Piaget

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[PuristS]
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PIAGET: PuristS On Tour 2008 Part 3

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.............