A Close Look at the Cartier Piaget Watch
In this article we’ll look at some of the key features of this watch. From its vertical integration to its thinnest automatic movement, we’ll explore the nuances that make this watch unique. And you’ll discover how limited production makes this watch a desirable purchase. We’ll also look at the unique stone dials, and how it’s limited to only a few hundred pieces.
Watchmaker’s vertical integration
A Swiss watchmaker has been able to maintain a competitive edge for over a century by fully integrating their manufacturing operations. The Piaget Manufacture is organized around lines and consists of large areas without pillars and partitions. The company has 40 different specialist professions. The production process in Plan-les-Ouates includes machining of bracelets, gem setting, polishing, case-up, and adjustment.
Founded in 1851 by Gerald Piaget, the company had a rich history and innovative heritage. The company pioneered quartz movements and later focused on the jewellery watch market. In the 1960s, Piaget acquired several Geneva workshops, while maintaining its Manufacture in La Cote aux Fees. It also continued to manufacture mechanical movements. In 1988, Piaget was acquired by Cartier, who sought Piaget’s expertise in movement development and its production facility. After Piaget’s merger with Cartier, it became a jewellery and watchmaker.
The watchmaker’s success has paved the way for innovation. The Piaget brand became the world’s most popular luxury watch. Its first men’s watch, the Emperador, was introduced to the market in 1957. This watch was a breakthrough in the watchmaking industry. The company is now a leading luxury watchmaker, and its success is not waning.
The rotor is visible and all components are integrated in it. A high-tech differential system borrowed from the automotive industry prevents the time display from being caught in the mass of movement. The rotor’s unique principle of vertical integration keeps the balance wheel in the vertical position. In addition to the rotor, the watch’s dial also features a skeletonized design.
Thinnest automatic movement
The 1904MC caliber, the thinnest automatic movement in a Cartier watch, was first introduced in 2011. The 1904MC has a power reserve of 48 hours and features a date complication and subsidiary seconds dial at six o’clock. It first appeared in the Calibre de Cartier, and later became the base for various Chronographs and perpetual calendar calibers.
Piaget has always sought to find innovative solutions in the area of thinness, and this quest has continued into the present day. In 1957, Piaget launched the 9P manual-winding movement, which measured just 2 mm thick. In 1960, Piaget introduced the 12P self-winding movement, which was 2.3 mm thick and a true milestone in watchmaking history. This movement featured a 24 carat gold microrotor, ensuring efficient mainspring winding.
The Calibre 12P movement was the thinnest automatic movement available in a Piaget watch in serial production. The 12-P was equipped with a gold microrotor, and its thin case was the first in the world to feature such a feature. It also features an impressive 27-jewel mainspring. The movement has 191 components, and its bridges are encased in rose gold, ensuring that it is even thinner than the jaeger-lecoultre master ultra-thin squelette.
The new Altiplano watch is the latest Piaget model to feature an ultra-thin automatic movement. Its 3.65mm case is the world’s thinnest mechanical watch. It is made possible through the combined expertise of two Piaget manufactures, in La Cote-aux-Fees and Geneva. Both manufactures collaborate on the design of this watch, allowing it to be assembled directly onto the movement.
Stone dials
The intricate process of creating the stone dials on a Cartier watch begins with selecting a rough stone. A rough stone is cut into 1mm-thick slices, polished, and then faceted for its unique appearance. These pieces are then attached to the dial plate by cutting thin strips of hazel tree branches and abrasive-coated steel wire. Each dial element is attached to the dial plate and finished with swirls in different shades of green.
The production of the stone dials on a Piaget watch began in the mid-1960s, with the introduction of the calibre 9P. Stone dials were used as an accessory on ultra-thin watches and extravagant models. The stone-covered disc was used to show the hours, and the contrasting stones added a splash of color. The dials often were made to resemble jeweled pendants, as they were used to be highly contrasting in color.
The use of hard stone dials has become popular, with many brands now incorporating them into their decorative repertory. Among these is the Altiplano Automatic 40mm, which demonstrates the unique character of the stone dial by presenting an enchanting display of the mineral. Many collectors of fine watches will find it fascinating to note that these watches are hand-crafted in harmony with the traditions of watchmaking.
The evolution of Piaget watches started in the 1920s, when Gerald Piaget and his brother Joseph started the brand in La Cote-aux-Fees, Switzerland. The brand’s success was based on its svelte mechanical movements. Piaget sent its ambassadors to faraway places to spread the brand’s message. The fourth generation Piaget studied gemmology in Los Angeles.
Limited production
One of the best-selling pieces of limited production Cartier Piaget watches is the CPCP (limited production cartier piaget) watch. The CPCP is a beautiful example of high-end Swiss watchmaking. The dials are 18k gold and the manual winding movements are finely finished. George Cramer, a long-time Cartier collector, has an exclusive watch to show you.
The limited-production Cartier Piaget watch is a beautiful example of the Swiss brand’s watchmaking skills. The watch has a distinctive and enviable aesthetic that makes it an ideal choice for women. The Piaget’s dial is surrounded by brilliant diamonds. The diamonds weigh 2.50 carats total and are F color with VS clarity. The watch’s bezel features four visible screws at each corner. It has a dial that combines modern and classic tastes. It also features a single movement and dual timekeeping.
The Tank Asymetrique is a classic Cartier design. Originally known as the Tank Oblique, this dial angled diagonally and was designed for drivers. Over the years, it changed shape and number of lugs on either end. Eventually, George Cramer updated the design and named it the Tank Asymetrique. It is currently the most expensive model in the Cartier Piaget line, and is worth every cent.
This collection has a wide variety of features. Many of the models from the Collection Privee collection featured high-quality calibers. Most of them were finished by Cartier and were displayed through the glass back. This glass back feature was novel at the time. In addition to being rare, the CPCP collection was only produced in 100 pieces. At that time, Cartier had over 200 brand boutiques in the UK.
Price
If you’re in the market for a new watch, you may be wondering what the Piaget price is. The Swiss luxury watchmaker is part of the Richemont group. While it was founded as a pocket watch company, it has since expanded into wristwatch manufacturing. In the 1950s, Piaget’s fame grew to a crescendo, when it introduced the world’s thinnest automatic watch and its micro-rotor design.
Today, Piaget is a major luxury retailer in Switzerland, and it is widely known for its iconic timepieces. The company is a world-renowned luxury watchmaker, and each piece is created from start to finish in its own workshops. Since the company started in 1874, Piaget has been able to merge the precision and refinement of a jeweler with the sophistication of a watchmaker. The company’s unique designs combine elegance and quality to create an enduring piece of art.
Founded in 1874, Piaget became synonymous with glamour, style, and luxury. Its Haute Joaillerie watches quickly became sought after. In 1979, it launched the Piaget Polo, a sports watch that became a worldwide sensation. In 1988, Piaget was acquired by Richemont, and the brand’s sales increased 45 percent to EUR3.2 billion in 2021, a great performance following several years of underperformance. Piaget is now the fourth largest brand in Richemont’s Specialist Watchmakers division, behind IWC Schaffhausen, A Lange & Sohn, Baume & Mercier, and Panerai.