The Swiss watch and jewellery maison recently announced the introduction of several Piaget ‘Andy Warhol Watch’ models. With colourful and customisable new dials, these watches will no doubt continue to prove popular amongst the collector community and beyond.
Last October, watch connoisseurs gladly received the news that an iconic watch known for its appearance on Andy Warhol’s wrist was being reinterpreted and introduced in the form of the fittingly named ‘Andy Warhol watch‘. It drew inspiration from the historic Piaget ‘Black Tie’ watch model (originally simply named ‘15102’ upon its release in 1972), featuring a then-daringly sizeable 45 mm diameter cushion-shape case, ringed with signature gadroons. The revitalised edition featured a meticulously crafted hobnail case decoration, as well as a rare blue meteorite dial. In addition, Piaget announced that collectors could also purchase their own personalised version, with up to ten different ornamental stone dial options. Furthermore, the client could opt for either the new dauphine-style hands seen on the initial Andy Warhol Clou de Paris, or the original baton hands.
Now, at this year’s Watches and Wonders fair, Piaget has announced a set of vivid new Andy Warhol watch editions. The first of the new releases is a high jewellery interpretation, which is already stunning followers of the brand with its couture opal – Yves Piaget’s favourite stone – dial and blue baguette-cute sapphire gadroons. Following the one-of-a-kind piece in 2023’s High Jewellery collection Metaphoria, featuring a dial of petrified wood, hour markers in custom-cut emeralds, and a triple row of baguette-cut emeralds encircling the case, this latest high jewellery Andy Warhol watch makes the move from earthy browns and greens to kaleidoscopic greens and blues. Elegant tapered dauphine hands indicate the hours and minutes.
Moving away from the high jewellery edition and over to the main collection, the aforementioned blue meteorite model remains in the line. In addition, Piaget are adding a new iteration featuring a dial hewn from tiger’s eye – a silky,
richly amber ornamental stone with deep orange and brown tones, particularly
beloved in designs from the 1960s onwards. Expertly cut to enhance the stone’s
delicate golden needles, the dial is a combination of natural graphic stripes and
opalescent luster. This piece also counts amongst those that are part of a made-to-order offering, meaning once again, ten stone dials, five leather straps, and two case materials as well as the two respective hand styles can be played with.
These are not the only ornamental stone watches to join the range: Piaget are also duly adding a version with a deep green meteorite face paired with a white gold gadroon case, as well as a graphically flecked white meteorite edition alluringly matched to a warm rose-gold case.
Powering the latest editions is the same in-house 501P1 manufacture self-winding movement as seen in last year’s edition. This self-winding movement, which measures a mere 3.6 mm in height, is well-regarded in the industry thanks to its precision and reliability. It beats at a frequency of 4 Hz, while offering a 40-hour power reserve. As one would expect, the calibre beneath the caseback also exhibits beautiful traditional finishing, including circular Côtes de Genève, a circular-grained mainplate, bevelled bridges, and blued screws on the bridges.
While the prices of these watches may vary, we can expect the main collection timepieces to maintain a similar price to its predecessor, at 56,000 euros.
