Piaget

A visit at the Piaget Boutique in Geneva

 

A few weeks ago, taking advantage of a trip in Switzerland, I visited the Piaget Boutique in Geneva. I wished to do this visit for two main reasons. First one to have the opportunity to browse again the current Piaget collection and second one to discover the new Boutique. Actually, this Boutique is located at the very same place than before but after 4 months of renovation, it is totally different and embodies the elegant atmosphere of Piaget.

Christine Querlioz defined the new architectural concept of the Piaget Boutique and I have to confess that it works very well. Thanks to the contrast between the materials, the black and gold elements, the different colours of the lights, the watches and jewels are highlighted in this sober and quiet context. You feel the elegance without any aggressive luxury display... in a few words, this style is totally compliant with Piaget image.

An overview of the Boutique:

A closer view:


I like this picture of Sir Roger Moore  with the Polo:


Let's browse now several watches of the current collection which will give you a good idea of its diversity. Case shapes, complications, materials, precious stones, the Piaget collection offers a wide range of watches which combine exclusive horological contents with  refined designs.
  The Emperador Coussin (cushion-shaped) Moonphase is currently my fav Piaget watch.

I often explained why: its large diameter (46,5mm) creates the scene for one of the largest moonphase displays. The watch seems to be entirely focussed on this complication for my deepest pleasure. I like the idea when a poetic complication (ie not very useful on a daily basis) becomes the point of interest.

The way the surface of the Moon is created makes me think that each Emperador is unique.

I much prefer the WG version, more sober and whose colours are in my point of view more coherent with the complication. The PG version with its blue dial is a nice watch too but the dial colour creates a big contrast with the case. I prefer the quieter elegance of the WG one.

46,5mm may appear to be huge. Hopefully, the size and the shape of the lugs reduce this feeling of size and the watch remains wearable and comfortable even on my wrist.

Movement is the 860P which features the usual finishings style from Piaget: flawless and sober. Moonphase accuracy is one day of difference every 122 years.

 

The Emperador Moonphase is a watch which has a special relationship with the flow of time: no second hand and a very slow complication... don't you have the feeling that the time is elapsing more slowly with this watch on the wrist? As you understood it, I'm totally seduced by it!

This 40mm Altiplano Skeleton watch is powered by the handwind 838S movement.

It is a watch I liked at the beginning but I'm less convinced by it now. Why?

First of all, the new automatic Altiplano Skeleton with its micro-rotor movement is so gorgeous that this one doesn't seem to achieve the same level of perfection.

The case is too large IMHO  and I would have appreciated it with a 38mm diameter. The peripherical flange increases this feeling. Moreover, the second hand is useless in this context.

Anyway, the quality of finishings remains very high and we can appreciate the care of the details on both sides of the watch:

The "sunrays" which are found on the the front side of the watch are also used on the back to decorate the movement. They bring a dynamic and quite contemporary style:

Obviously, one of the big assets of Piaget is the impressive skill in gems setting.

I'm always impressed by this Altiplano which shows a perfect mastery in this artistic approach.

The way the movement is set with the precious stones (174 diamonds)  gives another proof of this skill.

You will find 8 black sapphire cabochons on the dial. Two are used as the base of the barrel bridge. Balance wheel is located at 1 o clock.

Due to the different decoration, the movement changes its reference to 838D... D like diamonds!

We are back to the Emperador cushion-shaped line but this time with another complication: the Perpetual Calendar.

This Emperador uses the same case that the Moonphase one with a 46,5mm diameter. But this time, the dial is much more busy with a lot of data on it!

The PC is not the only complication because it also offers a second timezone display.

Dates and days of the week displays feature retrograde hands. The dial lay-out is at the same time quite original and very readable except maybe the date: the sunrays may bring a small confusion.

I like this asymmetrical dial, full of nice details and far from being boring!

The small second hand animates the dial, a welcome detail on a PC watch:

The movement is the 855P which has a 5,6mm thickness: a strong performance for an automatic movement with PC and second timezone display!

About the comfort on the wrist, the feeling is similar than with the Emperador Moonphase. A great watch even if I prefer the simplicity and the unique complication of the Emperador Moonphase: quiet or busy, the choice is yours!

The movement 600P which powers this Emperador Tourbillon is the thinnest mechanical movement with a flying Tourbillon.

The MOP section on the dial combines pretty well with the sunrays to create a sophisticated design.

The power reserve indicator is well integrated because it tends to fade into the dial:

The 600P with its 3 arms bridge:

Another example of the Flying Toubillon in the rectangular Emperador case. Obviously, it is not a watch I will wear but the work on this timepiece is really outstanding. To be frank with you, I prefer to see the flying Tourbillons without gems setting around because its hypnotizing beauty is enough to define the exceptional character of the watch.

We already spoke a lot of the Altiplano Automatic powered by the micro-rotor 1208P.

It is a watch I would love to see with a smaller case! 43mm is too much for this style of watch due to a very high diameter/thickness ratio.

Surprisingly enough, the watch doesn't look that big on the wrist despite a very thin bezel and a pure dial. The size of the indexes section of the dial contributes to this feeling.

But I do believe that a smaller case would have been a great improvement.

The Altiplano Skeleton and its 38mm case gave the proof that it was possible to use smaller cases with this movement.

The 1208P is a really beautiful movement, with one of the nicest micro-rotor architectures:

As I said before, the size is still ok on the wrist: the watch is clearly wearable. But from an aesthetical point of view, a more contained case would have been better even if I understand the idea behind. Thanks to this addition, Piaget proposes different sizes for its Altiplano: 38,40,43mm... and anybody may find his most suitable size.

The Gouverneur line was the main 2012 novelty.

A case was missing in the Piaget collection between the ultra-thin Altiplano and the more sportive attitude of the Polo. The objective of the Gouverneur is to be a dressed watch but at the same time able to house complications. 3 different Gouverneur watches were unveiled: Automatic with date, Flying Tourbillon and Chronograph.

The Chronograph is my fav one without any doubt.

Actually, the designers did a great job. The movement (the 882P) is a bit too small for the 43mm case but thanks to some clever details, we don't have this impression dial side.

And these designers are well known! The Gouverneur line was designed by Jean-Claude and Emmanuel Gueit, a true father and son story!

The main question about the Gouverneur is to consider it as a round or an oval watch. But it is not a crucial point as the most important is to enjoy its beauty.

The Chronograph has a very pure dial. There is no graduation between the seconds markers but it is a very positive idea here as it improves the elegance. Even the date seems to be well positioned!

The 882P movement is as usual a flyback chronograph:

The beauty of the gold subdial and hour markers:

Case diameter remains the same with the Automatic Gouverneur:

The movement is the 800P:

The same elegance than with the Chronograph but at the end, I prefer the complicated watch thanks to the subtle subdials:

I wished to finish my report with these two Gouverneur watches because they remind us the vitality and the creative energy of Piaget. And this taste of the 2012 SIHH is a good way to prepare ourselves to the next SIHH which will come very soon. What will be the 2013 Piaget offer? The only thing I know is that some surprises are on the way!

I would like to thank a lot the Piaget team for the warm welcome during my visit.

Fr.Xavier

This message has been edited by foversta on 2012-11-21 13:59:18