Manufacture
MTF provides the third installment of the PuristS On Tour 2008 visit to Piaget, focusing on the transformed boutique on rue du Rhône in Geneva. This report highlights a meeting with CEO Philippe Léopold-Metzger and General Manager Sylvain Auroux, showcasing Piaget's rich historical patrimony and its evolution through three distinct epochs. The article offers a glimpse into the brand's heritage, from its origins as a movement maker to its current status as a group-owned manufacture.
PIAGET: PuristS On Tour 2008 Part 3
Previously, we reported on the PuristS On Tour 2008 visit to Piaget:
Part 1 click here
Part 2 click here
For Part 3, our next stop was the transformed Piaget boutique on rue du Rhône, Geneva. There, we met CEO Philippe Léopold-Metzger in the new exhibition space on the 2nd floor, that accomodates a museum-like display of the rich patrimony of the brand. Piaget has an important collection of historical parts, watches and jewels, which attest the unique position of Piaget in the history of horology and jewellery industries.
Sylvain Auroux and Philippe Léopold-Metzger
Philippe was accompanied by Sylvain Auroux, General Manager Piaget Switzerland. They both sported Emperador Coussin Dual Time Zone watches. Alas, the new perpetual calendar was not in stock yet......psst.....but we saw the movements being worked on at the La Côte-aux-Fées Manufacture.....maybe in time for Christmas 2008?
Santa Baby,
Just slip a Piaget under the tree
For me
Been an awful good girl
Santa Baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa honey,
A Perpectual
Calendar Piece
Is all
I really want for ease
Santa Baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight
[Apologies to Javits, Springer & Springer 1953]
History
Founded in 1874. Piaget has at least 134 years of unbroken existence in the watchmaking firmament. Piaget could classify its history into three epochs:
1) Movement Maker
2) Family-owned Manufacture
3) Group-owned Manufacture
Piaget family picture and records
Piaget Founders
Piaget Manufacture 1947
1970s
The Dali-esque Years
A little flamboyant
Alright - a LOT flamboyant!
Watches everywhere
Incorporated into bracelets, cuffs, brooches, necklaces and even finger rings; Piager made watches that fit anything.
Original Pieces
Cuff watch
Ring watch
TV Screen shape
Emperador shape
Slim Pocket Watch
Visitors trying to figure out why the images looked "life-like"
Oblique view showed the 3-D effect of the moving projected images on solid pre-shaped 'moulds'
Great way to visualise intricate movements
The 2-D effect of the projected images on a flat screen only
A whole hard cover book dedicated to after-sales advice
Violette Watch Collector's Trunk
Like a light bulb illuminating my thoughts, many of us felt that the effect of the Piaget Trip on our knowledge about Piaget, was exemplified by the following series of photos.
From the fog and darkness of Ignorance ............
......into the Light
Continued in Part 4.............
Text and Photos Copyright Melvyn Teillol-Foo & PuristSPro, 2008
Piaget and Pinel&Pinel Trunk When two prestigious Houses crossed paths, the combination of their creative talents and their skills result in an exceptional objet d’art: the trunk dedicated to watch collectors and signed Piaget and Pinel&Pinel. Designed and crafted by the Parisian trunk maker Pinel&Pinel, this trunk is much more than an objet d’art: it is a temple admirably enshrining Piaget’s passion, excellence, innovative taste and creative inspiration. 51 timepieces can find a stage-setting,
thats is exquisite!! I definitely want one lol!!
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