin watchmaking, the maison’s craftspeople explored new aesthetic freedom from the early 1960s, adorning their sophisticated timepieces, which beat to the rhythm of the iconic 9P movement, with dials crafted from ornamental stones in a range of vibrant colours.
This new creative playground inspired these talented artisans to express couture allure through jewellery. The two worlds continued to intertwine, with even the architectural lines of the Maison’s skeleton movements becoming adorned with a shower of dazzling precious stones. Piaget’s attention to detail extended to gem-setting each corner and each slight curve of this signature gold self-winding manufacture movement, the 1200D, recently optimised to become the 1201D1.
After constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in crafting gem-set skeleton movements and Métiers d’Art creations, it was time for the Ateliers de l’Extraordinaire to blend both savoir-faires into one. Staying true to Georges-Édouard Piaget’s motto, “Always do better than necessary”, which has inspired Piaget’s artisans for over 150 years, the maison entrusted its precious skeleton, set with diamonds and blue sapphires, to the renowned enamel artist Anita Porchet, Piaget’s loyal partner since 2006.
The artist masterfully applied a palette of blue, green and purple hues in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel, which hugs the dial - on the front and, for the first time, on the back - spreading its colours to the very edge of the bezel. This visual and technical feat is executed with extreme precision, skilfully completing the effect of perfect fusion between the gradient of baguette cut stones and that of the cloisonné enamel. Crafted with such artistry, the dial of this 40 mm-diameter Altiplano Skeleton High Jewellery Métiers d’Art watch truly comes into its own, emanating light from every facet.
In a further feat of mastery, the case remains true to the art of ultra-thin watchmaking that has driven the maison since 1874, retaining its extreme thinness at a mere 7 mm thick, only slightly thicker than the classic skeleton version. This piece encapsulates three astounding savoir-faires: the arts of skeleton watchmaking, gem-setting and cloisonné enamelling. The latest in a bold range that is increasingly inventive, constantly redefining the landscape.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Reference G0A49119
- Material : white gold, diamonds & gradient of blue sapphires baguette
- « Grand feu cloisonné » enamel dial by Anita Porchet
- Diameter : 40 mm
- Calibre : 1201D1 automatic Piaget manufacture precious skeleton caliber
- Limited edition of 8 pieces
