Piaget

Piaget SA is a Swiss luxury watchmakers and jewellers, founded in 1874 by Georges Piaget in the village of La Côte-aux-Fées. The company belongs to the Swiss Richemont group, specialists in the luxury goods industry. The company was founded as a manufacturer of watch movements but began marketing its own line of prestigious watches in the 20th century.

Piaget own the largest jewellery workshop in Geneva. Every stone here is cut, adjusted and set by hand. The same attention to detail characterises the selection of diamonds and precious stones. The diamonds, for example, meet the highest standards of colour (D to G) and clarity (IF to VVS.) The diamonds are tested according to stringent in-house guidelines based on their colour, size, clarity and carat. Piaget are members of the "Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices" and the "Kimberley Process Certification Scheme," which guarantees that diamonds do not originate from an area of conflict.

A new generation of self-winding mechanical movements was launched in 2006. The 800P, with hours, minutes, central seconds hands and large date display, is equipped with two barrels, guaranteeing a power reserve of 72 hours. This 12-ligne calibre, beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 hertz) and its timing is ensured by a screw-regulated balance. The 850P version displays small seconds and a second time zone on two sub-dials. A day/night indicator synchronised with the central time zone completes the display.

Piaget continue the tradition of miniature painting thanks to a traditional technique. The enameller begins by crushing and cleaning raw enamels to obtain a very fine powder, which is then mixed with essential oils to achieve the colour palette. The enamel is applied with a brush in successive fine layers, each of which is oven-fired at temperatures exceeding 800 °C. Each enamelled piece requires nearly twenty firings in the oven. The enamel and its colours are then set forever.