Piaget Altiplano Skeleton High Jewellery Métiers d’Art: A Triumvirate of Craftsmanship

Piaget has unveiled the limited Altiplano Skeleton High Jewellery Métiers d’Art. This watch showcases the brand’s expertise in ultra-thin mechanics, gem-setting, and cloisonné enamelling. Cloisonné enameling, a centuries-old technique, involves crafting detailed designs by outlining patterns with thin metal wires or strips (cloisons, meaning “compartments” in French). These compartments are filled with colored enamel paste and fired to fuse the enamel to the surface, resulting in a vibrant, multi-colored finish with a smooth or subtly raised texture. The collaboration with renowned enamel artist Anita Porchet adds an artistic dimension to this creation, making it a true testament to horological artistry.

Case

The case of the Piaget Altiplano Skeleton High Jewellery Métiers d’Art measures 40 mm in diameter and is made of white gold. It features straight diamond-set lugs and a crown adorned with a blue sapphire. Despite the intricate design elements, the case maintains an ultra-thin profile of just 7 mm, slightly thicker than the classic skeleton version. The bezel is set with a gradient of baguette-cut sapphires, transitioning from dark to light, alongside brilliant-cut diamonds on the caseback. These carefully selected stones enhance the watch’s sophistication. The caseback also reveals the intricate mechanics of the watch, offering a glimpse of the skeletonised movement and the reverse side of the enamel dial.

Dial

The dial of the Piaget Altiplano Skeleton High Jewellery Métiers d’Art is a striking combination of Grand Feu cloisonné enamel and a skeletonised movement. The closed area between 1 and 9 o’clock, crafted by enamel artist Anita Porchet, features a palette of blue, green, and purple hues that flow to the edge of the bezel. This area is created using flat gold strips and multiple firings in a kiln, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship involved. The remaining space reveals the diamond-set bridges of the skeletonised movement, adding to the watch’s visual appeal. The hour and minute hands are a dark shade of blue, complementing the predominantly blue colour theme of the dial. Together, these elements create a harmonious balance between the art of enamelling and the precision of watchmaking.

Movement

At the heart of the Piaget Altiplano Skeleton High Jewellery Métiers d’Art lies the ultra-thin automatic calibre 1201D1. This movement, an optimised version of the 1200D, has a thickness of just 3 mm. It features sweeping bridges of the mainplate set with diamonds and blue sapphires, carefully selected to match the gradient stones on the bezel. Despite the delicate appearance, the movement is robust , offering a power reserve of 44 hours and a frequency of 21,600 vph (3 Hz). To reduce thickness, a micro-rotor made of platinum is employed for automatic winding. The transparent caseback allows for an unobstructed view of the intricate mechanics.

Strap

The Piaget Altiplano Skeleton High Jewellery Métiers d’Art comes with a dark blue alligator leather strap. The strap is equipped with a white gold folding clasp, ensuring secure wear.

Price & Availability

The Piaget Altiplano Skeleton High Jewellery Métiers d’Art is a limited edition of 8 pieces. Each watch is priced at 298,000 euros. These timepieces are available through authorised Piaget retailers worldwide.

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