Piaget’s release for Watches and Wonders 2022 sees the brand unveil a unique one-of-a-kind piece that follows on from last year’s green dial (AUC) release. This latest release is the Altiplano Ultimate Concept (AUC) in its most updated form. The (AUC) started off as an idea, a grand vision to achieve the impossible. Like most daring watch brands, Piaget’s philosophy was to push the limits of what’s capable and do what has never been done before.
The Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept first came to fruition after four years of research and development on February 7th, 2017 at 7.47 am. This marked the birth of an icon, and ever since all (AUC) models bear this significant date on the dial of the watch. Roughly a year later, the (AUC) made its first appearance to the watch world at the 2018 Geneva Watches & Wonders fair. Two years later, Piaget made it available for everyday wear. In April 2020, the very first customer-owned Altiplano Ultimate Concept timepiece left the Piaget workshops. In November of that year, Piaget finally received the recognition the brand deserved for creating such an impressive timepiece, by winning the prestigious Aiguille d’Or prize from the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
So what makes this watch a technological feat in watchmaking? It all comes down to how all the elements of the watch are put together, to create the world’s thinnest timepiece. Most modern timepieces are made up of four layers; 1) the bezel and crystal, 2) dial and hands, 3) movement, 4) case back. Piaget rewrote the playbook on this modern watch construction, by removing these four layers and instead combining the components with the bridges, dial and hands-on one side, and with the case back, movement, main plate, and bezel on the other. Altogether this timepiece has five patents that have enabled Piaget to create a timepiece that stands 2mm in total height, from the underside of the case back to the top of the crystal on the dial side. You can begin to understand why Piaget was so excited by the launch of this timepiece and why it’s heavily celebrated.
Design:
The latest update to the Altiplano Ultimate Concept timepiece has several stylistic details that recall the brand’s impressive journey in creating this timepiece. The 44mm case has a monobloc bezel integrated into the frame within the 0.2mm crystal. As per the previous models, the rectangular-shaped crown has been recessed into the case and, so that no protrusions exist on the watch case. On the dial, we see the Piaget logo on the historic font which is the same typeface used in the logo above the Piaget Manufacture in La Côte-aux-Fées.
On the time dial, two enlarged circles sit on the minute ring, so that when the time hits 7:47, the hands are sitting right on the rings. The main update which differs from previous models of the Altiplano Ultimate Concept is that the background of the dial features stars that have been coated in SuperLumiNova, which makes them illuminate beautifully at night or low light conditions. These stars replicate the sky above La Côte-aux-Fées at the exact date and time of the AUC’s birth.
Keeping with the ultra-thin design of the watch, Piaget has given the watch an extremely thin dark blue alligator strap, measuring at 1.5mm!
Movement:
The movement used is the Piaget 900P-UC, which as we know has been merged with the watch exterior. The Piaget 900P-UC movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 VpH (4Hz) and gives out a power reserve of approximately 45 hours. The total number of jewels used in the movement is thirteen. The movement powers the hours and minutes offset at the mini dial shown at 12 o’clock. The large ratchet wheel shown at 6 o’clock has the engravings La Côte-aux-Fées and also the location of the Manufacture with its coordinates.
Piaget’s Altiplano Ultimate Concept is a spectacular feat in watchmaking, bringing together horological elements to create the world’s thinnest timepiece. This latest upgrade presented at Watches and Wonders 2022 sees the Altiplano Ultimate Concept don a starry night sky in a breathtaking navy blue background which makes all the elements of this timepiece stand out beautifully. A timepiece that is sure to leave you speechless in more ways than one.
Reference: G0A47505
Specification:
- Case: 41 mm with a thickness of just 2mm!
- Case Material: Dark slate Blue PVD treated and satin-brushed bezel and caseback
- Dial: Blue dial with Superluminova constellation on the main plate
- Crystal: Sapphire Crystal, anti-reflective coating inside
- Water resistance: 20 meters
- Movement: Piaget 900P-UC
- Power reserve: 45 Hours
- Strap: Blue alligator strap and blue baltimora textile strap
