mkt33
[PuristS]
5252
Piaget's stone dials- Love 'em or hate them?
When I was the moderator for the Jaquet Droz brand, I feel in love with stone dials.
There is so much work involved with creating these dials, much more than the simple stamped brass plates that I was used to. The lapidary skills required to produced such thin disks of beauty from a large rough sample was demonstrated when I visited a special stone cutter in Switzerland a few years ago. Sadly it is more and more of a lost art.
To my surprise, one of my esteemed colleagues reminded me that Piaget had started producing watch dials utilizing semiprecious stones starting in 1964. I didn't know any watch group had thought about this concept before Rolex in the 70's.
Here are some pictures which I found on an auction site showing the dials a bit more clearly. There is nothing more beautiful than mother nature itself.
The blue and glimmer of gold found in Lapis.
The deep translucent green color of precious Jade.
The shimmer of meteriote.
The amazing array of browns found in tiger's eye
I would love to see Piaget make more of these dials!
What do other Piaget fans think? Love' em or hate them?
Best, Mike
This message has been edited by MTF on 2017-02-01 23:04:22
Discussion
Blancpain Baselworld 2011 review: Villeret, L'Evolution, Fifty Fathoms Aqualung, and Le Brassus novelties. Critical insights on brand evolution.
30 replies27187 views
Piaget's stone dials- Love 'em or hate them?
When I was the moderator for the Jaquet Droz brand, I feel in love with stone dials. There is so much work involved with creating these dials, much more than the simple stamped brass plates that I was used to. The lapidary skills required to produced such...
I can't remember back that long ago
Than Mike for the question. I'm afraid that I'm 'too young' in horology to remember 1964 But I do recall Tissot makng the whole watch case out of stone and wood in the 1980s. Got the current Mrs MTF a nice 'wood watch' that she loved but our dog chewed it...
I second that
I'm a big fan of stone/meteorite dials and fell in love with JD because of that.However,a watch needs a good calibre if it wants to show off it's unique dial.Something about the uniqueness of every individual dial that strikes me.I'm dreaming of spectroli...
I guess our friend Bernard would argue
but we definately see both sides of the coin in the horological world. Fortunately there is minimal argument about Piaget. Piaget incorporates a long history of watchmaking achievement with beautiful dials! Best, Mike
Hi, Mike!
I could've sworn that I previously responded to this post, but I don't see it here. Thanks for showcasing some beautiful and unusual pieces from Piaget. The Polo with meteorite dial is particularly eye-catching. I'd love to see Piaget release some more st...
Half your wishes have been granted
Mike, Pietersite (variation of tiger-eye) dial is unlikely because it has been "all mined out", according to South African authorities. But, Jade dial on Altiplano is back in production...... Very limited production unlike some other newbie brand recently...
I Love stone dials...
particularly in vintage Piaget watches. I think the first watch I ever saw that had a stone dial, was a client's mens 18Kt gold Datejust with matching jubilee bracelet and a malachite dial. While the dial was fascinating, it was not a really good looking ...
Maybe...
At least there are three of us interested. Hope to meet you again soon Dino. Mike
Hi Mike...
The three of us can always hope for some new stone dial Piagets ...but I guess we should not hold our breath! It was great meeting you at the Purists dinner in Boston a while back. You certainly brought some interesting watches. Also I think since Bill L....
hi there
I've got a Piaget watch with i jade dial! I dont know anything of the watch so thank's for the info about that it is a stone! I've been thinking about it for a long time. I got the watch from my grandfather, bought in the 60's. Iif you know anything more ...
I AGREE.STONE DIALS ARE BEAUTIFUL.
I AGREE,.STONE DIALS ARE BEAUTIFUL . A CHARACTER THAT ONLY PIAGET WATCHES HAVE GOT. LOOK AT ANY GORGIOUS DIAL WITH STONE AND THE FIRST IMPRESSION IS : MUST BE PIAGET. PIAGET , THE JEWEL WATCH. PROUD OWNER OF THE FOLLOWING PIAGET WATCHES.
Capital letters
shadowprince2000, Welcome to our humble abode! You may have left your CAPITAL keyboard on. Please note that Internet etiquette has assigned a meaning to capital letters when posting....it means SHOUTING loudly. I am sure you did not mean that to happen, s...
BEAUTIFUL STONE DIALS? MUST BE PIAGET.
I INHRETED THE LOVE OF PIAGET WATCHES FROM MY MOTHER WHOM SHE USED TO TAIK ABOUT THEIR BEAUTY SINCE I WAS A KID. NOW , I OWN 5 WATCHES , 4 OF THEM HAVE EITHER : MALACHITE OR JADE OR LAPIS. CHECK THE PICTURES.
Try this new posting thread
shadowprince2000, Your photos are not appearing. On the Posting Editing page, where you typed your posts, there is a section called 'Add Images to your Post'. Depending on your PC, Mac, or iPad, please use one of the clicks to get to a photo upload page. ...
A character that only PIAGET watches have got
I agree, stone dials are beautiful. A character that only Piaget watches have got. Look at any gorgeous dial with stone and the first impression is: Must be Piaget. Piaget, the jewel watch. Proud owner of the following Piaget watches: Malachite Lapis Lapi...
Those are some rare watches
shadowprince2000, You showed some rare watches. Opal is brittle and difficult to make big dials so we usually get ladies' watches with opal dial. A larger watch is rare indeed. Lapis lazuli dial is in a very rare shaped case and bracelet combination; I ha...
1960`s and 1970`s much prettier .
Thank you. I think piaget watches designs in 1960`s and 1970`s were much prettier than their late ones . Appreciate your comment.
Wow...very cool vintage Piagets...
I love the stone dial Piagets of the past. Its great seeing someone wearing and enjoying them. Best regards, Dino
Piaget opaque ruby and diamond dial
I have a Piaget opaque ruby dial with 12 diamonds (white gold hands included) for sale, if annybody is interested. (the small cut on the left is to calibrate the dial to the movement, not damage) asking €450,- Unfortunatly the watch case, and especially t...
I'm a fan of stone dials as well....
and like you, Mike, my appreciation comes from my being familiar with Jaquet Droz watches. It would be nice to see Piaget employ stone in one of the modern Altiplano models. My favorite JD (I love the hexagonal grain pattern of the ruby's heart stone): Bi...