For the very first time, Piaget presents an Altiplano Tourbillon in a 38mm size, in a Limited Edition, offering one of watchmaking’s finest complications in a smaller diameter. Piaget unveiled in 2017 its first Altiplano Tourbillon powered by a 670 movement in a 41mm case size. High complications for women are particularly rare in the watch industry, especially in this 38mm size that has been created exclusively for them by Piaget. This new timepiece is also being unveiled alongside another Altiplano Tourbillon Limited Edition in 41mm that comes with a gorgeous blue lacquered dial.
The Art of Movement
Piaget was founded in 1874 by Georges Edouard Piaget who started making watch components in his workshop on the family farm in the village of La Côte-aux-Fées. He sold high-precision parts and movements to some of the leading international watch companies across the Swiss Jura. Already at this time, the components he was manufacturing were ultra-thin.
Ultra-thin: The Aesthetics of Purity
Ultra-thin movements and timepieces have always been at the heart of Piaget’s culture and history. In the 1950s, Piaget set itself the challenge of creating a revolutionary new watch movement of unheralded thinness. The result, unveiled in Geneva in 1957, was the 9P. At only 2mm thick, this calibre was universally hailed for the elegance of its profile, its performance, and its outstanding reliability. The 9P was one of the world’s thinnest mechanical movements.
In 1960 Piaget unveiled the 12P, the thinnest automatic movement in the world, becoming the first of many world records for the Maison. Since the 1960s, ultra-thin watches have become one of Piaget’s horological specialities.
The Altiplano Tourbillon
In 2017, Piaget celebrated the 60th anniversary of its ultra-thin movement with the unveiling of the ultra-thin Altiplano Flying Tourbillon, putting the movement at the service of the design. This manufacture, manual-winding movement featured the time at eight o’clock and the tourbillon at two o’clock. With 157 ultra-thin and ultra-light components, such as a carriage measuring a mere 2.88mm, three titanium bridges weighing no more than 0.2g, and some components measuring no more than the thickness of a human hair, the Piaget Altiplano Tourbillon is a feat of engineering. It also holds a patent for its stem mechanism, featuring an intermediate wheel that looks like a staircase and enables the user to set the time of the off-centered dial — another first in the watch industry.
Two New Altiplano Tourbillon Limited Editions
Piaget’s latest Altiplano Tourbillon Limited Edition comes in a new 38mm size that has been crafted exclusively for women. Not only is Piaget offering this high complication for women, but it has developed a smaller 38mm case size just for them in this pure white mother-of-pearl, which is accompanied by a 41mm version with a blue dial for those who appreciate a larger, bolder look.
These two new Piaget Altiplano Limited Editions highlight the ultra-thin flying tourbillon carriage in a round window at 2 o’clock. The position of the tourbillon with the hour and minutes counter at 8 o’clock form a lucky 8 and infinity symbol, symbolising good fortune, eternity, and everlasting love.
The pure white version comes in a 38mm rose gold case with an exclusive white mother-of-pearl dial featuring a sunray engraving, dark grey indexes, and rose gold coloured hands. The timepiece is adorned with 88 sparkling diamonds (approx. 1.09 cts) on the bezel and the folding clasp. The blue model comes in a slightly larger 41mm rose gold case and is fitted with a blue lacquered sunray dial and rose gold coloured hands and indexes. It is set with 84 diamonds on the bezel and folding clasp (approx. 1.79 cts). Both come with sapphire case backs that provide a stunning view on this ultra-thin movement. They are paired with alligator straps – an elegant grey for the white version and a midnight blue for the blue version – and are limited to 88 pieces each.
Piaget Altiplano Tourbillon Technical Specifications
Piaget Altiplano Tourbillon 38mm Ref. G0 A 45030
Functions
- Off-centred hours and minutes at 8 o’clock
- Flying tourbillon at 2 o’clock
- Seconds indicated by the tourbillon carriage at 2 o’clock
Movement
- Piaget manufacture ultra-thin hand-wound tourbillon movement (670 P)
- Diameter: 38 mm
- Power reserve approx 48 h
- Number of jewels 23
- Number of Components 157
Case & Dial
- Watch in 18 K 5 N rose gold
- Bezel set with 64 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx 1.03 cts)
- Sapphire case back
- Engraved white mother of pearl dial with sunray motif with dark grey coloured indexes
Strap & Buckle
- Grey alligator leather strap with 18 K rose gold folding clasp set with 24 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx 0.06 ct)
Numbered limited edition of 88 pieces
Piaget Altiplano Tourbillon 41mm Ref. G0 A 45032
Functions
- Off-centred hours and minutes at 8 o’clock
- Flying tourbillon at 2 o’clock
- Seconds indicated by the tourbillon carriage at 2 o’clock
Movement
- Piaget manufacture ultra-thin hand-wound tourbillon movement (670 P)
- Diameter: 41 mm
- Power reserve approx 48 h
- Number of jewels 23
- Number of Components 157
Case & Dial
- Watch in 18 K 5 N rose gold
- Bezel set with 60 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx 1.44 cts)
- Sapphire case back
- Blue lacquered dial with sunray motif and rose gold coloured indexes
Strap & Buckle
- Dark blue alligator leather strap with 18 K rose gold folding clasp set with 24 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx 0.06 ct)
Numbered limited edition of 88 pieces
