The Piaget watch has a long and prestigious history in the world of watchmaking. After forming in Switzerland, Piaget watches became known around the world for their craftsmanship and elegance.
Over 100 years since going into business, Piaget stands alongside the biggest brands in watchmaking for quality. But how much do we really know about Piaget, and which are the best collections from the Swiss watchmaker?
Let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know about Piaget.
History Of Piaget Watches
Piaget was founded in 1874 by George-Edouard Piaget when he was only 19 years old. The then-soon-to-be legendary watchmaker lived by the motto, “Always do better than necessary”. With that motto, Piaget soon established itself as one of the most revered and famed watchmakers in Switzerland.
Piaget first focused on making watch parts before moving onto fully-fledged timepieces in the 1920s. It wasn’t until the 1940s, however, that Piaget would finally put his name on the dial of a watch.
Once the branding began, Piaget became known for making some of the most luxurious slimline dress watches in the world. In fact, Piaget has long been considered one of the best slimline watchmakers around, and it still is today.
While it may not have the record for the thinnest watch ever made, Piaget continues to make slim and lightweight timepieces with elegance.
Piaget’s Famous Collections
Having established itself many moons ago, Piaget has several much-loved collections from its history. Below, we will take a closer look at some of the most famous collections from the Swiss watchmakers.
Piaget Polo Watch
The Polo has been one of the best Piaget men’s watches since its introduction in the 1970s. Piaget Polo watches have changed with the times but have always retained their sense of masculinity.
The original Polo was a Piaget gold watch but over the years the materials used have been updated. Currently, Piaget Polo watches are made from brushed steel to appeal to collectors of today. The Piaget Polo S is that modern version of the classic and it’s an all-rounder which can be worn for sports or everyday occasions.
Piaget Limelight Gala
If you are looking for a Piaget women’s watch or Piaget diamond watch, then the Limelight Gala is the one to go for. The women’s luxury watch market is jam-packed with great choices but it’s impossible to overlook the sheer elegance of the Limelight Gala.
First established in 1972, the Limelight Gala remains wearable today and will go down as a timeless, luxury watch. Piaget resurrected the Limelight Gala in 2013, replacing the original white gold strap with a satin one.
The Limelight Gala goes with pretty much any outfit and it wouldn’t look out of place being worn at the office or a red carpet event. The stylish round 32mm dial is encased in diamonds and can cost as much as £58,500 depending on the style you choose.
Piaget Altiplano
This is the Piaget collection that put the brand on the map. Originally released in 1957, this slim and elegant watch embodies everything that Piaget stands for.
Remember that motto? “Always do better than necessary” is more apparent than ever with this timepiece. It is slimline with a flat calibre of just 2.3mm high. Somehow, Piaget managed to squeeze in an automatic movement into such a flat case, made even more impressive with a dial diameter of just 20.5mm.
This movement is made possible thanks to a micromotor made of 24k gold but the innovations in this collection didn’t stop there. Piaget continues to make Altiplano watches today, with the most special pieces available by request only.
How To Tell If a Piaget Watch Is Real
Piaget recommends that customers only buy watches from official boutiques or authorised retailers to ensure they don’t purchase a fake. The Swiss company declared that only Piaget specialists can determine the authenticity during a service.
However, it does concede that reputable auction houses like Christie’s or Sotheby’s can also determine fake from authentic. When it comes to vintage Piaget watches, it’s going to require an official brand specialist to determine their authenticity.
Despite this official advice, there are some things you can look out for yourself to help uncover a counterfeit. For starters, check the serial number of your timepiece and then get in touch with Piaget. If the two numbers don’t match up, you’ve got a fake.
A major tell of a fake watch compared to a genuine Piaget is how smooth the mechanism is. Movements in Piaget’s are super smooth when you move it back and forth with the crown. If the hands are moving a bit too quickly or are jumping around then it’s not likely to be a genuine Piaget. However, it’s only possible to tell this if the watch is in your hands.
Which leads us to our next point, the price. Some retailers may be selling a Piaget for super cheap, especially online. This is a red flag that it’s a fake because Piaget watches are renowned for their craftsmanship. If a Piaget watch price seems too good to be true, it usually is.
One final piece of advice for spotting fake Piagets is to look closely at the date window, or cyclops. Piaget’s watches magnify the small date number by 2.5 times and this is incredibly difficult for counterfeiters to replicate. Not only is the level of magnification tough to recreate, the clarity that Piaget achieves is also extremely tough.
Uniform Wares
Somewhat like Piaget, here at Uniform Wares, we create contemporary timepieces that suit all occasions. Our minimalist-inspired men’s and women’s watches are designed in-house at our London studio.
We have paired with Swiss engineers to bring our Uniform Wares collections to the world. No matter where you are on the planet, our worldwide shipping will bring your Uniform Wares watch to your door.