In a return to what the sumptuous luxury Swiss watch and jewellery maison does best, Piaget has once again merged art and horology with the release of the Andy Warhol Clou de Paris watch. While the manufacture is also respected for its remarkable ultra-thin watches and in-house production, Piaget is known above all for its artistic heritage. Piaget’s latest design is now marking the beginning of a new chapter for a particularly renowned timepiece, solidifying its status as both a cultural artifact and a cult collector favourite. More than just a watch, the release represents a union of creativity, innovation, and the enduring legacy of one of the 20th century’s most iconic artists: Andy Warhol.
Introduced in its original form back in 1972 and produced for less than a decade before its revival in 2014, this new timepiece is synonymous with the artist and cultural icon, Andy Warhol (1928 to 1987). A key member of the so-called Piaget Society, Andy Warhol fostered a close relationship with Yves Piaget and owned no less than seven Piaget watches. The watch that Warhol is most associated with, however, is the ‘Black Tie’ watch. With its daringly sizeable 45 mm-diameter cushion-shape case, ringed with signature gadroons, the design has slowly but surely become a collector reference. Thanks to an official new collaboration with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Piaget and the foundation have given the watch a new name as they bring it in to the modern age: the Andy Warhol watch.
Embracing Piaget’s affinity to craftsmanship and use of unusual shapes and materials, the Andy Warhol Clou de Paris features a meticulously crafted hobnail design that has become one of the most recognisable elements of Piaget’s DNA. It took the maison’s Ateliers de l’Extraordinaire no less than ten months to perfect the Clou de Paris finish. This decorative technique, which incorporates shimmering small, pyramid-like squares, is beautifully hand-finished on the watch’s cushion-shaped case, a challenge in itself. The 45 mm white-gold case exudes elegance and refinement, while maintaining the daring essence Warhol himself would have appreciated.
The dial, featuring a rare blue meteorite, adds a cosmic element as well as a typically quirky and artistic touch to the design. The deep blue hue of the meteorite complements the luxurious white gold case, while matching dauphine-style hands and elegant indices subtly indicate the time. The watch is equipped with a dark blue alligator leather strap, fastened by a white gold ardillon buckle, again blending modern style with vintage-inspired craftsmanship.
This piece is only the start – collectors may request to create their own iterations through Piaget’s ‘Made to Order’ personalisation service. This service dates back to Piaget’s first Geneva boutique in 1959, having been more recently reintroduced under the ‘Infinitely Personal’ concept. For the new Andy Warhol watch, Piaget clients will be offered an array of customisation options, starting with up to ten different ornamental stone dials, alongside the meteorite dial. Among the new possibilities is falcon eye (also known as ‘blue tiger’s eye), which joins existing Piaget signatures that have long proved popular with clients, or classics such as turquoise and malachite. In addition, the client can opt for either the new dauphine-style hands seen on the initial Andy Warhol Clou de Paris, or the original batons. The collector may then peruse five coloured leather straps to pair with their new watch. Last but not least, the case is available in either white or rose gold, while offering water-resistance to 3 ATM.
Powering the Andy Warhol Clou de Paris is the in-house calibre 501P1. This self-winding is well-regarded 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.
For Piaget and collectors alike, this watch is more than just a timepiece; it’s a bridge between the past and present, between art and craftsmanship. As Michael Dayton Hermann of the Andy Warhol Foundation aptly put it, the new watch represents an “ethos as timeless, iconic, and singular as its namesake.” Warhol’s lasting influence on art, fashion, and popular culture will no doubt find a fitting home amongst collectors, art enthusiasts, and lovers of fine watchmaking alike.
Price: 65,000 euros (German RRP)
