Piaget Reveals Simply Enchanting Novelties for Watches and Wonders 2024

For Watches and Wonders (W&W) 2024, Piaget is once again bridging the gap between past and present. Attesting to the Maison’s watchmaking expertise, the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon 150th Anniversary watch measures only 2 mm in thickness. On the other hand, the brand’s jewellery watches in the Limelight Aura and Limelight Gala collections are bound to mesmerise watch collectors with vibrant gemstones and timeless design. The brand is also revisiting its Swinging Sautoir and cuff watch, a collector favourite from last year. 

GMT India takes a closer look at the novelties. 

Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon 150th Anniversary

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Piaget has been pushing the boundaries of ultra-thin watchmaking since 2018, when the Altiplano Ultimate Concept was deemed the thinnest watch in the world. Even though that record has been broken earlier by Richard Mille and now by Bvlgari, it was an exceptional feat by any measure for the brand. For its 150th anniversary, Piaget has taken this quest to the next level by incorporating a tourbillon into the gossamer-thin 2 mm timepiece.  

The watch measures 41.5 mm in diameter, offers a guaranteed water resistance to a depth of 20 metres, and is housed in a blue PVD-treated cobalt alloy case. However, its exceptional 2 mm thickness makes the Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon an extraordinary timepiece. The dial presenting the hours and minutes is placed slightly off-centre, following its predecessor. The tourbillon is located at 10 o’clock, with a seconds indicator engraved on the tourbillon ring. Every part has been crafted to fit within 2 mm. 

Piaget Polo Date Couple 

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The new Piaget Polo Date strikes a perfect balance between style and substance. For W&W 2024, the brand has launched a couples version, available in both 42 mm and 36 mm limited editions made of steel. A stylish rubber strap accompanies the watches – a daring first for the 36 mm version. The 42 mm model is matched with a brown strap while the 36 mm version is paired with a beige strap, set with 91 brilliant-cut diamonds. Each model will be produced in a series of 300 limited pieces. The stunning dials of the two models are a nod to the signature gadroons on the original Piaget Polo. The 42 mm version is powered by the Manufacture self-winding mechanical movement 1110P and the 36 mm one by the 500P1 movement; these showcase the same stunning play of materials as their predecessors. 

As part of the 150th anniversary celebrations, new variants have also been added to the Polo Skeleton and Polo Rainbow ranges.  

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High Jewellery 

To celebrate its 150th anniversary, the Maison is also building on the revival of its most iconic High Jewellery watches of 2023: the ground-breaking and hypnotic cuff watches and Swinging Sautoir first introduced in 1969, and the bold and precious Aura watch, launched in 1989.

Piaget Swinging Sautoir

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This year, Piaget has unveiled three exquisite new Swinging Sautoirs, two of which can be transformed to be worn on the wrist. The first one features twisted gold chains, crafted by Piaget’s artisans by hand. Every single strand of gold is crafted into fluid links that fall harmoniously to be anchored with the timepiece. Each Swinging Sautoir comes in a new softly rounded trapeze case, drawing from the shape of the cases of the original 1969 collection. A combination of blue and green is seen on a necklace of malachite and turquoise beads – a nod to the iconic 1970s era – exuberantly radiating from the diamond-paved hand-twisted gold chain, sprinkled with yellow sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds. The turquoise dialled watch is suspended from a precious gemstone duo – a rare 29.24-carat yellow sapphire from Sri Lanka and a 6.11-carat aquamarine, elevating the Sautoir to a High Jewellery necklace that can be worn on its own. At the same time, its watch component can be ingeniously and effortlessly unclasped to be worn on a green satin strap. 

The second transformable Sautoir hangs from a double chain with one diamond and is anchored by a kaleidoscopic white opal cabochon of 11.68 ct, suspending the watch case. To further elevate the piece, an exuberant tassel of diamonds, gold, and chalcedony swings from a rare emerald-cut yellow sapphire, lending the piece Piaget’s signature flamboyant style.

Piaget Cuff Watch

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After the 2023 Hidden Treasures cuff watch was awarded the GPHG Ladies Watch Prize, this year, Piaget is presenting another take on this iconic creation. In the latest iteration, the black opal dial seems to be swimming in iridescent greens and blues; it’s not exactly encased but revealed through its hand-crafted gold chain cuff. Each strand of gold is twisted individually by hand. The goldwork seems to grow organically over the dial, coral-like in its asymmetry – a veritable symphony of colour and texture.

Piaget High Jewellery Aura Timepiece

With a seamless integration of its bracelet and case entirely paved with baguette-cut diamonds, the High Jewellery Aura timepiece has been highly coveted since its debut in 1989. This year, for its 35th anniversary, the Maison has launched two unique pieces bejewelled with beautiful rubies, pink sapphires, and diamonds. A stunning gradient of colours is achieved in the second variation, thanks to the deep red hue of the rubies, which gradually fades into the softest pink sapphires and diamonds. Piaget’s extraordinary gem-setting savoir-faire and colour matching are on display in these timepieces. These new additions to the Aura collection are available in two sizes.

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