Piaget at Belles Montres 2011: Beyond Ultra-Thin

Like the previous years, Piaget was present at the Salon Belles Montres. Sadly, and not surprising, the SIHH preview watch stayed at the Côte-aux-Fées but hopefully a wide range of watches was availble for the biggest pleasure of the visitors. As usual, a workbench was set up in the booth to allow the watchmaker to present us a quite comprehensive gathering of calibers. I had the feeling that this year, Piaget had the will to give the proof that it is far from being only a Manufacture of ultra-thin watches. Obviously, it is something we know here but it is not so obvious when you have a talk with less aware people.

Let's start with some pics of the booth:

I wished to shoot two specific watches, two PG Emperador Coussin.

The Automatic Tourbillon:

and the Moonphase:

Together:

My fav of the duet is the Moonphase. In love its big surface of the Moon, the absence of date, the beauty of its simplicity. We jump into another world with the Tourbillon. With this watch, the dial is not quiet anymore with a more busy design and the animated Tourbillon and rotor.

They share in common a similar case but you will rarely see so oppositve watches.

Let's have a look at the calibers now.

I was really amazed by the beauty of their layouts and the care of the details even in the most hidden parts.

Of course, I start with an Altiplano one... but a special one, the 838S!

You will notice the bridges finishings:

"Dial side", the same quality of work:

Smaller size, the 430P:

The new 1208P and its micro-rotor:











The 600P is one of my fav Piaget movements especially thanks to its flying Tourbillon:

Upside-down:

It shares in common with the 838S the way to decorate the bridges:

Shall I need to introduce the 608P and its Tourbillon behaviour?

My dream would be to see this movement in another case than the Polo one. OK, his case would be thick but who really cares when you are able to see such hypnotizing Tourbillon?

It is not so obvious at first glance but this movement, the 855P, powers the Emperador QP. I like the lay-out of this Perpetual Calendar movement. Don't you have the feeling to see a silhouette on the plate?

I also saw an old friend, the Frédéric Piguet 151 with these very baroque finishings:

Look at this impressive work dial side:

I would like to finish the post with 3 close-ups to make you enjoy even more the view of these movements.

I would like to thank a lot the Piaget team for the warm welcome!

Fx
This message has been edited by foversta on 2011-11-29 14:18:17