Pre-SIHH 2015: The Ultra-Thin Piaget Altiplano Chronograph
As next year's Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie nears, we will be definitely seeing a myriad of interesting and innovative creations from all of Richemont's brands and the few independent brands that also attend this event. While there haven't been too many watch introductions thus far, Piaget has unveiled something spectacular: The Piaget Altiplano Chronograph, a.k.a. the world's thinnest hand-wound flyback chronograph.
This record-breaking (and record-setting) piece of haute-horology appears to be quite simple on the outside, but much research and knowledge, of course, had to be put forth in an effort to produce such a slim wristwatch.
Its 8.24 millimeter thin case is skillfully crafted out of 18 karat pink gold. I applaud Piaget for giving this case the dimensions of a modern sports watch versus that of a dress watch; therefore, it is appropriate for both black-tie occasions and everyday wear. Additionally, the chronograph's pushers pair well with the overall styling and contours of this case.
A brilliantly clean, white dial gives Piaget's Altiplano Chronograph its sleek, contemporary look. Very little adorns the dial, aside from the sunburst satin-brushed finish, elongated hour markers, and coal-black baton-shaped hands.
This watch is complete with a richly-toned brown alligator strap and a pink gold pin buckle.
The in-house 883P hand-wound chronograph calibre is the true highlight of this timepiece. Practically a caliber 880P automatic movement with modifications, the 883P is the world's thinnest hand-wound flyback chrono movement and one of Piaget 25 remarkable ultra-thin movements. By the way, 14 of these 25 movement hold world-records.
Well, I can say Piaget sure has accomplished a lot. By writing this article, I just broke a record over here at TWA. The record? The thinnest movement ever featured on this site:)
Piaget, a 140-year old, Geneva-based, watchmaking power house has just made history.