Piaget Altiplano Chinese Zodiac Snake

Kong · 2013-01-16T06:35:25Z

Discover the Piaget Altiplano 38mm Chinese Zodiac Snake, a limited edition with cloisonné enamel and diamond-set bezel, powered by Calibre 430P.

In the honour of the Year of the Snake, Piaget proudly presents the Altiplano 38mm enamel watch inspired by the Snake of the traditional Chinese Zodiac signs. With the creation of this exceptional timepiece, having an equal emphasis on aesthetics and technique excellence, Piaget has once again presented itself as “Master Watch-maker and Jeweller”.

Taking full advantage of the spacious dial of the Altiplano model, the Snake is vividly brought to life by the exquisite cloisonné enameling technique. The cloisonné enameling technique consists of creating cavities to form a motif. The contour of the motif is first marked out with silver or gold strips of wire. Since Piaget’s main concern is to provide exceptional quality, the hollows are made exclusively from gold wire in this technique. Once the motif has been reproduced, the wire strips are fixed to the gold base with a special glue called “tragacanth gum” which will disappear during the firing. The partitions thus mark out a certain number of hollows corresponding to the various colour zones. The enamel is then placed in each of the hollows and fired. This operation is repeated several times in order to heighten the intensity of the colour and to fill all the cavities. After the last firing, the piece is lapped and glazed to create the final effect.

“The Snake heeds the lessons of times. It advances with steady pace and a firm foundation.”

The beautifully crafted dial is further accentuated by a bezel set with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds. It is enhanced by a black alligator leather strap complete with a white gold pin buckle. At its heart beats a particularly refined mechanism: ultra-thin mechanical hand-wound Manufacture Piaget Calibre 430P. Designed, developed and produced by the Manufacture de Haute Horologerie Piaget, this mechanical hand-wound movement is one of the slimmest in its category, at just 2.1 mm thick, and drives an understated display of the hours and minutes. Like all movements emerging from the Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Piaget, Calibre 430P is exquisitely finished, including with bridges that are bevelled and adorned with circular Côtes de Genève, a circular-grained mainplate and traditional blued screws.

This Piaget Altiplano Chinese Zodiac Snake model with gem-set bezel is also available in a pink gold version. Each of the two models is issued in a limited and numbered edition of 38 pieces.

Piaget continues the contribution to the preservation of the artistic crafts that are so closely linked to the spirit of Fine Watchmaking. By passionately cultivating this unique heritage and carefully incorporating it within its creation, it saves it from neglect and restores these all but extinct arts to their rightful stature. This wholehearted commitment explains why the Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Piaget currently displays such exemplary mastery in the art of enamelling.

Piaget Altiplano 38 mm
18K white gold case set with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.7ct)
Grand Feu enamel dial representing a snake following the cloisonné technique
Manufacture Piaget 430P ultra-thin mechanical hand-wound movement
Functions: hour, minute
Movement thickness: 2.1 mm
Casing dimension: 9’’’ (20.5 mm)
Number of jewels: 18
Frequency: 21,600 vph
Approximately 40-hour power reserve
Finishing: circular Côtes de Genève, circular-grained mainplate and bridges, bevelled bridges, blued screws on bridges
18K white gold pin buckle on a black alligator leather strap

Limited and numbered edition of 38 pieces
Ref. G0A37540

Press Release

This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2013-01-16 08:08:00

The Discussion

small-luxury-world

Jan 16, 2013

look forward to see it next week. Just one question: What stands AP (signature on the dial) for? Thanks! Oliver

Kong

Jan 16, 2013

Anita Pochet ... MichaelC should be asking :-) Look forward to your live pics. Kong

MTF

Jan 16, 2013

Ms A nita P orchet -- independent enameller. MTF

small-luxury-world

Jan 17, 2013

but does she always put her initials on the dial - on each dial for each brand ...? Thanks! Oliver

small-luxury-world

Jan 17, 2013

but never saw her initials on a dial :-) Thanks! Oliver

Kong

Jan 17, 2013

only her initials .... Kong

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Piaget Altiplano Chinese Zodiac Snake

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