TEE TIME
Style and Substance Having established itself as a master of movements, gold bracelets and jewelled timepieces, Piaget underlines its expertise with a record-breaking watch, an all-new men’s collection, and various additions to its iconic Polo line, writes Evan Rast
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f you’re out to score style points this 2012, then you must read up on the watches that will take you to that next level of cool. Piaget has long been a brand upholding mastery in both watchmaking techniques and aesthetics. As a result, their timepieces are created with the perfect balance of style and substance – and this dragon year is no different. Hot from SIHH, the company presented the thinnest recorded skeleton watch, the Altiplano Ultra-Thin Skeleton Automatic, measuring 5.34mm tall, fitted with the world’s thinnest automatic movement, the 1200S, a wee 2.4mm tall. With a solid history in ultra-thin movements – now 18 in total – Piaget has constantly strengthened this highly technical segment with innovations like the Altiplano Ultra-thin Skeleton Automatic. Compared with the 1200P movement from which the 1200S is based, the new calibre’s hour-wheel bridge has been slimmed, and the micro-rotor made from 950 platinum for sturdiness. The 38mm timepiece comes in an 18k white gold case. Within the striking skeletonised dial are black dauphin hands, satin-brushed plate and bridges, and a black platinum satin-brushed micro-rotor engraved with the Piaget coat of arms. The open-worked design offers a riveting display of movement, shapes, and finishes. A ll new this year from the Black Tie collection is the Gouverneur, primarily a men’s line of dress watches. Set apart by its round case and oval dial, the Gouverneur is presented in three variations: an automatic with hours and minutes, automatic chronograph, and a tourbillon. The pink gold models come with brown alligator straps, while the white gold models have bezels set in diamonds. The Gouverneur, at 43mm, was built for understated elegance: perfect for evening events,
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but wearable in the daytime. The round and oval combo is cleverly structured, moving from the watch exterior to the dial centre. A round case, an oval dial opening, and a circle on the dial creates an unusual yet stylish symmetry. And last but not least, for the distinguished sportsman (and woman), Piaget offers the Polo. A balance between comfort and aesthetics, the Piaget Polo has undergone an evolution since it was created 33 years ago. The shape of the watch has been made softer, the numerals and hour markers have been upgraded for better readability, and the date was added to the list of indications. But what makes the Piaget polo line stand out is the perfect integration of its case, bezel and strap. It makes the watch easy to wear, and fits snugly on any wrist. In 2009, Piaget presented the edgy Piaget Polo FortyFive, which has since become one of the brand’s best-selling watches. Sportier and HKGOLFER.COM
featuring a titanium version with a rubber strap, the watch comes alive with a black and red dial with luminescent numerals. Last year, Piaget introduced the Polo FortyFive chronograph blue, a combination of deep blue counters and a black dial fitted with the calibre 880P chronograph with flyback function and 50-hour power reserve. In addition to the hours, minutes, small seconds and date, the watch also displays a second time zone (in 24-hours) at 9 o’clock. Looking to go a bit more robust in terms of complications? Go for the Polo FortyFive perpetual calendar. Now in a combination of pink gold and titanium, the rubber strap is enhanced by pink gold accents, called gadroons. The watch is fitted with the in-house automatic Calibre 855P, and as perpetual calendars do, is able to keep track of calendar irregularities until the year 2100.
Master Movements (clockwise from opposite): Piaget presented the thinnest recorded skeleton watch, the Altiplano UltraThin Skeleton Automatic, at SIHH last month; the elegant new Gouverneur from Piaget's Black Tie collection; the sporty Polo FortyFive chronograph blue HK Golfer・FEB 2012
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Perfect Polos (clockwise from top): The Polo FortyFive, now in a combination of pink gold and titanium; the ladies' model of the Piaget Polo on gold bracelets are equipped with the Calibre 690P movement; the Polo FortyFive Lady is available in a taupe grey dial in white gold case
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The company also presented the Polo FortyFive Lady, which follow in the footprints of the men’s model in a smaller diameter of 38mm. The watch is available in a taupe grey dial in white gold case, as well as a chocolate brown dial in pink gold case, with diamond-set bezels and hour markers. The straps feature the same gold accents on the rubber. Water-resistant to 50 metres, this is a watch you can count on for versatility. The Piaget Polo on gold bracelets have also been streamlined and now come in three versions: gem-set, partially gem-set, or pave, with diamonds adorning the bezel, dial, bracelet, or everything at once. A different movement powers each model. The ladies’ models are equipped with the Calibre 690P, while the men’s watches are either the Calibre 540P automatic or the Calibre 534P automatic with date. Ensuring their commitment to creativity and an ongoing pursuit of excellence in technique and aesthetics, Piaget’s watches are the answer to a stylish you this dragon year.
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