To celebrate the 50th anniversary of their legendary caliber 12P, the world’s thinnest mechanical self-winding movement at that time, Piaget introduces Caliber 1200P, today’s thinnest automatic movement at 2.35mm. The new movement is housed in new limited and unlimited Altiplano models, which at 5.25mm are the thinnest automatic watches on the market today.
The Altiplano with Calibre 1200P includes an unlimited version with subsidiary seconds, and a special Anniversary Edition with hour and minute hands only. Both models measure 43mm in diameter and both have multi-level dials and a very clean, modern look. The Anniversary Edition offers a platinum rotor, compared with 22-carat gold in the unlimited models. The Anniversary Edition also features a discrete inscription on the outer edge of the dial, which is adorned with hand guilloché.
For the past 50 years, Piaget has been a pioneer and leader in the field of ultra-thin movements. In 1957, Piaget developed Calibre 9P, the world’s thinnest mechanical hand-wound movement at 2mm thick. Two years later, Valentin Piaget filed a patent for Calibre 12P, which was marketed in 1960 and set a new record for thin self-winding movements. More recently, the 2.1mm thick calibre 430P was launched in 1998, and the 2.5mm 830P in 2007. Piaget has also created several thin complicated movements, including the 3.5mm calibre 600P tourbillon, and the 855P with fits a perpetual calendar, retrograde displays and a dual time-zone indication into a movement that is only 5.65mm thick.
Creating ultra-thin movements requires extreme precision. The gear train wheels in the calibre 1200P are a mere 0.12mm thick – about 30% thicker than a human hair. Unlike other brands whose thin movements are also small in diameter, the Calibre 1200P measures just under 30mm across, so it is suited to the large case that houses it. The Calibre 1200P is also easy on the eyes. The bevelled bridges are adorned with Côtes de Genève, and the mainplate is circular-grained. Steel parts are satin-brushed and screws are blued, while the wheels are circular sunray-brushed.
The Anniversary Edition is available in 18-carat pink gold matched with a midnight blue dial with a Swiss MSRP of SFr. 20,000, or in 18-carat white gold framing a black dial priced at SFr. 21,000. Each of these references is available in a limited series of 235 pieces, and the individual number is engraved on the oscillating weight of each movement. The unlimited Altiplano is also available in pink gold at SFr. 18,000 and in white gold at SFr. 19,000.
Technical information appears below the images, which may be enlarged with a click.
Piaget Calibre 1200P
The unlimited Altiplano with sub-seconds
The Anniversary Edition models
Piaget Altiplano “Anniversary Edition”
Large model 43 mm
18-carat gold case in white or pink gold
Black or blue hand-guilloché dial, baton hour-markers, baton hands
Manufacture Piaget 1200P ultra-thin mechanical self-winding movement
Functions: Hour, minute
Movement thickness: 2.35 mm
Casing dimensions: 13 1/4 ’’’ (29.9 mm diameter)
Number of jewels: 25
Frequency: 21,600 vph
Approximately 40-hour power reserve
Finishing: circular Côtes de Genève, circular-grained plate, bevelled bridges , blued screws, sunray-brushed wheels, platinum oscillating weight engraved with the number of the limited edition and Piaget coat of arms
18-carat gold pin buckle
Black alligator leather strap
Limited and numbered edition of 235 in each color
Piaget Altiplano
Large model 43 mm
18-carat white or pink gold case
Silver or black dial, baton hour-markers, baton hands
Manufacture Piaget 1208P ultra-thin mechanical self-winding movement
Functions: Hour, minute, small seconds (at 4 o’clock)
Movement thickness: 2.35 mm
Casing dimensions: 13 ¼ ’’’ ( 29.9 mm diameter)
Number of jewels: 27
Frequency: 21,600 vph
Approximately 40-hour power reserve
Finishing: circular Côtes de Genève, circular-grained plate, bevelled bridges, blued screws, sunray-brushed wheels, 22-carat gold oscillating weight engraved with Piaget coat of arms
18-carat gold pin buckle
Black alligator leather strap
