Piaget Altiplano, Gouverneur, Emperador Overview

AndrewD · 2013-08-07T05:06:50Z

Explore Piaget's Altiplano, Gouverneur, and Emperador collections. AndrewD reviews ultra-thin movements, elegant designs, and community insights.

AndrewD

WPS member · Piaget forum

8 replies5606 views17 photos

AndrewD challenges readers to step outside their comfort zones by exploring Piaget's offerings, a brand often associated with ultra-thin movements and elegant designs since the late 1950s. His post highlights several key collections, including the Altiplano, Gouverneur, and Emperador, providing a fresh look at Piaget's diverse range beyond typical perceptions.

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It’s good to step out of our comfort zone and challenge ourselves with watches and brands that we might usually dismiss. Although there are watches from Piaget that have caught my attention in the past, I would not consider myself as a typical Piaget customer. But on a visit to a Piaget Boutique I sampled a few pieces.

Piaget have been producing ultra-thin movements since the late 1950’s and they are still associated with ultra-elegant wrist watches with sensual profiles.

The Altiplano collection was launched in 1998. This Altiplano is housed in a white gold case only 5.25mm thick and with a diameter of 43mm, so it really makes a statement of elegance on the wrist. The off centre subseconds provides a modern twist. It is also available with a black dial.

Inside this Piaget Altiplano is the Cal. 1208P. This was introduced in 2010 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Cal. 12P and is one of the thinnest automatic winding movements at 2.35mm. It has a power reserve of 44 hours and beats at 3Hz. The index features a subtle Piaget “P”. Circular graining, blued screws and sunbrushed wheels and hand chamfering complete the decoration.

Less commonly seen is the Gouverneur collection. This 43mm round white gold case actually contains an oval dial, giving it a distinct appearance. Rose gold with silvered dial and with a Cal. 800P automatic movement with a double barel andPR of 85 hours. Centre seconds and large date at 6pm. There is also a variation with a Cal. 882P with flyback chronograph.

The Emperador was introduced in 1999. The beautifully sculptured case lines start out from a cold-pressed piece of precious metal which is the machined, milled and hand finished.

The Emperador uses round and rectangular shapes and polished and satin brushed surfaces to give a very sensuous look on the wrist. These Emperadors come in pink or white gold cases measuring 32 x 41mm. They are powered by the automatic Cal. 551P with a power reserve of 40 hours as shown in the RdM display at 6 o’clock, which I applaud on an automatic watch.

And finally the Piaget Altiplano 40mm white gold ultra-thin with the skeletonised Cal. 838 movement which is only 2.7mm thick but still achieves a 60h power reserve.

Andrew

Key Points from the Discussion

Piaget's appeal extends beyond traditional perceptions, with collectors like MTF appreciating specific case shapes and enamel dials, particularly in the Altiplano line. The Gouverneur also sparks debate due to its unique round case with an oval dial.
Piaget's men's collection, especially the Altiplano, is often overlooked but offers outstanding pieces that warrant more attention from collectors, challenging the common perception of Piaget as primarily a women's jeweled watch brand.
Contrary to popular belief, Piaget's production has seen mechanical movements outnumber quartz for over a decade, and watches, both men's and women's, generate more sales revenue than jewelry for the brand.
The 40mm Automatic Altiplano, with its date window, offers a more balanced aesthetic, which was well-received by collectors upon its release.
The Altiplano 34mm in white gold, reference GOA36128, with its manual winding movement and diamond-set buckle, is highlighted as a particularly elegant and desirable piece.
A fellow collector shares a wristshot of a Piaget, appreciating its grey tones, technical details like the screwed-down power reserve indicator and sub-seconds, and contrasting shapes.

The Discussion

MTF

Aug 7, 2013

A Piaget watch that caught my wife's eye

Thanks Andrew for your report. I am a Piaget customer (whatever that is) but there are certain case shapes that the current Mrs MTF does not approve. So, my choice is limited. She likes Altiplano especially the ones with enamel dials, so I live in constant hope...... Recently, I managed to get her near a Piaget display and she was taken by the Piaget Gouverneur mainly because of the ongoing debate: round or oval? Pity, there was no white gold automatic Piaget Gouverneur to try on...... Regards,

WHL

Aug 7, 2013

Count me as a fan as well...

I am probably not alone in thinking of Piaget as a brand that focuses on jeweled watches for women (I just saw an amazing Altiplano with diamond pave dial that I'll try to photograph for the forum), but the men's collection of Altiplano watches is truly outstanding and worth more attention fom collectors. Thank you for the fresh look at some of my favorites in the current collection, Andrew. Bill

MTF

Aug 8, 2013

Recent figures show Piaget produce 50% mens' watches

and 50% ladies' watches. Since more than 10 years ago, MECHANICAL movements outnumbered quartz movements in their production. Watches account for the more sales revenue for Piaget compared to jewellery and that is for both ladies and men collections. Regards, MTF

WHL

Aug 8, 2013

Here's the one for Mrs. MTF....

It is the Altiplano 34 mm in white gold, GOA36128, with manual winding movement: The diamonds across the buckle are a brilliant touch: The only way to make it nicer would be to put it on a satin finished black strap or a crocodile strap with rolled edges. Bill

LwC

Aug 9, 2013

I agree that Piaget is under appreciated...

MTF

Aug 9, 2013

Good to see

Hello LwC, Long time no see..... Nice to see that watch again. Best regards, Melvyn