Piaget

A look at Piaget Lady's Altiplano and Dancing Light

 

Though my focus as a collector has long been with Vacheron Constantin, I've enjoyed getting to know Piaget's watches and have written about various Altiplano models as well as the Gouverneur in the recent past. While Vacheron Constantin makes top of the line watches for men, they have historically been weaker when it comes to watches for women though they are addressing this (see the 2013 novelties). No one can make such a claim about Piaget! Piaget is renowned for making spectacular lady’s models, and this article will focus on two current production pieces.

The Altiplano is my favorite collection from Piaget, at least when it comes to men’s timepieces. They are slim and elegant, and with the 40 mm manual and 43 mm automatic, they exhibit a touch of whimsy with offset small seconds display. While there are many fine models for women, I recently came across the 34 mm manual winding model with diamond-paved dial which stunned me with it’s beauty.


Like with all Altiplano models, the polished white gold case is slim, with a thickness of only 6.3 mm. The bezel is set with 72 diamonds. The dial is what gives the watch it’s wow factor. Diamonds, all 574  of them with a total carat weight of 1.7 ct, are set in concentric circles.


There are twelve white gold applied index markers, and the Piaget signature is actually printed on the crystal.


I think it was wise for Piaget to put wider dauphine hands, half-frosted and half polished, over this dial, as the typical baton hands of the men’s models would make reading the time too difficult.

The final touch of elegance is the setting of 23 diamonds along the tang buckle.


Appealing to the Purist in me is the manual winding caliber 430P, Piaget’s excellent ultrathin movement, though it is hidden behind a solid case back.

My only negative comment is in regards to the black alligator strap with black stitching. While perfect for the men’s models, I would prefer either a satin finished strap or an alligator strap with rolled edges to provide a more elegant looks for women.
 
Taking whimsy one step further is the Dancing Light timepiece from the Limelight collection


This watch has a more presence than the Altiplano with its 39 mm diameter case, also in white gold. The bezel is set with 52 diamonds with a total carat weight of 1.65 ct. What distinguishes the watch is the white gold circle that spins (very) freely over the diamond-paved dial. It really has to been seen to be believed!

The hour and minute baton hands are quite short, and point to the white gold applied Roman numbers and index markers. Time-telling is less important here than with the Altiplano above.


Like on the Altiplano, the diamonds on the dial, numbering 335 with a total weight of 2.3 ct, are set in concentric circles, with a break on the slope from the lower dial to the upper one.

The movement is Piaget’s quartz calibre 56P. Notice that there is no crown. Time is set by depressing a recessed pin on the case back.

While the Dancing Light watch makes a dramatic first impression, and is great for special occasions, I think that Altiplano is the better choice for more regular wear and for the long haul.

Bill 

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