Piaget was established in 1874 when Georges Edouard Piaget set up his first workshop on his family farm in the village of La Côte-aux-Fées, nestled in the mountains on the border of France and Switzerland. From here, he began laying the foundations for what would later become a unique global signature of fine watchmaking, crafting pocket watches and high-precision clock movements.
In 1911, George’s son, Timothée Piaget took over at the helm and shifted the company focus from the manufacture of watch and clock movements only to the dedicated production of fine wristwatches and in 1943, Piaget became a registered trademark and the signature adorned every creation.
Later, in 1957, George’s grandsons, Gérald and Valentin were instrumental in creating an ultra-thin hand-wound mechanical movement, the first in the history of watch production. Just three years later the company developed the world’s thinnest automatic mechanical movement in the world with a thickness of just 2.3 mm. This invention, the Calibre12P, revolutionised watchmaking.
In the 1960s they were also launching daring creations set with gemstones and jewels, attracting the attention of an international elite. The brand became a trendsetter in the world of watchmaking, receiving worldwide recognition as a creator of uniquely modern luxury watches
The 1980s marked an important moment in the Piaget story. The brand acquired the status of watchmaker jeweller, and created the most expensive men’s watch for its time at a cost of 3,5 million French francs. The watch took two years to make with 154 grams of platinum, 296 diamonds and a 3.85 carat blue diamond with an exceptional luminosity.
Today, the Swiss Richemont Group owns Piaget, and the globally celebrated luxury brand is still committed to the renowned craftsmanship and beauty that the company strived for in the early days.
Piaget timepieces are often adorned with diamonds in 18ct gold and we are thrilled to offer the Piaget Protocol, an exquisite example, in our forthcoming Fine Jewels auction in September.
JULIE FOSTER / Head of Jewels