MTF
[PuristS]
13383
The heart of Piaget watches
is their own movements.
That is the point that I frequently find that even their own customers (jewellery) are surprised when I talk with them.
"What's the big deal about having own movements?", they ask.
Good question: In practical terms...they make NO difference (gasp) if the owner just wants a watch that works and keeps time. The ideal movement is quartz and Piaget was a pioneer of Swiss quartz movement (Beta 21 project).
But for the discussion of design, havoing a movement design and production team means that the dial design is not a slave to the off-the-shelf movement. Anything is desirable and Everything is possible. Since Piaget started as a movement maker for other brands, they are most experienced to make movements that serve the design.
One of their mottos is "Technique in the service of Aesthetic"......I paraphrase because my French is minimal. 
Regards,
MTF
Piaget Technique & Aesthetic: Part 1 – Design
Piaget Technique & Aesthetic: Part 1 – Design Piaget recently released the first of their' know-how' watchmaking videos that premiered on PuristSPro. We were very honoured that PuristS could be the first in the world to see it....even before the Piage...
Thanks a lot Melvin for this great article.
Sure that Piaget watches have a very delicate design. Gouverneur, Altiplano, Polo, Emperador, they all share in common a refined style. Thanks Melvin! Fx
Piaget is Not for everybody...well, except the Altiplano
FrX, I agree the Piaget style was initially a mystery to me. Then, I read through the history (patrimony) of the company from family owned through the quartz 'crisis' that Piaget rode by finding a niche customer....the rich jet-set. For them, quality and ...
Thanks for the article MTF. One thing I always wondered about is why do watch brand
who also specialize in jewelery have dial designs that usually are avant garde? Is it because the dial designers from these brands are also influenced by jewelery design? Take for instance, Piaget, Chopard, and Bulgari - all 3 of these brands' watch dials...
You may have a point there about brands with dual mastery
The examples you gave come in two classes: Watchmakers that became Jewelllers: Piaget, Chopard , Patek Philippe (sic), Omega (double sic). Jewellers that became Watchmakers: Bulgari, Cartier, Harry Winston , Van Cleef Arpels, Tiffany (sic). But seriously,...
Piaget designs and techniques
Thanks for sharing the exclusive video and the background on the Piaget designs. It brings back fond memories of our PuristS visit to Piaget back in 2008. I really enjoyed the tour where we visited their development department and was able to see how Piag...
When I first saw the stereolithography
in 2006, I was surprised. It seemed such an elegant solution to the need for speed in prototyping. Of course, I still had old fashioned ideas of clay modelling then. Regards, MTF
The recurring theme...
...in the responses from Piaget about freedom and liberty to design, is palpable in the finished product. More so than any other major brand owned by a conglomerate, I think Piaget's watches are overtly emotional. They don't make "safe" choices in design ...
The heart of Piaget watches
is their own movements. That is the point that I frequently find that even their own customers (jewellery) are surprised when I talk with them. "What's the big deal about having own movements?", they ask. Good question: In practical terms...they make NO d...
Ouch! I wrote an answer to Anthony's post, and just realized that you elaborated it
Very well! I admire a lot these magicians which have to stick to horological realities. Thanks for the superb write up, and to Piaget for sharing all this with us. Best, Nicolas. PS; The Piaget skeleton is really something!
I am most impressed by this...
... " Some brands claim a famous celebrity as their Muse, so I asked, Who is the Piaget muse? As expected from a brand with Calvinist roots, the answer was: “Each woman and man is a muse for Piaget and we try to offer unique and exceptional luxury product...
Some may feel that was marketing "speak" but
Piaget really has no Muse today. In the past, they had famous 'friends' like Salvador Dali and movie stars but they were not muses in the classical vein. More like fellow jet-setters or the arts & social scene that Yves Piaget was a part of. That's ho...
The Altiplano Skeleton 1200 S is my favourite Piaget.
I absolutely love tis modern expression of skeleton, light, modern, very convincing. If I had to have one Piaget, it would be, without doubt, this one. SUPERB! Best, Nicolas