Piaget

I was invited to Piaget's presentation on Altiplano 900P - which has been talked about and discussed here so many times already - and I would like to dig a bit deeper how great this novelty is. Venue Andaz Tokyo in Toranomon Hills (looks and sounds famili...  

that it is so thin it can actually bend/flex and they made sure to keep the escapement as far from the crystal as possible so it wouldn't touch and stop the movement. I can't remember the brand but the article brought up some ultra thin quartz watches fro... 

docsnov, You are correct that very thin watches in the past suffered flex and imprecise timing because the glass or case back would touch the moving parts of the watch. The biggest innovation (or thinnest innovation) that Piaget introduced for the 900P is... 

I think this is an attractive watch, but I have had some reservations about its durability due to its being so thin. Your information makes me think they have addressed this concern to the best of their ability. Stewart

Some people asked where the protective "bumpers" are. Actually they are very thin sub-dial recesses. The best illustration is the photo of the diamond-set ring around the time display. The diamonds make the protection ring more obvious but even without th... 

.. I did not apply too much pressure, but the crystal seemed tough enough, although for precaution, the dial and hands are sunk down than the bridge surface so that the dial/ hands would be protected. Smartly designed. Ken

or should I say, great but thin watch. I love it.

Thanks KIH for the report. These must be close to production standard of watches if they start to gem set the "bezel". At the previews end-2013 and at SIHH 2014, the watches were not yet at production standard. The 38mm diameter is 'correct' for such a ul... 

.. Mori Building. And basically the are made on the former graveyard - tons of ghost stories told by the employees of the tenants LOL. The stone bezel one has the same spec, but diamond dial has some height and is 5.65 mm thickness.... I heard. Wonderful ... 

And makes complete sense to help this watch be so thin. I really like the look of the watch. I also see the diameter as "just right", especially when considering how thin the watch is. The side by side shots with the Lange really show the difference. Grea... 

Yup, the venue is to "trendy" and there are soooo many people despite it was weekday daytime. There are many people who can't help following the "trend" or "fashion" - which I am NOT :-) Yup, Fx's photo really helps illustrate the base plate and caseback ... 

Nice write up, thank you!

I am excited to see this one in person when distribution starts up. Like with the Vacheron Constantin Histoiques 1955, the combination of thinnes with a relatively wide diameter (36 mm for the VC, 38 mm for the Piaget) makes for a wearable watch. Did you ... 

.. the feel was not too hard, but not too soft. Just right, I thought..... This is really a wonderful watch... Thanks, Bill! Ken

.......to improve power:weight ratios, the super car manufacturer has to think outside the box. To use aluminium instead of heavier materials. To remove superfluous "extras" in order to focus on the crucial essentials. When you said that: " The other side... 

are comparable. Piaget tried the unconventional way of using the back plate as an integral movement part (well, AP, Swatch have done as well). This reminds me on the 'super-leggera' chassis/body construction of some race cars. Piaget has produced an impre... 

.. ultra thin movement/ watches, but NOT to sacrifice anything (well, may be something unimportant, just maybe) including accuracy and reliability and durability, not to mention "aesthetics". Kudos! Ken

putting the dial in amidst the rest of the movement is brilliant. Cazalea

.. or totally different concept, more than "think out of the box" approach. Yes, very cool movement and design effort - let alone their usual excellent finishing.... Thanks! Ken

The new Piaget Altiplano 900P is amazing! The innovation, the finishing and design are all perfect to me. Thanks for all your pics and technical details. A great report indeed! cheers robin

.. so nice that it is very tempting to many people.... Thank you! Ken

Veeery nice Piaget. Certainly my favourite among the watches of this brand. The work on the dial, movement and case, without forgetting the sapphire, as you rightly mentionned it, is just superb. A great Watch. Best, and thanks for this report. Nicolas

... yup, Lange 1 looks so bulky and I was very surprised. Very nicely done dress watch. Great watch indeed. Thank you! Ken

I appreciate the technical prowess of making such an ultra-thin watch; however, I don't like the physical look and feel of wearing an ultra thin watch though. I'm not the target customer as I like my watches big and thick :) but I do have to admit this Al... 

... and that's okay not to like it. But technical advancement and their effort, idea are nonetheless impressive! Ken

On super-thin watches the strap often is more bulky and stiff than one would like. How was the strap on the 900P? (My Universal Geneve @ 5.4mm) Cazalea ...  

As you see in the photo, in this case, the strap is about 3 mm at the lug ends, but get thinner as it goes to the tips - I am guessing it is then 2mm - so, it doesn't feel too thick. Could be even thinner, but I think that is just about right thickness st... 

I like the overall design and that Piaget kept it to a reasonable 38mm. Proportions look better in this size. Can't wait to see this one in person. Thanks for the report Ken. Regards, ED-209

It brings a very contemporary touch to the Altiplano line. I'm sure it will be a base for other aesthetic approaches from Piaget. Thanks Ken for the report. Fx ...  

That is the only pic available :-) Yup, I like this one, too! Ken

Thank you Ken for the excellent report! That venue location is certainly stunning. The views of the city are stunning. I personally don't love this particular Altiplano, I prefer the more traditional designs, but the thin-ness comparison to your Lange onl...