Piaget

SIHH 2011: Piaget launches it first Ultra-Thin Automatic Tourbillon watch - Live Photos

 

PuristSPro is thrilled to bring you live photos of the new Piaget Emperador Coussin Tourbillon Automatic Ultra-Thin that we have kept under wraps to respect the official embargo.

Previously, the Press Release was posted: click here

There was a moment of stunned silence when the Piaget team revealed the SIHH 2011 novelty to hardened journalists and PuristS collector.

 

Why the Stunned Silence?

Was it the audacity of the aesthetic or technique, I wondered?  Or was it the fact that the usually conservative Piaget was actually 'cock-a-hoop' about their achievement? 

This is a company that usually hides it's fine movements under a closed caseback.  Even the exquisitely chased and engraved 9P movement (see below) was unseen by the owner of the special 1990s commemorative watch that contained it.

Engraved 9P movement seen only by the watchmaker servicing the watch

 

Apart from the sheer technical achievement of the thinnest automatic tourbillon wristwatch in the world, we were flabbergasted by the exuberant multi-level dial and showy winding rotor on the dialside.

Whilst the display of tourbillon cage is now 'de rigueur' in contemporary haute horlogerie, the exhibitionist rotor stopped us in our tracks. Although it is an understandable design motif, for the rotor balances the tourbillon cage on the diammetric, some commentators observed that "elegance is usuallly understated".

 

There are still many features of the Piaget elegance that are evident; from the subtle curves of the case and lugs to the dual surface finishing (satin and glossy) of the case.

The cushion shaped case called for a shaped movement and Piaget delivered a fine one, rather than taking the easier path of stuffing a round movement into a square case.

 

The crown is proportioned well and has just enough 'grip' provided for by the knurled edge, but not so much that it resembles a buzz saw

Even the crown displayed dual-textured finishing.

 

The power reserve indicator is discretely on the case back.

 

 

Compared with PIAGET Upstream for size

 

As there will only be 10 lucky (and wealthy) connoisseurs of each metal colour for the inaugural editions, this stunning watch will be rarely seen on-the-wrist.

No doubt, the launch editions will be sold out, especially in China and Asia. The rotor and tourbillon cage subtly form the lucky symbol '8' on the dial.

 

I feel very privileged on behalf of PuristS to actually wear one........... for but a fleeting moment in Time.

What do you think of it?

Regards,
MTF

This message has been edited by MTF on 2011-01-15 22:06:16 This message has been edited by dxboon on 2011-01-21 00:00:31

My jealousy knows no bounds, MTF!  I would love to wear one of these beauties on my wrist!  You are so lucky to have experienced such a unique and audacious piece in the metal.  Piaget completely took me by surprise with this one.  I love the modern dial, which highlights both the aesthetics and mechanics of the watch.

Thanks so much for snapping these photos!

Cheers,
Daos

Daos, I just read your comment after posting mine and it seems like we're on exactly the same page . I bet we'd be two of the ten owners if we could purchase one right away .

...I'd be one of the ten!

LOL!
Daos

For the rose gold piece:  I kept muttering, "One of 10.  S-o-o-o lucky, me!"

 

MTF

I want this watch very, very bad. I can't remember the last time that a watch came 'out of the blue' like this and completely won me over . Leaves one speechless by the sheer beauty of it. I certainly hope that I'll get a chance to see it in real life .

Best,

Filip

What do you like about it that surprised you?

I'm sure Piaget would like to know as they moved outside their comfort zone with the flashy rotor dialside.

 

Regards,

MTF

 

I was surprised simply because I did not follow Piaget closely before and didn't feel a particularly strong affection to the timepieces that I saw, even with the Emperador Coussin which was always the best looking range of theirs for me (due to the case design) I found one or two watches attractive, but certainly not mind-bending gorgeous.

With this watch however they've really completely took me by surprise as they have combined what was by far the best aspect of their watches previously - the case shape of the Emperador Coussin with a state of the art dial design that simply shatters conventional wisdom and rules. I definitely love and support that kind of innovative, avant-garde thinking so I was instantly enamored. The dial itself is indisputably a work of art, the infinity symbol shaped rotor and tourbillon display is so organic and beautiful to the eye (exquisitely finished needless to say) and the best aspect of it personally is the cage like appearance of the dial itself that gives you a layered look deep into the core of the watch. That feature in particular, and the style in which it is accomplished (like the sun's rays) is astonishing, it really speaks to me deeply emotionally. Hope that offers a good enough description of why I found the watch so bloody irresistible .

Best,

Filip

filip,

Yes - that explanation "will do". 

It's much better than the last two words, which would also be appropriate if I asked for a concise precis!

Regards,

MTF

now if they could manufacture an Emperador Coussin with this style of 'cage' dial without the expensive tourbillon complication and in a plain steel or titanium case I will come running into their nearest store with the money in hand .

Filip

BTW - how much does this watch retail for? (feel free to send me a PM)

Thx for posting the pics.

Just one question - why is Yan there? Has he been 'transferred' from VC to Piaget?

Best

Sam

That was Yann's twin brother, Thomas. 

You may be seeing more of Thomas as his regional responsibilities change soon..........

When I saw the new Piaget automatic tourbillon, I thought of the few owners who could fit the target profile.  You were one of my short list!

I'm undecided about the glass dial, which mimics a fenestrated dial.

What is lovely to you?

 

Regards,

MTF

And they are in the same line of business, working for the same group!

Wonder if he also is a single-handicap golfer like Yann!

The glass dial looks fabulous to me.

HAGWE
Sam

The WG version kills me, what a SPECIAL timepiece! The movement and dial look gorgeous, it belongs to the league of SPECIAL timepieces that we can count with the fingers of a hand.

Bravo PIAGET, good job. I love what they are doing with those ULTRA thin movements. They amazed me last year with the new automatic movement, and with this one they go a step forward definitely.

Let's wait to see it live to give it the final verdict Hope to not be disappointed because of the size. It looks great on your wrist.

Thank you.

Vte

I usually cap my round watch diameter at 42mm and prefer 40mm but the secret must be:

1) curved cushion shape that allows a larger watch to sit snugly evenon the smaller wrist.

2) ultra-thin case is enhanced by the larger diameter; it looks even thinner than the 10.4mm.

 

Regards,

MTF

Thanks for this peak at the new Piaget, MTF.  I am drooling over it!

Best,

CaliforniaJed

jed,

We have overlapping tastes in some of our watch brands.....

 

Regards,

MTF

I mean, aesthetically, of course.

Horologically, nothing else to say than WOW, a big, huge WOW.

Aaah, yes, maybe congratulations to Piaget.

No, the only thing which makes me doubt is the very strong aesthetics. It may be a pro, but also a con.

To be seen in the flesh, and I will try to, in Geneva.

Best and thanks for these excellent pictures, MTF.

Nicolas.

Sighhhhhhhhhhhh. I should be so lucky.

I didn't really appreciate from the teaser that the rotor and tourbillon cage subtly form the lucky symbol '8' on the dial. Is this particularly aimed at the asian market? Or is it just coincidental and asian buyers will be particularly enchanted?

By the way, I recently contacted Piaget via their website to ask for a catalogue. It was in my mailbox within 2 days. That is truly good service.

Regards,
Richard.

also nothing is coincidental about China luxury market these days.

Regards,

MTF

A distinct shift away from their very conservative aesthetics which I find interesting.

We have RD and Zenith moving towards more conservative designs and Piaget moving in the opposite direction.

I like it.

Mike

Thanks for the pictures and post!

Best regards,

Baxter

No message body

. . . with a nominally round case imposed over a nominally square dial, which in turn is divided by thirds, each section displaying circular motion of varying rates and predictability.  The æsthetic effect in these static photos is appealing, but I wonder how the juxtaposition of arbitrary and regular motion on the dial affects the dynamic presentation. 

Definitely a watch designed with formal wear in mind; a sleeve tailored to expose the hour and minutes subdial along with the tourbillon need only be drawn back a touch to reveal the swinging micro-rotor. 

What I appreciate most is that Piaget has developed a complex design that retains an essential level of classicism, rather than go for the jugular with an outre flourish.  Sensibility does not have to be sacrificed for intrigue.

Cordially, Art    

... into their mechanical soul. And this Piaget certainly does that with style. This is very important because we have so many examples where dial cutouts or windows look gauche. I am very impressed with this Piaget as well.

Andrew

Many thanks for posting this.

Got to see the real watch to pass comment.

Regards

Ling

ling,

Your tastes are known.

But this is not a skeletonised watch...strictly.  The dial is laser-etched vitreous (glass?) material to give the sun-ray burst pattern and allow sight of the movement.  It is not even a fenestrated dial like some brands do. The glass dial is solid.

The movement is not skeletonised but pars of the tourbilon are 'air-y' to allow light through.

Regards,

MTF

 

Stunning. Kudos to Piaget!

Jon