When presented the first time in 1957 the Altiplano was ahead of time. Let´s look back and discover the anniversary collection. Bonjour Madame Chabi Nouri!

Just before I start I want to let you know that today Ms Chabi Nouri was officially announced to be the next CEO of Piaget. I informed you two days ago that this will happen very soon.

Bonjour Madame Chabi Nouri!

Piaget Altiplano

Valentin Piaget literally revolutionized the watchmaking world in the year 1957.

Gérald Piaget and Valentin Piaget in front of the Piaget Manufacture in La Côte-aux-Fées in the 1950’s

His ultra-thin “9P” manual-winding movement presented at the Mustermesse Basel caught a lot of attention. Being just 2 mm thick, the “9P” was welcomed for the elegance of its profile and its, as well as for its performance and its reliability. Above all, it enabled a broader 20.5 mm dial opening, heralding a new watchmaking aesthetic, while facilitating the construction of a remarkably slim timepiece.

Piaget Manufacture 9P ultra-thin hand-wound movement, launched in 1957. Movement thickness: 2 mm. Casing dimensions: 9’’’ (ø 20.5 mm)

Only three years later, in 1960, the founder’s grandson scored another success with the “12P”, an ultra-thin self-winding measuring just 2.3 mm. This previously unthinkable degree of thinness was made possible by the use of the 24-carat-gold off-centred micro-rotor, ensuring optimal barrel-spring winding efficiency.

Piaget Manufacture 12P ultra-thin self-winding movement, launched in 1960. Manufacture Piaget ultra-thin mechanical self-winding movement Movement thickness: 2.3 mm. Casing dimensions: 12’’’ ½ (ø 28.1mm) — Piaget Manufacture 12P ultra-thin self-winding movement, launched in 1960. Manufacture Piaget ultra-thin mechanical self-winding movement. Movement thickness: 2.3 mm. Casing dimensions: 12’’’ ½ (ø 28.1mm)

Presented and advertised as “the watch of the international elite”, the ultra-thin Piaget Altiplano has evolved over the decades in perfect sync with the times. When pop culture reigned supreme, dials turned colorful with hard ruby, tiger’s eye, lapis lazuli, coral, malachite, onyx and jade stones. White and yellow case bezels and lugs were adorned with sophisticated “Clous de Paris” hobnail guilloché patterns or set with diamonds. Whether for 1970s businessmen in double-breasted suits flying to New York on Concorde; or for neo-dandies shunning any ostentation, the ultra-thin Piaget watch remained an inseparable companion.

Alain Delon wears a Piaget ultra-thin watch at the premiere of “Paris brule t’il?”. Paris, 1966

Piaget Ultra-thin watch that formerly belonged to Alain Delon. 1963 White gold. Piaget Manufacture 12P ultra-thin self-winding movement, 2.3mm Ref. 12103 — Piaget Ultra-thin watch that formerly belonged to Alain Delon. 1963
White gold. Piaget Manufacture 12P ultra-thin self-winding movement, 2.3mm Ref. 12103

Piaget Aliplano 60th Anniversary Collection

“The Altiplano is celebrating its anniversary with its characteristic supreme elegance. Stemming from an ongoing dialogue between horological tradition and the new millennium, the anniversary collection opens up whole new horizons inspiring a lifestyle based on essential values. Among these, elegance released from any superficiality remains a benchmark, and absolute distinction a guiding principle”, said Piaget.

The dials with their graded shades radiate an original and refreshing mood entirely attuned to the codes of contemporary elegance. Feminine wrists are thus lit up by a vivid pink subtly transitioning from a more intense to a softer shade, magnificently framed by a case in polished white gold (G0A42109)

360-piece limited edition

or diamond-set white gold (G0A42100)

360-piece limited edition

The two 34 mm-diameter watches are powered by the Calibre “430P” (2.1 mm thick), a worthy heir to the hand-wound Piaget “9P” movement.

Piaget also showed a trio of Altiplano 40mm models: Beautifully accentuated by a white gold case and hour-markers, slate grey takes on various nuances (G0A42050)

260-piece limited edition

Midnight blue strikes a beautiful contrast with pink gold and flirts with electric blue (G0A42051)

260-piece limited edition

while pine green slides towards emerald green (G0A42052) surrounded by a glowing yellow gold case

260-piece limited edition

To fit inside this 40 mm case, Piaget has developed the Calibre “1203P”. Inspired by Calibre “1205P” – presented in 2013 as the natural heir to the “12P” –, this new self-winding movement picks up the essential elements of time read-off while adding the date.

The historical inscription “Piaget Automatique” – which appeared on the very first ultra-thin timepieces by the Maison – sets the signature touch to the new trio and honours the line’s rich history.

Piaget Aliplano 60th Anniversary Collection

The two models – one manual-winding and the other self-winding – are inspired by the aesthetic characteristics of the first ultra-thin Piaget watches: an historical logo, applied gold hour-markers and a central cross, in tribute to the origins of the line. Each features a sunburst dial in the historical Piaget blue, a deep shade somewhere between cobalt and midnight blue.

The 43 mm diameter (360-piece limited edition) is equipped with the Calibre “1200P” (2.35 mm thin). It was presented in 2010 for the 50th anniversary of the legendary “12P”.

Piaget Aliplano 60th Anniversary Collection Altiplano - 43mm — Piaget Aliplano 60th Anniversary Collection
Altiplano – 43mm

The new Piaget Altiplano 38 mm-diameter model (460-piece limited edition) is powered by the manual-winding Calibre “430P” (2.1 mm thick). Developed, produced and decorated by Piaget, this movement has established itself as a worthy heir to the “9P”.