Introducing – Piaget Altiplano 60th Anniversary Pocket Watch

At the SIHH 2017, Piaget celebrated the 60th anniversary of its most emblematic collection, a watch which fully symbolises the brand and which is instantly recognizable: the Altiplano. Born in 1957, the ultra-thin watch with so many thinness records is now a true icon. Following the celebrations, Piaget pulled out an unexpected twist on the collection, by presenting the Altiplano 60th Anniversary Pocket Watch… And what an elegant, slightly “out of the box” proposition it is.

There’s nothing usual about creating a pocket watch, especially if you have in mind to give it a certain modernity. Few are the manufactures that are still producing such timing instruments these days, and in fact, even fewer are those who have a “modernly-shaped” pocket watch in their collection. So launching a pocket watch in the current state of the industry would be challenging… But Piaget decided that this concept could fit the Altiplano collection. However, it’s not the first time that the Piaget Altiplano has been shaped to be worn in a pocket, as there have been a few versions, including a squared one launched for the 50th anniversary (in 2007). Yet, Altiplano pocket watches remain rare birds.

This year though, Piaget perfectly have integrated the Altiplano concept into a pocket watch. All the iconic elements of the model are present, and the overall idea that was applied on the blue 60th Anniversary models (launched in December 2016) can be found here. Same overall shape, same blue dial, same movement – ultra-thin and automatic – same hands, same hair cross dial… But no strap, no lugs and a slightly larger diameter, something that is allowed for a pocket watch. For the rest, this Altiplano 60th Anniversary Pocket Watch is, without doubt, an Altiplano, with a classic dandy style.

This version of the Altiplano is fitted in an 18k white gold case, with a 50mm diameter and an approximate thickness of 7mm. It retains all the design codes of the collection, with the traditional slenderness of the 1950s – flat and polished bezel, rather sharp edges. If the watch is intended to be worn in the pocket, with its gold buckle and a blue calfskin string and pouch, it can also be transformed into a table clock when placed in the centre of an elegant blue marquetry stand, punctuated by elongated markers. The straw marquetry on the circular frame is the result of craftsmanship similar to wood marquetry. With the greatest skill, the artisan selects the pieces of straw based on to their colour shade.

The dial of the Piaget Altiplano 60th Anniversary Pocket Watch echoes the one found on the blue 60th Anniversary models. It features the same rich colour, with a sunburst pattern and sleek baton markers and hands (both crafted in gold) and a thin, light blue cross in the centre to animate this overall very clean dial. Inside the case is the calibre 1200P, the ultra-thin self-winding mechanical movement at just 2.35mm thin. It is visible through the sapphire caseback, showing its 22k blackened micro-rotor, circular Geneva stripes, bevelled bridges, circular-grained main-plate and blued screws. Even if this movement is pretty nice, the choice of an automatic movement is debatable, considering we are talking about a pocket watch/desk clock… There won’t be many movements to activate the micro-rotor.

The Piaget Altiplano 60th Anniversary Pocket Watch will be produced in only 26 pieces, all in white gold with a blue dial. Price to be confirmed. More details on piaget.com.

Technical Specifications – Piaget Altiplano 60th Anniversary Pocket Watch

• Case: 50mm diameter x approx. 7mm thickness – 18k white gold, polished – sapphire crystal on both faces
• Movement: Piaget Calibre 1200p, in-house – automatic via micro-rotor – 3Hz frequency – 44h power reserve – 25 jewels – 2.35mm thick – hours and minutes
• Additional: Blue calfskin leather string and pouch with a 18K white gold buckle – Blue straw marquetry desk stand
• Reference: G0A42108
• Availability: 26 pieces