Watchmaking and jewellery making have always been completely intertwined at Piaget. It would be a mistake to say that Piaget is a jeweller which makes watches or a watchmaker that makes jewellery – both arts have been at the heart of the company since its humble beginnings in La Côte-aux-Fées in 1874. It is a little like what came first: the chicken or the egg?
So, what better way to celebrate the brand’s 150th anniversary than with three exceptional jewellery timepieces that reimagine some of the Maison’s most spectacular creations from the 1960s to the 1980s.
Swinging Sautoirs
The first is a series of three Swinging Sautoirs inspired by models from 1969. Staying faithful to the original design, all three creations feature softy rounded trapeze cases and hand-twisted gold chains. The most spectacular of the three is a version with malachite and turquoise beads that flamboyantly radiate from a diamond-paved, hand-twisted gold chain that is also adorned with yellow sapphires. The dial is crafted from turquoise and is suspended from a rare and important 29.24-carat yellow sapphire from Sri Lanka and a 6.11-carat aquamarine. Both the necklace and the watch can also be worn separately as the timepiece can be easily unclasped and worn on a green satin strap.
The second transformable, equally stunning, Swinging Sautoir comes on a double chain – one that is diamond set and the other anchored by a kaleidoscopic white opal cabochon of 11.68 carats to which the watch is attached. A tassel of diamonds, gold, and chalcedony swings from a rare emerald-cut yellow sapphire to complete this work of horological high-jewellery art.
Cuff Watch
The year 1969 also marked the birth of the cuff watch at Piaget. A re-edition of this Piaget icon was awarded the GPHG’s prestigious Ladies Watch Prize last year, so it is no surprise that the Maison wanted to offer another new model to celebrate its 150th anniversary. Featuring a black opal dial, reflecting shades of iridescent greens and blues, this timepiece includes a gold bracelet which is a work of art in its own right. Each gold chain is individually twisted by hand. It almost looks like the bracelet is made of organic matter that has been growing like coral around a pond.
Aura
For lovers of big stones, two Aura unique pieces inspired by creations from 1989 are being released in two different sizes. The exceptional setting attests to the Maison’s expertise in working with precious stones. The first unique piece is adorned with an array of rubies, pink sapphires and diamonds that diffuse the colour from the deepest red to the palest pink, while the second version plays more on the dramatic contrast between a deep red dial surrounded by large, beautifully cut diamonds. These models are fitted with the Piaget Manufacture ultra-thin manual winding 40P movement, further reinforcing the connection between the Maison’s two worlds.
Piaget surely has more surprises reserved for its big anniversary year, so stay tuned to WorldTempus for more.
