While it might not be the most widely recognized name in luxury watches, Piaget has earned its place among connoisseurs for one distinction in particular: creating some of the world’s thinnest mechanical movements. Although they are now a Richemont-owned brand, Piaget has roots in high-end watchmaking (and high jewelry) dating back to the 1800s. In a market where exclusivity can come at a staggering price, Piaget offers authentic horological excellence that remains surprisingly accessible, with many offerings available secondhand for under $20,000. However, they also make insanely complicated watches with prices well into six figures. Join us as we explore Piaget’s watch lineup, and examine five of the best offerings from the underappreciated brand.
Piaget Watch Collections
Piaget currently offers eight timepiece collections, and we’ll give you a brief description of each below:
- Polo: Piaget’s more-rounded competitor to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak line, basically.
- Altiplano: Thin, elegant men’s dress watches.
- Dancer and Traditional: Avant-garde men’s and women’s dress watches.
- Possession: Circular ladies’ watches.
- Limelight: Gem-set ladies’ watches with unique case shapes.
- Black Tie: Elegant and sophisticated for formal events.
- Creative Collection: Artistic and imaginative designs pushing boundaries.
- Exceptional Pieces: Unique and limited-edition creations with high complications.
Our 5 Favorite Piaget Watches
Now we would like to showcase five fabulous Piaget watches from the various collections. These timepieces include the Piaget Rose Limelight Montre Ă Secret (G0A37180), the Piaget Polo Tourbillon Relatif (GOA35124), the Piaget Polo Flyback Chronograph (G0A32039), the Piaget Polo Emperador Perpetual Calendar High Jewelry watch (G0A35020) and the Piaget Altiplano Skeleton Watch (G0A34116). These watches exhibit the beauty, sophistication, creativity, and high-end complications Piaget is known for.
Piaget Rose Limelight Montre Ă Secret
The Piaget Rose Limelight Montre à Secret is from the Limelight Garden Party collection. Similar to other popular Piaget watches, the Piaget Rose Limelight Garden Party is a “secret watch”. The secret watch appears to be jewelry, but upon closer examination, one will find a timepiece within the watch’s beautiful 18K white gold case.
The case is 35mm, and set with 668 brilliant-cut diamonds (~8.7 cts). To finish off the watch’s soft, feminine looks, Piaget made the watch’s strap smooth black satin with a buckle set with 40 brilliant-cut diamonds (~.2 cts). This timepiece is wonderful for the upcoming spring and summer months and could be paired with other floral inspired jewelry from Piaget.
Piaget Polo Tourbillon Relatif
The Piaget Polo collection is arguably Piaget’s most famous collection due to its iconic timepieces which were very popular with the glitterati of the 70’s and 80’s, and are still very relevant to this day. One of the most outrageous horological achievements from Piaget is their Polo Tourbillon Relatif.
The Piaget Polo Tourbillon Relatif exhibits the mechanical superiority which made Piaget famous many years ago. The watch’s most important technical feature is its flying Tourbillon positioned at the end of the minute’s hand. The 608P Tourbillon does a double rotation on its own axis once every minute, and a double rotation around the dial hourly. Mechanics are just the tip of the iceberg in regard to this watch’s splendor.
This timepiece has a very bold look, boasting an elegant 18K rose gold case with a black PVD bezel to give the watch an edgy, yet clean-cut feel.
Piaget Polo Flyback Chronograph
Similar to the previously mentioned watch, the Piaget Polo Flyback Chrono has a simpler look, and the watch’s complications take center stage. This watch features the 880P ultra-thin automatic flyback chronograph movement with small seconds, and date and dual time zone. It’s giving parking meter vibes.
To showcase the watch’s mechanics, the master watchmakers at Piaget gave the watch a minimal look; an 18K rose gold case and a dark brown crocodile leather strap.
Piaget Emperador Cushion-Shaped High Jewelry Watch
The Piaget Emperador Cushion-Shaped Watch embodies everything the Exceptional Collection stands for; originality, magnificence, and opulence. This timepiece brings together high jewelry and high horology to form an exceptional timepiece.
With its 856P ultra-thin gem-set (25 brilliant-cut diamonds (~.2 ct)) self-winding mechanical Perpetual Calendar movement with retrograde day and date display and dual time zone this watch this watch shows that it has much more to offer than its looks, which are indeed breathtaking. The watch’s 46.5mm gem-covered 18K white gold case is perfect for someone who wants a unique men’s diamond watch.
The case is set with 60 baguette-cut diamonds (~.5ct) and 386 brilliant-cut diamonds (~2.5 ct). Unlike other timepieces mentioned, this watch’s dial also enjoys a healthy sprinkling of diamonds; 263 brilliant-cut diamonds (~1.2 ct). Lastly, the watch’s accents have diamonds as well, the crown is set with 12 baguette-cut diamonds (~.4 ct) and the buckle with 7 baguette-cut diamonds (~.6ct).
Piaget Altiplano Skeleton Watch
The last fantastic Piaget watch we would like to exhibit is the Piaget Altiplano Skeleton Watch. This watch is incredibly thin, in regard to its appearance and to its ultra-thin hand wound mechanical skeleton 838P movement.
The dial has a gorgeous Guilloché sunburst motif and skeletonized movement encircled in an 18K rose gold case. To finish off the timepiece’s strong, masculine look is a deep black crocodile leather strap.
No matter what your taste in watches, Piaget is likely to have something you can appreciate–at least from an horological standpoint. Do you have any Piaget favorites? Let us know!
More on Underappreciated Horology
Best Entry-Level Blancpain Watches
Best Entry-Level Vacheron Constantin Watches
Is Purnell the Next Richard Mille?