PIAGET
Simple
Complications
In
most years, Piaget is
renowned for being one of the busiest manufactures in churning out a large
quantity of new and exceptional references. With only nine months between SIHH
2008 and 2009, the company’s designers were certainly put to the test. But
while the collection might not be quite as wide as in some years, there’s no
question of the quality of a number of new pieces that have emerged from the
manufacture.
As
in recent years, mechanical complications are the highlight Piaget’s string of new
products this year with four main product developments unveiled for 2009. The
first two of these developments are new movements, the Calibre 835P and the
Calibre 860P. These two entirely Piaget developed movements house respectively a
regulator and large moon phase and each have their own reference within the
Emperador Coussin family.
The
Emperador Coussin Regulator has an additional appeal with the addition of a
retrograde seconds complication. Most impressive about this complication is the
precision as the movement jumps back to the ‘0’ position 2,880 times a day or
every 30 seconds. In addition, the ultra-thin mechanical handwound movement
that powers this watch measures a mere 3.92mm, fitting
with
Piaget’s history as a maker of thin watches, and is equipped with a large balance
with screws and a large barrel providing a power reserve of 65 hours.
As in recent years, mechanical complications are the highlight
Piaget’s string of products with four main product developments unveiled for
2009.
True
to Piaget’s strength in meticulous detailed finishing, the main plate is
circular grained and the bridges are beveled. Available in both 18-carat pink
and white gold versions, the 42.5mm diameter timepiece is fitted with a
sapphire crystal case-back, with either a satinbrushed midnight blue or
charcoal grey finely finished guilloche dial.
The
Emperador Coussin Moon Phase with the Calibre 860P is housed in a 46.5 mm case
showcasing a mobile mask that uncovers the white gold moon disc gradually
before covering it up again, reproducing the natural interplay of the sun and
earth. The movement features the signature Piaget finishing of the circular
Côtes de Genève motifs with a 72- hour power reserve, cased in either white or
pink 18-carat gold.
In
addition to the Emperador pieces, Piager has also created a new Altiplano Small
Seconds, providing an elegant 18-carat gold ouch to the collection. This
Altiplano case is curved and set with 48 round diamonds, and houses the
ultra-thin Calibre 450P, a calibre that lends a genuine touch of elegance and
mechanical passion to the world of feminine watchmaking.
In
celebration of the collection’s 30th anniversary this year, the manufacture has reinterpreted the
collection in an assertively modern style, unveiling four new watches that are
the epitome of sporty yet contemporary timepieces, featuring the 800P and 880P
movements. A first for the brand, these models are featured in grade 5 titanium
cases, watertight to 100 meters, extended by a strap made of injection moulded rubber.
The sturdy, yet light cases are 45mm in tune with the modern times as well as
reminiscent of the average length of a polo match.
True to Piaget’s strength in meticulous detailed finishing, the main
plate is circular-grained and the bridges are beveled.
The
chronograph version uses the 880P movement that aside from its typical
chronograph and flyback functions, also displays the hour and minutes
functions, along with small seconds at 6 o’clock, the date at 12 o’clock and a
second 24-hour time zone at 9 o’clock and offers a 50 hour power reserve. Each
pushpiece and crown is made of titanium, decorated with rubber cabochons. The
800P, also self-winding, displays hours, minutes and seconds in the centre and
the date at 6 o’clock. Its two barrels ensure a 72 hour power reserve.
Last
but not least is the gem-set XXL Protocole, geared to the feminine customer who
appreciates a fine mechanical movement. This new reference is adorned with a
total of 3.9 carats of diamonds that light up the Roman numerals on the white
mother-of-pearl dial in the 42 x 46mm case. The 18-carat gold case presents both
elegance and slenderness in its curves, shaping itself perfectly to the
feminine wrist.
