The Art of the High Jewelry Watch
The art of high jewelry watches begins with two of the most influential French brands in history: Piaget and Cartier. The French watchmakers, who have been creating exquisite timepieces for over a century, are the leading innovators in the industry. Their designs and materials reflect tradition and innovation, while their innovative spirit and inventiveness are unsurpassed. Creating high jewelry watches is an art that requires both tradition and imagination.
Tradition
Piaget and Cartier have a rich history of selling their products to royalty, and their high jewelry watches are no exception. King Edward VII of Great Britain referred to Cartier as “the jeweller of kings.” In 1902, he ordered 27 tiaras for his coronation. A year later, he gave a royal warrant to the company, followed by similar warrants from the House of Orleans, Spain, Portugal, and Serbia.
The Piaget brand started in Cote-aux-Fees, Switzerland, where Georges-Edouard Piaget established the Ateliers de la Cote-aux-Fee in 1886. His motto, “Always do better than necessary,” guided his business over the next decade. At first, Piaget supplied other watchmakers with high-precision movements, but in the 1920s, they began making their own fine luxury timepieces.
One of the Piaget watches is the Wings of Light collection, which draws inspiration from the beauty of nature. Inspired by exotic bird wings, these pieces come in jewel-like tones. Piaget also partners with independent makers, like Nelly Saunier, an expert in the 16th-century art of plumasserie. These feathered pieces are so delicate that they can be removed and worn as earrings.
The French luxury watchmaker recently announced its first Middle-Eastern exhibition, called L’Art de L’Or, at the prestigious Art Dubai. The exhibit includes high-jeweled pieces, artist commissions, and experiences. Piaget is often a brand ambassador for its products, with celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Angelina Jolie wearing their luxury timepieces. Piaget’s latest Ramadan campaign features an Emirati singer portraying the values of Piaget.
Today’s high-end jewelry watches are highly prized for their beauty, artistry, and functionality. The designers are constantly experimenting with new setting techniques and gem cuts, and the style and function of these watches has never been greater. In recent years, new trends in gem-set watches are bringing a return to the traditions of true luxury and a return to the elegance and beauty of the past.
Omega is a slightly older brand than Piaget, and has a richer history. It is known for iconic watches like the Moonwatch and the James Bond watch. Its entry-level watches are more affordable than Piaget top-tier models. Omega has an excellent accuracy rating and is a superior manufacturer of watch components. Its most popular watches are luxury tool watches. It is important to note that Piaget’s prices are comparable to those of other luxury watchmakers.
Innovation
The Global “High Jewelry Market” research report offers significant insights into the market’s size, scope, opportunities, challenges, and business techniques. The report includes company profiles, product specifications, production capacity, revenue, gross margin, and more. It also examines the trends, drivers, and barriers that shape the High Jewelry market. It also includes information on the growth rate of the market over the forecast period. This report will help you understand the competitive landscape and determine the best strategy for your business.
Coveted: Art and Innovation in High Jewelry is the first comprehensive book to examine jewelry as an art form. It features over 70 of today’s most influential jewelry designers and presents hundreds of crisp photographs of extraordinary pieces. The book features thoughtful thematic chapters that examine the cultural, economic, and historical forces driving the industry. While the book is aimed at art lovers, it is also a great resource for anyone who appreciates fine jewelry.
In September of 2020, Celine Assimon will present her first titanium-set watch, the Alchemist of Light. The collection is expected to include seven parures, each of which will explore themes of reflection and fluidity. Designed with both a classical and contemporary aesthetic, this timepiece will appeal to high-net-worth spending clients and fashionistas. Currently, two of the seven planned parures will be unveiled during the London Watch Fair.
In addition to the new NFT technology, Bulgari will also showcase the first pieces of their high jewelry collection based on the new NFT technology. As part of the company’s trailblazing DNA, the Ultra Thin Timepiece is a part of the company’s NFT High Jewellery collection. The ‘Elegant’ NFT watch represents a unique and exquisite design that transcends the limits of materiality and is inspired by the world of art and culture.
Imagination
The Golden Oasis collection from Piaget captures the vibrant light of the desert from dusk to dawn, inviting the wearer to take a journey across the vast landscape. Organized into three chapters, this collection displays Piaget’s visionary imagination and artisanal craftsmanship. Featuring a bold style, gold and vivid gemstone details, the Golden Oasis collection is sure to inspire dreams.
Inspired by the work of Roman masters, Piaget enlisted the assistance of a talented Roman artisan. Never before had a watchmaking company employed the ornamental technique of micromosaics. These small tesserae, with their polychrome effect, create a stunningly brilliant appearance. The light blue hue of the Majestic Plumage evokes a magnificent panorama and the red pagoda symbolizes joy and good fortune.
Known for their iconic watch designs, Piaget has been creating innovative luxury timepieces for more than a century. Piaget has introduced the thinnest mechanical wristwatch in history, and a new Altiplano Ultimate Concept watch is just the latest example. Piaget is led by Chabi Nouri, who has served as the brand’s CEO for the last three years. Chabi initially joined the brand as a Global Brand Equity Director before being appointed International Managing Director and CEO in April 2017.
The Mysterious Hour, the most famous of Cartier’s mystery watches, is one of the company’s most iconic pieces. Its ‘Fuseau’ movement powers the large date display at the top of the dial. Cartier’s recent Mysterious collection introduced a number of in-house movements, including a 9452MC. Imagination in high jewelry watches by Piaget and Cartier have long been linked to the development of countless iconic watch cases.
Piaget introduced a new high jewelry watch collection called the Sunny Side of Life collection in Paris during Paris Couture Week 2016. This range of pieces is made of rock crystal and diamonds. A unique design of a watch evokes a dream of a distant paradise and stimulates the sixth sense. With such intricate designs, the collection is sure to inspire and enchant the wearer.
Design
Since joining the Cartier Monde group in 1988, Piaget has maintained its traditional brand name and remains a family business with Yves as its president. It has also joined the Vendome Luxury Group in 1993, a company which has since merged with the Richemont Group. Piaget has collaborated with the fashion and art designer Olivia Palermo on three occasions. The collection features the actress wearing rose gold jewellery and colourful, accumulated pieces. Sebastian Kim captured her portrait in Dubai in 2011.
The two brands have collaborated on an exclusive high jewelry watch design with a model. Bar Refaeli is an Israeli supermodel, most famous for her work with Victoria’s Secret. She was featured in the swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated in 2009 and is currently ranked #1 on Maxim’s Hot 100 list. Piaget is famous for its beautiful jewelry, but its watches are equally stunning. The new high jewelry watch design is inspired by her style.
The first haute horlogerie creation by Piaget features one of the thinnest cases in the industry and the finest gems. Piaget’s avant-garde approach has set the benchmark for fine watchmaking. This modernist approach encapsulates the brand’s vision for a watch. It exudes the deep elegance of jewels and radiates sophistication. It is important to note that Piaget and Cartier do not necessarily compete in the high jewelry watch market.
Louis and Pierre Cartier merged in 1905, forming a joint-stock company. Although they continued to use movements from other manufacturers, they began adding their own reference numbers to their watches and started stamping four-digit codes on the watch’s lug. Jacques Cartier took over the London operations in 1907 and moved the company to New Bond Street. After a decade, the company was in a position to compete with the biggest name in high jewelry.
During this time, the Piaget brand has continued to evolve. While Cartier watches have been largely imitated, Piaget watches have always been characterized by innovative design. Their 1979 Piaget Polo watch, for example, became a huge hit for its luxurious refinement. The watch was widely copied throughout the 1980s. Piaget and Cartier have become two of the most respected luxury brands in the world.