Piaget Altiplano Squelette 40 mm
The introduction of a new more generously sized 40mm Altiplano case provides an opportunity for the Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Piaget to create a worthy stage-setting for both the mechanism and the watch exterior, two worlds that it is one of the rare players to fully master in-house. Shedding a unique light on the launch of this 40 mm-diameter case, the Altiplano case welcomes a “skeletonised” or openworked movement for the very first time.
A contemporary design
The Manufacture Piaget 838P hand-wound movement is given a light, airy touch by the essentially manual openwork featuring a decidedly contemporary design. This movement, of which the master-engravers have managed to preserve the essential elements, reveals fascinating glimpses of its meticulous finishes and the magic of its intricate gear trains. Radiating from the centre of the small seconds at 10 o’clock, a hand-crafted guilloché sunburst motif lights up the entire dial with its 60 rays that extend over onto the inner bezel ring. The latter is a discreet grey that creates an elegant tone-on-tone effect with the rhodium-plated movement. The exquisite finesse of the engraving, chasing and decorative work on this Calibre 838P skeleton movement makes a perfect match for the refined elegance of the ultra-thin 18-carat white gold case. The latter’s sapphire crystal caseback enables one to admire the painstaking decorative work on the movement, thereby lending even greater depth and intensity to this mechanical sculpture. The Altiplano Squelette 40 mm comes on a black alligator leather strap, complete with 18-carat white gold pin buckle.
Technical details
18-carat white gold case
Silver-coloured flange, grey hour-markers
Manufacture Piaget 838P hand-wound skeleton movement
Functions: hour, minute, small seconds at 10 o’clock
Movement thickness: 2.7 mm
Number of jewels: 19
Approximately 65-hour power reserve
Cadence: 21,600 vph
Casing dimensions: 12’’’ (26.8mm diameter)
Finishes: circular Côtes de Genève, sunburst guilloché motif, circular-grained bottom plate, bevelled and hand-drawn bridges, blued screws
18-carat white gold pin buckle
Black alligator leather strap
Ref. G0A33115 ■
(HH)
