Traditional watch manufacturer Piaget has been developing exceptional timepieces since its founding in 1874. Building on this wealth of experience, the brand also actively participates in preserving and developing various precious Fine Watchmaking skills, such as enamelling, in which Art and Excellence merge in keeping with the finest Piaget traditions, governed by a blend of boldness and creativity.
In the honour of the Year of the Horse, Piaget presents the Altiplano 38mm enamel watch inspired by the Horse of the traditional Chinese Zodiac signs. Among the different types of horses, Piaget was fascinated by the Ferghana horse of its legendary speed and endurance. This creature, the brand says, is both graceful and ardent. On this Altiplano model, the cloisonné technique used by enamelling artist Anita Porchet, adds even more fire to the spirited rearing horse. The entire animal is filled with the vitality of yang.
The cloisonné enamelling technique involves forming small cells to create a pattern or design. The first step is to outline the desired decorative pattern using silver or gold wire. Since Piaget’s main concern is that of exceptional quality, the brand exclusively uses gold wire to outline the cells in this technique. Once the design has been reproduced, it is fixed with adragante gum that disappears during the firing process.
The wire thus marks off a certain number of hollows, which correspond to the various colour zones. The enamel is then deposited in each of the hollows and fired. This operation can be repeated several times to increase the intensity of the colour. After the final firing, the surface of the piece is smoothed and glazed.
The beautifully crafted dial is further accentuated by a bezel set with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds. It is enhanced by an alligator leather strap complete with a gold pin buckle. At its heart beats a particularly refined mechanism: the ultra-thin mechanical hand-wound Manufacture Piaget Calibre 430P. Designed, developed and produced by the Manufacture de Haute Horologerie Piaget, this mechanical hand-wound movement is one of the slimmest in its category, at just 2.1 mm thick, and drives an understated display of the hours and minutes. Like all movements emerging from the Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Piaget, Calibre 430P is exquisitely finished, including with bridges that are bevelled and adorned with circular Côtes de Genève, a circular-grained mainplate and traditional blued screws.
This Piaget Altiplano Chinese Zodiac Horse model with gem-set bezel is available in white gold and pink gold versions. Each of the two models is issued in a limited and numbered edition of 38 pieces.
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