At the SIHH high horology exhibition in Geneva in January 2018, Piaget presented two stone marquetry tourbillon timepieces from its Altiplano line.
Deftly combining Fine Watchmaking mastery with the virtuoso skills of stone marquetry, the Altiplano welcomes a tourbillon and invites malachite and lapis lazuli to adorn its dial. The highly artistic dials of the Altiplano malachite marquetry tourbillon and Altiplano High Jewellery lapis lazuli tourbillon models are created by Hervé Obligi, a multi-talented artist specialized in Decorative Arts.
For 30 years, he has been taming lapis lazuli, jade, jasper, cornelian and agate. Both artisan and artist, he nurtures a passion combining all expressions of his art, from restoring antique furniture to design. It was the mastery of this art that earned his atelier the French title of “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (living Heritage Company). In 2015, Piaget began a remarkable collaboration with this exceptional marquetry specialist, who devoted his expertise and virtuosity to the Altiplano, the elegant ultra-thin icon, in order to exalt the captivating beauty of the Yves Piaget Rose on the dial. For the second time, the Maison has invited the Maître d’Art to apply his creative and contemporary vision to the Altiplano dial. This year, Piaget has opted for malachite and lapis lazuli, two emblematic hard stones that the Maison has been using in its creations since the 1960s.
Developed to ensure a perfect fit with the Altiplano 41mm case, the ultra-thin mechanical hand-wound tourbillon Calibre 670P, measuring just 4.6mm thick, features a patented arbor winding system with setting wheel. It is also equipped with a new barrel ensuring a larger power reserve that now spans a comfortable 48 hours. The decision to opt for a flying tourbillon and an off-centred hour indication, both classic Piaget style signatures, contributes to the beauty of the model. This distinctive tourbillon construction provides an opportunity to admire the ethereal delicacy of the titanium carriage, which, despite its 42 components, weighs just 0.2g. The volute stone marquetry dial motif is off-centred so as to create a “Sunny Side of Life” effect that also epitomises the Piaget style.
Altiplano Malachite Marquetry Tourbillon (G0A43030)
Framed by a pink gold case, the splendid malachite swirls in magnificent shades of green: emerald, pine, dark and light, criss-crossed by an accurate and meticulous set of dark layers, arranged in such a way as to give the mesmerising dial a very “Sunny Side of Life” look.
On the movement side, the Fine Watchmaking finishing features circular Côtes de Genève, manual circular graining on the mainplate and bridges, as well as hand-drawn and bevelled bridges and carriage. The Altiplano malachite marquetry tourbillon reference G0A43030 bears the historical Piaget logo in the hour counter.
Technical detailsPiaget Altiplano Malachite Marquetry Tourbillon – 41mm
N°01/08, Boutique exclusivity – G0A43030
Case
18K pink gold with sapphire case back
Dial
Malachite marquetry dial set with red gold coloured hour markers
Movement
Piaget Manufacture 670P ultra-thin mechanical hand-wound flying tourbillon movement
Thickness: 4.6mm
Patented arbor winding system with setting wheel
New barrel increasing power reserve
Flying tourbillon, (carriage suspended from a single axis)
Ultra-thin, ultra-light carriage (2.8mm, 0.2g, three titanium bridges)
Diameter: 31.2mm
Power reserve: 48 hours
Frequency: 3Hz
Number of jewels: 23
Number of components: 157
Finishing: circular Côtes de Genève, circular-grained mainplate and bridges, bevelled and hand drawn bridges and carriage, black screws on the bridge side
Strap
Green alligator leather bracelet set with an 18K pink gold folding clasp
Altiplano High Jewellery Lapis Lazuli Marquetry Tourbillon (G0A43031)
With its splendid shades of blue ranging from ultramarine to azure speckled with white and gold, lapis lazuli deploys its incomparable intensity on a dial graced with a whirling pattern highlighted by the work of the master-gem setters. While ultra-thinness is a hallmark of the Piaget identity, the equally demanding art of gem setting is equally emblematic. White gold lights up with the sparkle of diamonds.
Baguette- and brilliant cut gems totalling 5.07 carats thus adorn the bezel, case band, lugs, crown, clasp and case back, through which one can admire the Fine Watchmaking finishes featuring circular Côtes de Genève, manual circular-grained main plate and bridges, as well as the hand-drawn and bevelled bridges and carriage. The historical Piaget logo adorns the hour counter of this Altiplano High Jewellery tourbillon (G0A43031).
Technical details
Piaget High Jewellery Altiplano lapis lazuli marquetry tourbillon – 41mm
N°01/08, Boutique Exclusivity – G0A43031
Case
18K white gold with sapphire case back set with 48 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 2.51 cts) and 265 brilliantcut diamonds (approx. 2.42 cts) and crown set with 1 brilliant-cut diamond (approx. 0.09 ct)
Dial
Lapis lazuli marquetry dial set with silver-toned coloured hour-markers
Movement
Piaget Manufacture 670P ultra-thin mechanical hand-wound flying tourbillon movement
Thickness: 4.6mm
Patented arbor winding system with setting wheel
New barrel increasing power reserve
Flying tourbillon, (carriage suspended from a single axis)
Ultra-thin, ultra-light carriage (2.8mm, 0.2g, three titanium bridges)
Diameter: 31.2mm
Power reserve: 48 hours
Frequency: 3Hz
Number of jewels: 23
Number of components: 157
Finishing: circular Côtes de Genève, circular-grained main plate and bridges, bevelled and hand-drawn bridges and carriage, black screws on the bridge side
Strap
Blue alligator leather bracelet set with an 18K white gold folding clasp set with 24 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.05 ct)
