PIAGET Mythical Journey part 6: Precious Thread Embroidery Altiplano Plum and Pine

Mar 03, 2014,02:20 AM

PIAGET Mythical Journey Collection part 6: Precious Thread Embroidery

Piaget Altiplano 38mm Precious Thread Embroidery watch dials: Plum Blossom and Pine Tree

From the launch of 'A Mythical Journey Collection' of watches and jewellery by Piaget in November 2013, we take a closer look at a unique technique: Precious Metal Thread Embroidery for watch dials. Two versions of Piaget Altiplano 38mm Precious Thread Embroidery watches are featured in the Piaget Mythical Journey Collection with either plum flower or pine tree motifs on the dials.

Piaget was the first to introduce precious metal thread embroidery to watchmaking in 2013 with a celebratory watch edition of the Yves Piaget Rose (CLICK he following URI link):
piaget.watchprosite.com

Yves Piaget Rose

Precious Thread Embroidery watch dial Yves Piaget Rose motif (2013)

Embroidery throughout history

From the primitive arts to the most modern explorations, the history of embroidery is closely tied to that of civilisations. Though the needle and thread date back to prehistoric times, a number of writings, such as Homer’s Iliad, as well as ancient bas-reliefs from Egypt, Babylon, and Rome, contain evidence of the richness and beauty of fabric decorated with precious sewn threads of different colours and textures. According to tradition, it is to Asia that we owe the technique of beating gold or silver into gold or silver leaf and cutting the sheets into small ribbons that were then mixed with coloured threads.

Embroidery played an important role at the time in cultural exchanges through the fabric-laden caravans that travelled the Silk Road . It attained unequalled heights of sophistication in Byzantium.

During the Crusades, Europeans discovered the beauty of Middle Eastern embroidery and brought them back to their home countries, while developing them by means of their own techniques. Embroidery thus became a ceremonial art and artisans devoted the full force of their talent to adorning religious and royal garments.

How apt that the Mythical Journey Collection by Piaget includes icons from one end of the Silk Road : the plum blossom and pine tree of the Mystic East.

Piaget Altiplano 38mm Precious Thread Embroidery Dial
18K white gold case set with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.7 ct), Mythical Journey logo engraved on the case back
Black silk dial with precious thread embroidery, pine tree design
Manufacture Piaget 430P, ultra-thin hand-wound mechanical movement
Functions : H, Mn, 43-hour power reserve (approx.)
Case diameter : 38 mm
Bracelet : black satin with white gold ardillon buckle
G0A38573

Piaget Altiplano 38mm Precious Thread Embroidery Dial
18K white gold case set with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.7 ct), Mythical Journey logo engraved on the case back
Black silk dial with precious thread embroidery, plum blossom design
Manufacture Piaget 430P, ultra-thin hand-wound mechanical movement
Functions : H, Mn, 43-hour power reserve (approx.)
Case diameter : 38 mm
Bracelet : black satin with white gold ardillon buckle
G0A38574

Pine-tree branch tracing template

Perforating the tracing template for the pine-tree branch model that will serve as a pouncing pattern on the black silk. A white powder will pass through the perforations and thus mark out the points of reference.

Perforating the tracing template for the plum blossom model that will serve as a pouncing pattern on the black silk.

The process begins with silk, which is stretched and attached to a support and upon which the artist traces the lines of the design with chalk.

Pin cushion

Pine-tree branch tracing used to centre the embroidery, laminate couching thread needle

Laminate couching thread

Bobbin of couching thread

The embroidery artist uses the needle to form a cannetille, a small filigree-type element of a delicate spirally twisted gold thread. Each cannetille is then embroidered onto the silk, one detail after another, a process calling for a number of operations performed with indubitable patience.

Pine tree branch: raised satin stiches and filling in laminate couching thread re-embroidered with straight satin stitching

Pine needles: embroidered with laminate couching thread

On the Altiplano, the pine tree branch is made using raised satin stitches, a back-stitched filling re-embroidered with straight stitching, while the pine needles are embroidered with straight stitching. This motif calls for over six hours of work and two metres of precious thread. This extremely delicate embroidery technique requires working within less than half-millimetre precision. It requires close cooperation between Piaget and the embroidery artisan to guarantee the accurate proportions of the motif and comply with the size constraints of the dial, the height of the hand-fitting and the extreme slenderness of the case.

Embroidering the pine-tree branch through a magnifying glass to verify the regularity of the workmanship

The motif steadily comes to life beneath the artisan’s nimble fingers, as a wonderful association between the shiny black silk and the radiant precious thread begins to take shape. Reflecting the sparkling diamonds on the bezel, the tree thus immortalised under the sapphire crystal catches and forever holds the light. Like a black and white photograph, Altiplano captures the venerable symbol of the pine tree branch that becomes an ode to nature in its entirety. The result is an infinite wealth of emotion.

The process is the same for the plum blossom motif but the emotion is different as the flower evokes a different mood of Spring and new beginnings.

Plum blossom embroidered in laminate couching thread, regular straight stitches

Plum tree branch: raised satin stich and filling in laminate couching thread re-embroidered with straight stitching

Plum blossom: embroidered with laminate couching thread, regular straight stitches

Plum blossom embroidered in laminate couching thread, regular straight stitches

Cutting the laminate couching thread to keep it on the exact level as the silk

"A Mythical Journey by PIAGET" Series (CLICK the following URL links)

A Piaget Mythical Journey Begins (Overview)
piaget.watchprosite.com

PIAGET Mythical Journey part 2: Bulino Engraving
piaget.watchprosite.com

PIAGET Mythical Journey part 3: Plique-à-jour Enamel
piaget.watchprosite.com

PIAGET Mythical Journey part 4: Engraving Gold
piaget.watchprosite.com

PIAGET Mythical Journey part 5: Micro-mosaic
piaget.watchprosite.com

PIAGET Mythical Journey part 6: Precious Thread Embroidery

piaget.watchprosite.com

PIAGET Mythical Journey part 7: Miniature Enamel
piaget.watchprosite.com

PIAGET Mythical Journey part 8: Cloisonné and Champlevé Enamel
piaget.watchprosite.com

Dr M. Teillol-Foo (2014)

This message has been edited by MTF on 2014-03-14 17:08:20

Comments: view entire thread

You continue to amaze me ...

By: Marcus Hanke : March 3rd, 2014-04:15

... with your Mythical Journey series. Whenever I think thee is no step-up possible, you present another fascinating, seemingly impossible technique. This is really great stuff, and my respect for both, Piaget's dedication to handcraft, and your skill of ...

I only report what Piaget produce but they have many

By: MTF : March 3rd, 2014-09:35

.....techniques. It's a double-edged sword....the more techniques there are, the more work there is to report. Regards, MTF

Once again

By: Spellbound : March 3rd, 2014-05:00

Once again, thank you for taking us on a journey deeper and deeper into the artistry of the House of Piaget. I am just blown away by this first ever use of needle and precious metal thread in watchmaking. And 2 metres of thread on a tiny dial?! Women's wa...

Still more techniques in the service of aesthetic at Piaget

By: MTF : March 3rd, 2014-09:32

[Sigh] Alas, there are more techniques at the service of aesthetics at Piaget......my job is never done ! ;) MTF

A very refined dial...

By: foversta : March 3rd, 2014-12:33

Mythical Journey? I don't know, this Altiplano makes me think more about the Couture Precieuse! Thanks for the presentation! Fx

Piaget Couture Precieuse Collection

By: MTF : March 3rd, 2014-13:45

Piaget Couture Precieuse Collection I can see similarities between the precious metal thread embroidery and the Piaget Couture Precieuse Collection. This is not surprising because the thema of the latter were couture motifs and techniques including embroi...

Darn

By: Ares501 - Mr Green : March 6th, 2014-04:41

and just when I thought I finished Mythical journey series that did me harm there is more :) Thank you so much anyway Is there more to come? Best Damjan

Piaget has more techniques........

By: MTF : March 6th, 2014-06:21

Its a never ending story..... I guess Piaget has set itself up for continual improvement and additions to the repertoire because an old motto still used today is "Technique in the service of Aesthetic". When I finish reporting all the current techniques i...