Complications
MTF delves into Piaget's mastery of complicated movements, focusing on the brand's ultra-thin tourbillon automatics. This second part of a series highlights Piaget's journey in developing in-house movements, particularly the 600P hand-wound tourbillon and the record-breaking 1208P automatic movement. The article culminates in an exploration of the 1270P ultra-thin automatic tourbillon, showcasing Piaget's exceptional horological prowess.
Piaget is one of the rare fully integrated Haute Horlogerie manufacturers.
In-house, Piaget has created 35 movements, including 11 complications in the last 14 years. Piaget has mastered 4 of the 5 classic major complications:Â? Automatic Tourbillon, Chronograph, Perpetual Calendar and Minute Repeater,Â? with the added complication of being ultra-thin.
This series of articles will trace the Piaget Path through Complicated Movements.
The development of the ultra-thin, mechanical, self-winding, tourbillon movement continued after the 600P tourbillon hand-wound movement was launched in 2003.
The next key development was the automatic movement 1208P introduced in 2010.
Altiplano Automatic
The technical challenge of extra-thin mechanical movements is to obtain sufficient rigidity in the movement for timing precision and accuracy, whilst reducing the construction material used. The development of extra-thin movements prompted amazing feats of technology advance since the extra-thin pocket watches of the 1840s and extra-thin wristwatches through the 20th century. It was and still is the mark of an excellent Manufacture to be able to produce the thinnest mechanical wrist watches; few brands attempt it.
The Piaget Altiplano automatic with the 1208P movement holds two records as the thinnest current production automatic movement at 2.35mm and in the thinnest watch case at 5.25mm. The nearest two rivals have thicker movements and are in cases up to 6.7mm thick. Behind them, is a pack of brands whoseÂ? [thin wristwatches]Â? have cases between 8.3 and 9.2mm thick.
1270P
Ultra-thin mechanical, self-winding, tourbillon movement
Movement thickness: 5.5 mm (5.7 mm including carriage)
Casing dimension: 15 ½ lignes� (34.9 mm)
Number of jewels: 35
Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)
Power reserve: approx. 40 hours
Tourbillon carriage flying tourbillon at 1 o'clock
Finishing:
Circular Cotes de Geneve from the centre of the tourbillon,
sunburst satin-brushed guilloche mainplate starting from the centre of the hands on dial side,
circular-grained, hand-drawn mainplate,
hand-bevelled, hand-circular-grained, hand-drawn and sunburst satin-brushed bridges,
circular satin-brushed wheels, sunburst satin-brushed barrel cover,
blued screws, guilloche platinum oscillating weight
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, Power-reserve indicator on the back.
Also available with pink gold colour or black oscillating weight in limited edition
With the Tourbillon Automatic 1270P movement, Piaget achieved one of the classic pillars of haute horlogerie.
PIAGET Path through Complicated Movements series
Piaget Complicated Movements: part 1 – Tourbillon hand wind (Click the following URL link):
piaget.watchprosite.com
Piaget Complicated Movements: part 2 – Tourbillon automatic (Click the following URL link):
piaget.watchprosite.com
Piaget Complicated Movements: part 3 – Chronograph (Click the following URL link):
piaget.watchprosite.com
Piaget Complicated Movements: part 4 – Perpetual Calendar (Click the following URL link):
piaget.watchprosite.com
This message has been edited by MTF on 2013-12-04 22:46:34
Of course, the Emperador Tourbillon Automatic is not an "easy piece" due to the visible rotor dial side and the daring design of the watch. But once appreciated, what a watch! I love the contrast between the slow movement of the rotor and the high speed revolution of the Tourbillon and the mix between the contemporary design and the classic approach of Piaget. Thanks Melvyn! Fx
...were not good because I did not know the full story about the Piaget Path through Complications. I could not understand the prominence of both the micro rotor and the flying tourbillon on the dial side. Now, with the Piaget minute repeater as the latest achievement at #4 of the classic Big 5 complications, it makes sense that the 1208P thinnest automatic base movement had to be developed to pair with the 600P flying tourbillon before this Tourbillon automatic 1270P could appear. The Piaget Pa
So different... so close... Fx
FrX, The case is closed and results obvious. There is an affinity for white metal Piaget watches on your wrist. Preferably monotone designs with grey or black dials to match the case colour. Maybe its your regular choice of blue shirts or skin tone? I don't know but the evidence has been demonstrated over the years. :) MTF
With the cushion shape Emperador case, I prefer WG (like with the moonphase). With the rectangular Emperador case, I prefer PG... With Piaget, I have the choice! ;) Fx
Just a change of gold colour can make a difference to the ambiance. Regards, MTF
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