Piaget is a Swiss watch manufacturer who has kept its name firmly anchored within a competitive industry for over 145 years. The brand is synonymous with precision, quality, elegance, and performance. From collections offering the latest high tech movements to classic dress watches for the most exquisite of occasions - Piaget has created a timepiece for almost every imaginable occasion in life. Their 9 collections consist of the Black Tie, Altiplano, Piaget Polo, Dancer and Traditional Watches, Exceptional Pieces, Limelight, Possession, and the Creative Collection.
The Dancer collection features watches with a contemporary aesthetic. Their bezels are perfectly rounded and the depth of their cases are kept to a minimum, making them particularly desirable to collectors looking for a wristwatch that wears just as comfortably when worn discreetly under a sleeve of a professional suit, as it does on the bare wrist. Timepieces like the Black Tie demonstrate Piaget's technical approach to fine watchmaking with their aesthetics communicating a sense of indulgence and luxury.
The Piaget Altiplano collection is home to the manufacturer's most up-to-date movements, whereas the Polo watch is known for its integrated bracelet and distinctly-shaped bezel and case. If you’re looking for a timepiece that epitomizes Swiss luxury, innovations from the Creative collection are brimming with boundless excellence. Scintillating diamond-adorned models meet watches with magnificent bold designs that are geared towards those who like their watch to make a statement.
Specializing in elegant dress models, Piaget occupies a unique space in the horological landscape by making the slimmest watches in existence. In 1960, their Calibre 12P claimed the World Record for the thinnest self-winding movement, measuring just 2.3mm thick. In 2018, with the release of the Altiplano Ultimate Concept, they also took the title for the thinnest watch ever made, with a thickness of 2mm in its entirety. The inventiveness and daring in Piaget's designs have charmed some of the world’s most stylish personalities, with the likes of Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Salvador Dali all professing their love for the maison.
Starting out in 1874, founder Georges Eduard Piaget set up a small workshop on his farm and began cementing a reputation for creating high quality and high-performance movements for luxury clocks. Having officially registered the name Piaget in 1945, the company has since focused on becoming expertly skilled in creating ultra-thin movements. The Caliber 9P for example, made history with its incredibly thin profile. The manual winding movement would go on to be featured in some of the company's proudest innovations.
Combining their unmatched knowledge in fine mechanical watchmaking with unique hand-applied skills in this field of expertise, Piaget began welding their passion for slimline mechanical movements with precious stone embellishments, creating a number of lavish timepieces made with gemstone-set dials and cases. Piaget’s stone-embellished watches became yet another hallmark of the brand, along with the creation of the world's smallest quartz movement which was developed in 1976 – the Caliber 7P.
Hollywood actors and A-list stars soon began honing into Piaget's offerings. These meticulously developed watches were associated with wealth and high quality since they were manufactured from some of the industry’s finest materials and boasted elegant designs perfectly suited to the Red Carpet. These timepieces with a celebrity status were seen on the wrists of multiple famous stars. In 1979, Piaget presented the Polo watch and just 9 years later, the Richmond Group took over the company, developing their first watch line - the Passion collection. Experts at the manufacture, who had dedicated their career to developing thoroughbred Piaget watches, returned to iconic designs during the year 1999, creating models with new mechanical movements for improving accuracy and reliability.
It was not until the year 2000 that Piaget really utilized their approach to fine watchmaking, creating a new manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Geneva that housed experts in all areas of the unique watchmaking process. The highest skilled craftsmen were brought together under one roof. It paved the way for yet another milestone reached by these masters in haute horology – the Caliber 600P. It was the thinnest tourbillon movement of its time.
All Piaget watches are characterized by their timeless and elegant designs. Some models blur the lines between luxury timepieces and high jewelry, and are crafted from precious metals and set with brilliant diamonds. Other models are designed to be worn all day, every day as reliable timekeepers, yet still have enough refinement to look the part when paired with a three-piece suit for formal occasions.
At the time when Piaget was conceptualizing the Altiplano collection, the importance of creating the perfect housing for their slimline movements was considered paramount by the brand's watchmakers. Thus the concept of the Altiplano collection grew. This refined line of sophisticated timepieces is underscored by design codes like their off-centre displays, clean elegant lines and mixed hour tracks featuring simple indexes, along with their iconic baton hands. The clarity and the simplicity of the dials within the Altiplano collection is inspired by the purity of the open space and land of the Cordillera Andes.
The Piaget Altiplano collection was created in 1957. Valentin Piaget, grandson of the company’s founder, presented the first timepiece from the collection at the Basel watch fair, powered by the ultra-flat 9P hand-wound movement – and engine that measured a mere 2mm in depth, which permitted the use of an impressively elegant and slim case. The slender silhouette of the watch’s profile shaped a new generation of timepieces. Just three years later, the Piaget Altiplano watch was fitted with the famous Caliber 12P, equipped with a decentralised micro-rotor made of 24K gold, promising efficient and effortless winding of the mainspring.
Modern Altiplano watches are still characterised by their clean lines and harmonious proportions which lend themselves to the more contemporary-loving watch collectors. Current models from the collection are those like the 43mm automatic 60th anniversary Altiplano model, powered by the 2.35mm 1200P Caliber housed inside an 18k white gold case, and the 38mm hand wound 60th anniversary Altiplano model powered by the 2.2mm 430P Caliber – both of which were released in 2017.
Watches belonging to the Limelight Gala collection were intended to draw dazzling rings of glamour around the lady's wrist with their unique asymmetrical lugs adorned in glistening diamonds. The curved cases of these ladies’ watches showcase rounded lines and progressively cut diamonds, transcending time with luxurious and indulgent materials. Whether you prefer the look of a Milanese mesh bracelet or a refined satin strap, Piaget Limelight Gala watches come in a variety of different dial designs, strap colours and luxury finishes.
Some of the models from the Piaget Limelight Gala watch collection feature Roman numeral dials, creating a more traditional look and feel. Those models with powdered rose gold markers reflect their 18k rose gold cases and are often finished on alligator leather straps in red, green, or black finishes. The Milanese bracelet versions come in 18k rose gold or white gold variations and secure around the wrist with adjustable sliding buckles for acquiring the perfect fit. The fine-knit metal links that wrap around the wrist offer a flexible and comfortable metal bracelet compared to bulkier link bracelets on the market today.
Piaget is an expert in creating watches embedded with luxurious precious gemstones and diamonds. Timepieces like those from the Limelight Gala collection are intended to serve equally as a piece of jewellery as they are a timekeeping tool. By combining technical mastery with materials and finishes of the highest quality, Piaget has created a stylized look that sets itself apart from others within the industry. Unique features like the lugs of a Limelight Gala watch, which fluidly fuse to the shape of the case, bring something exclusive to the wrists of female collectors.
Piaget created the Black Tie collection as a way of fusing masculine elegance with high performance. These wristwatches are loved for their unusual cushion shaped cases and their elegant, slim profiles. The reversed tonneau-shaped case and the round, oval-blended lines of the Emperador Cushion Tourbillon watches provide a desirable and modern look for the wrist, many of which display innovations like the Manufacture Piaget 1270S ultra-thin tourbillon skeleton self-winding movement through a skeletonized dial, along with an oscillating weight in platinum and a specially engraved numbered edition. Other Piaget Black Tie watches offer complications like perpetual calendars, flying tourbillons, and even minute repeaters.
Another unique feature of the Piaget Black Tie watch collection is the way in which their in-house movements are specifically crafted for their cases. The 43mm Gouverneur moonphase watches with 18k rose gold and 18k white gold cases are equipped with sunburst motif dials and matching gold moons and markers. The moon indicator at 6 o'clock is balanced beautifully by an open-heart disc which reveals a slice of the Manufacture Piaget 642P tourbillon ultra-thin mechanical movement through the watch's dial side.
Other innovations from the Gouverneur line include the Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar. The 43mm white gold version boasts sub-counters at 12, 4 and 8 o’clock against a silver guilloche dial. The self-winding mechanical 855P movement which is in-house designed by specialist experts at Piaget, provides a retrograde day and date display, day/night indicator and dual time zone display.
The Polo watch collection was launched by Piaget in 1979. It broke the codes of wristwatch wearing, introducing a new and stylish way to wear a relaxed yet luxurious timepiece that paid homage to the prestigious sport. The case of a Piaget Polo watch lies somewhere in between a circular and cushion shape. Some of the bezels are lined with scintillating diamonds, others are smoothly sculpted and executed with a polished finish to enhance the ergonomic flow of the case shape. Versions are available in 18k rose gold or stainless steel – the latter of which exude a more sporty, elegant persona, especially those equipped with chronograph complications. Polished and satin finished bracelets are suited to those in search of a classic everyday watch for wearing to the office, whereas Polo watches completed on a leather strap culminate a smart casual look on the wrist.
The Piaget Polo men's diamond set rose gold watch features a dial adorned in a total of 496 diamonds and a bezel set with 56 diamonds. A classic three hand design keeps the dial looking simple and straightforward, accompanied only by a discrete date aperture at the 6 o'clock location. The company's Manufacture Piaget 1110P self-winding mechanical movement powers this watch, which can be admired through a sapphire glass caseback.
If you're looking for something more relaxed with a subtle of subtle sporty elegance, watches like the Piaget Polo S Chronograph watch in blue is a versatile companion to wear day or night. Its blue chronograph dial showcases sub-counters at 3 and 9 o'clock. The 1160P self-winding mechanical movement was created to sit snug inside a 42mm steel case with 100 meters of water resistance, providing the watch with an approximate 50-hour power reserve.
The price of Piaget watches can range dramatically due to the vast range of materials and complications featured throughout their collections. Some models are constructed from stainless steel and fitted with standard time-only movements, while others feature gem-encrusted solid gold cases and ultra-thin calibers packed with high-complications. Retail prices for the most entry-level models with steel cases and quartz movements start out at $3,800 and they quickly go up from there, with some models selling for well into the six-figure price range.
The price spectrum of Piaget watches reflects the company's broad use of materials and their ever-growing portfolio of in-house developed movements. However, for many models, a savings can often be found on the secondary market, making certain Piaget references excellent value propositions given the high degree of engineering and finishing that they offer.
| Model | Reference | Retail Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|
| Possession; 29mm, Steel | G0A43080 | $3,800 |
| Piaget Polo S; 42mm, Steel | G0A41002 | $9,900 |
| Limelight Gala: 26mm, 18K rose gold | G0A42213 | $25,400 |
| Altiplano; 38mm, 18K white gold | G0A29112 | $16,200 |
| Extremely Lady; 27mm; 18K rose gold with 24 brilliant-cut diamonds | G0A43211 | $58,000 |
| Emperador; 46.5mm, 18K white gold | G0A41041 | $75,500 |
| Vintage Inspiration; 45mm, 18K rose gold | G0A42236 | $26,900 |
| Altiplano: 38mm, 18K white gold with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds | G0A44112 | $32,200 |
| Polo S Chronograph; 42mm, Steel | G0A42005 | $13,200 |
When buying a Piaget watch, you may wish to mark out your intended budget and decide on which features are of utmost importance to you as a wearer. Additionally, if the features you want make for a watch that falls outside your budget, the pre-owned market is an excellent way of securing the Piaget timepiece of your dreams at a significantly more accessible price point.
For complications to assist you with an on-the-go lifestyle - models like the perpetual calendar from the Black Tie collection are worth taking a look at. For lavish timepieces that communicate Piaget’s boldest and most artistic work, creations from the Limelight Gala collection or the Creative collection feature some of the company's most extravagant designs. For the simple and classic, Piaget watches from the Polo collection combine affordability with reliable in-house manufactured self winding movements, and offer a choice between a gold or steel option.
Lastly, the Altiplano is Piaget's ultimate flagship collection and features exquisitely thin movements and slimline cases that look undeniably refined and luxurious. If innovations like the Piaget hand-wound Altiplano 900P watch (crowned as the world’s flattest luxury watch) excite you, then a timepiece from their Altiplano collection is certainly the place to invest your money.
Whether it's the engineering excellence of the elegant men's Black Tie collection that has attracted you towards Piaget as a brand, or the technically refined and ultra-slim movements of their Altiplano collection – the authenticity of a Piaget watch is paramount when investing in one of these timepieces. Here at Bob’s Watches, all our watches are inspected and quality tested to guarantee 100% authenticity and proper functionality. Shop our complete selection of pre-owned Piaget watches online for the best deals available.