Pre-SIHH 2015: Piaget's Black Tie "vintage-inspiration"
When a brand introduces a marvelous tourbillon, a rugged diver's watch , or even a lightweight racing chronograph, I'm almost always keen on hearing more. But there's nothing as exciting as the re-creation of a timeless, and vintage, timepiece.
The Black Tie "vintage-inspiration" watch by Piaget is the paragon of a revivified classic. As Piaget emphasizes, it's not a square, nor is it round or rectangular. This watch's case is a unique shape that mirrors the designs of Piaget's 1960's timepieces. The original version of this exact wristwatch was most notably worn and, evidently, made popular by Andy Warhol.
I must say that the time and effort put into creating the stepped bezel, alone, is unheard of. Although the white gold, 40mm by 45mm case is substantial by any standards, these steps give off the visual impression that this watch is larger than it actually is.
What I like more than anything about the Black Tie "vintage-inspiration" is the element of simplicity. Few lines are carved into this case, the dial is crafted from polished black onyx and is entirely unornamented, and the hands (hour and minute only) are sleek and minimal.
Moreover, the jet-black, hand-stitched alligator strap is connected to the case via hidden lugs. This feature is seldom seen in contemporary watches and is a major bonus for guys who like some retro-styling in their watches, casual or dress.
Piaget's movements are always premier in quality. The Black Tie "vintage-inspiration" is powered by an in-house caliber 534P self-winding (a.k.a. automatic) movement with a 42-hour power reserve.
It would be nice if Piaget included an exhibition caseback option. Although, one has to take into account that Piaget specifically built this piece to the specifications of the 1960's models; thus, only a solid caseback would be used.
This wristwatch will be produced in a 28-piece numbered edition. Retail price is expected to be approximately 40,000 USD.
For further information, please visit www.piaget.com.