In a dazzling display of heritage and innovation, Piaget celebrates its 150th anniversary at Watches and Wonders 2024 by revisiting and reimagining some of its most iconic High Jewellery watches. These exquisite creations transcend mere timepieces, blending artistry and cutting-edge materials to bridge the gap between Piaget’s illustrious past and the 21st century.

A Legacy of Ultra-Thin Movements and Daring Designs

Piaget’s remarkable journey began in 1874 with the creation of the revolutionary ultra-thin 9P hand-wound movement. This pioneering feat established the Maison as a true innovator, paving the way for its future mastery in both the art of watchmaking and the world of jewelry. Fast forward to 1969, and Piaget took a bold step with the launch of the sautoir watches, a collection that defied convention. These audacious designs housed the now-famous 9P movement within oversized, colorful timepieces that perfectly captured the jet-set style of the 1960s and 70s. Often worn as necklaces or belts with a languid flair, these captivating creations became known as the Swinging Sautoir.

Reimagining the Swinging Sautoir for the 21st Century

For 2024, Piaget unveils a stunning new chapter in the Swinging Sautoir story with the introduction of three exquisite creations. Two of these masterpieces boast the remarkable ability to transform into elegant wristwatches. The first piece features meticulously hand-twisted gold chains that flow harmoniously into a softly rounded trapeze case, a subtle nod to the original 1969 collection’s case shape. A vibrant color palette explodes on this timepiece, with a captivating turquoise dial nestled amidst a necklace of malachite and turquoise beads. The diamond-paved chain is further accented with dazzling yellow sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds, creating a truly breathtaking display. Embracing Piaget’s playful design sensibility, the watch itself can be ingeniously detached and worn on a luxurious green satin strap.

The second transformable sautoir features a captivating double chain, one adorned with sparkling diamonds. This duo anchors a kaleidoscopic white opal cabochon of 11.68 carats, further elevating the piece with its mesmerizing play of light. An exuberant tassel crafted from diamonds, gold, and chalcedony adds a touch of undeniable flamboyance, perfectly capturing the essence of the Piaget Maison.

The Enduring Allure of the Cuff Watch

1969 marked another pivotal year for Piaget with the introduction of the bold and unforgettable cuff watch. These oversized designs pushed boundaries with their graphic goldwork, textured bracelets, and vibrant dials. Following the critical acclaim received for the 2023 Hidden Treasures cuff, Piaget presents a captivating new interpretation for 2024. This masterpiece features a mesmerizing black opal dial, its iridescent greens and blues seemingly revealed rather than encased within a hand-twisted gold chain cuff. The goldwork itself appears to organically grow over the dial, resembling coral in its stunning asymmetry. This creation serves as a masterclass in Piaget’s masterful use of color and textured gold.

Celebrating 35 Years of the Daring Aura

The daring Aura watch, first unveiled in 1989, sent shockwaves through the world of High Jewellery with its seamless integration of a bracelet and case entirely paved with baguette-cut diamonds. This exceptional timepiece not only showcased Piaget’s unparalleled prowess in gem-setting, but also housed the ultra-thin Manufacture 40P manual-winding movement at a time when quartz movements dominated the realm of precious watches. To celebrate its 35th anniversary, the Maison unveils two unique Aura pieces, each featuring a breathtaking symphony of beautiful hues – rubies, pink sapphires, and diamonds. Piaget’s masterful cutting and setting techniques come to life in these creations, with one featuring a captivating face of thin rubies radiating from the center of the dial, their deep, saturated color beautifully juxtaposed with baguette-cut diamonds. The second variation showcases a breathtaking gradient effect, with the deep red of the rubies imperceptibly fading through to softest pink sapphires and diamonds. These incredible feats of artistry solidify Piaget’s position at the pinnacle of High Jewellery and Watchmaking.

With these exquisite reimagined and anniversary pieces, Piaget not only celebrates its rich heritage, but also reaffirms its unwavering commitment to artistry. The words of Yves Piaget himself perfectly encapsulate the driving force behind the Maison’s enduring legacy: “I wanted to show that our watches and jewelry are real works of Art, and that the people who make them are real artists.” This philosophy continues to guide Piaget as they embark on the next chapter of their remarkable journey.

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Images by Piaget