One other Friday, one other High 5! After final week’s public sale article, it’s time for one thing completely different. For this text, we’ve chosen 5 gorgeous classic Piaget watches that present the model’s brilliance in the case of trendy bracelet watches. We picked 5 classic gold fashions from the Nineteen Seventies and ‘80s that immediately increase your baller standing. So be ready to see some correct old-school bling. However don’t suppose that these watches don’t have horological advantage. A few of them include good ultra-slim mechanical actions. It’s time to seek out out extra.
This week’s High 5 is a typical love-it-or-hate-it record. You’ll both perceive the attraction, or you’ll hate these timepieces. The opinions throughout the Fratello staff are additionally blended. Robert-Jan, Laurits, and yours really love an excellent gold watch that mimics a bracelet, whereas others would relatively not take a look at such a factor. Consequently, this record may spark fairly a bit of debate. However let’s not neglect that Piaget created some tremendous slim mechanical actions for a number of the watches on this record. So it’s not simply in regards to the seems to be. That mentioned, to be honest, the seems to be are what most of us will choose these watches on. Now, with out additional ado, let’s get into our record of 5 gold Piaget marvels of favor that may make you a real baller, generally for remarkably pleasant costs!
Picture: Watch Brothers
Piaget Polo ref. 7131
We’ll kick issues off with the unique Piaget Polo, not the round-shaped mannequin that was just lately reintroduced however the sq. one. The Piaget Polo ref. 7131 debuted in 1979 and stayed in manufacturing till 1990. Whereas the sq. model may not be as common as its spherical counterpart, it’s the higher bracelet watch because of its form.
Picture: Watch Brothers
The watch is a modest 25mm broad, however don’t be fooled. As it’s strong 18K gold, it’ll stand out after getting it in your wrist. The watch is outlined by its stylish satin end with the now-characteristic polished horizontal gadroons.
Picture: Watch Brothers
As a lot of you’ll know, many of the Piaget Polo watches from this period housed quartz actions. The model created a number of automated variations of the sq. mannequin (ref. 5131), however they’re scarce. People who pop up at auctions promote for ridiculous costs as they’ve grow to be true collectors’ items. Piaget used its quartz 7P caliber for the ref. 7131.
Picture: Watch Brothers
With a thickness of simply 3.1mm, it was the thinnest quartz motion on the earth on the time. The motion might be operated with a “hidden” crown on the case again. Nonetheless, solely a 12 months after the introduction of the 7P caliber, Piaget up to date the Polo with the 8P. This quartz motion was even slimmer, coming in at simply 1.95mm thick.
Picture: Watch Brothers
Low manufacturing numbers
Whereas the round-shaped Polo is the extra common of the 2, the sq. mannequin is a greater manifestation of the “bracelet watch” idea. Initially, the sq. mannequin was an even bigger industrial success, however that modified over time. Within the manufacturing run of the 2 Polo fashions, Piaget produced an estimated 2,000–3,000 items of the sq. mannequin and 4,000–6,000 of the spherical one. Contemplating that spanned 11 years, these numbers are fairly low certainly.
Picture: Watch Brothers
Of the whole manufacturing, 70% of the items have been yellow gold, 20% have been a mixture of yellow and white gold, and solely 10% have been white gold. Discovering a sq. Polo ref. 7131 is feasible, with costs beginning at roughly €15K and shifting as much as €20K. That makes this trendy chunk of gold the costliest watch on this record.
Picture: Contact of Fashionable
Piaget ref. 935
Subsequent up is the Piaget ref. 935. It’s one other a type of sensible bracelet watches that appears gorgeous. This reference got here in a number of variations in yellow gold and white gold. The watch oozes Nineteen Seventies fashion with its all-yellow-gold presence outlined by its bark-like texture. The detailing on the watch is superb.
Picture: Contact of Fashionable
Apart from the feel, you will notice hour markers across the crystal that appear like they’re carved out of gold. The watch weighs a considerable however cheap 93.4 grams, is 25mm broad, and homes the manual-winding ultra-thin Piaget caliber 9P with a 35-hour energy reserve. In fact, it additionally seems to be completely gorgeous on the wrist.
Picture: Christie’s
As I mentioned, there are a number of variations of this reference, every with a unique suffix. The one in yellow gold with the bark-like texture is ref. 935 A6. However Piaget additionally created a white gold model with a hobnail sample, ref. 935 C4. This model was auctioned by Christie’s in 2022.
As you may see, the Clous de Paris texture can also be seen on the dial. Wanting again on the ref. 935 A6, you too can see that the bark-like texture continues on the dial. That stage of element makes these watches a pleasure to behold. On prime of that, the ultra-thin profile makes them simple to put on. The one actual level of debate is whether or not you recognize the fashion. Discovering one might also pose a slight drawback. At present, we will’t discover any on the market on-line, so it’s tough to estimate costs.
Picture: Mozeris Wonderful Antiques
Piaget ref. 12461
The Piaget ref. 12461 takes fashion to a different stage! I fully perceive if individuals discover this piece excessive. However as our Fratello Store supervisor Laurits put it, “What do you imply, excessive? It’s precisely on the highest!” If you’re on the lookout for baller factors, the ref. 12461 is the one Piaget for you. It’s much less of a bracelet watch than the earlier two. Nonetheless, whereas it’s a slight departure from the idea, the fashion and detailing of this timepiece are exceptional. It was launched within the late Sixties and represented the model’s top-of-the-line luxurious watches.
Picture: Mozeris Wonderful Antiques
The watch was product of white or yellow gold and had a 33mm × 30mm tonneau-shaped case. As you may see, the case and brick bracelet function a ridiculous quantity of element and an impressive texture. One other standout factor is the sq. dial, which contrasts with the properly flowing shapes of the case and the bracelet. This particular model within the footage includes a sensible tiger eye dial that fits the watch completely.
Picture: Basic 55
The legendary Piaget 12P motion
However this was not the one model the model produced. As soon as once more, Piaget provided the watch in white gold with the identical texture. Clients might even purchase this watch with an all-hobnail sample. The white gold model was additionally accessible with a shocking lapis lazuli dial. Piaget geared up these watches with the well-known 12P caliber. This ultra-thin micro-rotor motion was introduced in 1960 and measures simply 2.3mm thick. It operates at a 19,800vph frequency and has 40 hours of energy reserve. It’s a fantastic motion that’s the good cherry on prime (or inside) of this distinctive watch, which matches for roughly €8K–10K. It’s certainly an acquired style, however we find it irresistible!
Picture: Keystone Watches
Piaget Black Tie Emperador ref. 9352
Our subsequent choose is at the least as placing because the earlier one, nevertheless it adheres extra strictly to the idea of bracelet watches, like the primary two picks on this record. The Piaget Black Tie Emperador ref. 9352 stands out instantly as a result of it combines an oblong 23mm-wide case with a “Basketweave” gold bracelet. Mixed with the black onyx dial like within the picture above, this raises the wearer’s baller standing to the max.
Picture: Analog:Shift
Piaget provided the watch with a number of dials, together with lapis lazuli and gold variations. Moreover, some dials have hour markers in quite a lot of kinds, whereas others should not have any markers in any respect. I desire the variations with out markers or very small, ornamental ones, like within the two watches you see right here.
Picture: Analog:Shift
Contained in the watch, you will see the hand-wound Piaget 9P caliber used all through its manufacturing interval throughout the Sixties and Nineteen Seventies. The ultra-thin motion operates at 19,800vph and has a 35-hour energy reserve. The watch was additionally produced in white gold with a number of completely different dials.
Picture: Analog:Shift
However I believe this fashion works finest in yellow gold, particularly with the woven bracelet. It creates most impression, and isn’t that what it’s all about? Anticipate asking costs between €7,500 and €8K for certainly one of these gorgeous items.
Picture: Analog:Shift
Piaget ref. 9131
We’ll shut out this record with the gorgeous Piaget ref. 9131. Particularly, reference 9131 C4 is my favourite. It combines a yellow gold case and bracelet with a tremendous hobnail sample, giving it a definite and gorgeous aesthetic. As a fan of black onyx dials in gold circumstances, it’s no shock that that is my prime choose.
Picture: Analog:Shift
Piaget additionally made this 23mm watch with a gold dial and extra conventional markers, and that additionally seems to be gorgeous. It’s fascinating to see the hobnail sample on all of the watch’s surfaces, together with the brick bracelet and the clasp.
Picture: Wind Classic
You will note ref. 9131 with sword-style arms and dauphine arms, lapis lazuli dials, black onyx dials, and gold dials, both plain or with a hobnail sample. The variations are practically countless. As well as, there are completely different executions with different textured patterns within the gold. There’s even a model with no sample in white gold. That final variation places an additional visible emphasis on the brick bracelet and creates a really clear aesthetic with the brushed white gold case.
Picture: Analog:Shift
Inside these watches, Piaget used its 9P motion, which additionally powered the ref. 935. For me, the ref. 9131 is the final word bracelet watch that Piaget created. It was in manufacturing from the early Sixties to the Nineteen Eighties, exhibiting its relevance within the assortment. Anticipate to see asking costs beginning simply north of €10K and shifting up relying on the variation of this gorgeous timepiece.
Picture: Contact of Fashionable
Closing ideas on the highest 5 Piaget bracelet watches
There you’ve gotten it — our favourite Piaget bracelet watches in no specific order. If you’re fascinated with these, you will see numerous variations indicated by the suffix following the reference quantity. That is only a small collection of the numerous references and executions that the model produced throughout the Sixties, ’70s, and ’80s. Whereas we perceive these aren’t your customary timepieces, it’s enjoyable to discover Piaget’s historical past and uncover what makes the model distinctive. A giant a part of it’s the capability to bridge the hole between watches and jewellery. These 5 picks are the right proof of that. However we’re curious to listen to your opinion on these flashy timepieces. Tell us within the feedback part, and we’ll see you subsequent week for an additional installment on this sequence!
Featured picture: Keystone Watches
