Piaget has long been synonymous with ultra-thin watchmaking. Since the legendary 9P movement in 1957 and the revolutionary 12P in 1960, the company has owned this technical territory. The Altiplano has long been Piaget’s platform for breaking records and redefining what’s possible in ultra-thin watchmaking, most notably with the Altiplano Ultimate Concept, which won the coveted Aiguille d’Or at the 2020 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
Piaget has now introduced two timepieces that encapsulate the brand’s long-standing reputation for ultra-thin watchmaking: the Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon and the Altiplano 910P. These latest additions build on nearly seven decades of innovation, representing the collection at its most evolved.
The Ultimate Concept Tourbillon
The Ultimate Concept Tourbillon sits in a league of its own. Measuring just 2.0mm thick within a 41.5mm cobalt alloy case, this piece is is astonishingly slender. A newly added sapphire case-back reveals the calibre 970P-UC, finished with satin-brushed and polished surfaces.
Two engraved inscriptions, ‘Always do better than necessary’ and ‘La Côte-aux-Fées’, highlights Piaget’s founding philosophy and the Swiss village where its most exceptional pieces are made.
The watch also joins Piaget’s Infinitely Personal programme, allowing clients to select custom finishes, materials, and engravings, true to a long-held ideal that each Piaget piece should be as unique as the individual wearing it.
A Look at The 910P
At 4.3mm thick within its 41mm yellow gold case, the 910P creates warm contrast against the khaki green dial. The calibre 910P movement is complemented by bridges finished in matching tones, whilst the peripheral rotor displays slate grey and green. The dial presents a fascinating mechanical landscape with visible gears arranged in an almost architectural display.
The peripheral rotor system creates subtle animation while wearing, with the weighted ring rotating smoothly around the movement’s edge. Despite additional thickness compared to its tourbillon sibling, the watch remains remarkably light and comfortable, with a presence that’s impressively refined.
In a nod to the Altiplano’s design heritage, Piaget has subtly reinterpreted its signature cross-shaped motif, historically seen on the Altiplano, now replicated across the ratchet wheel, balance wheel, and screw arrangement. Both watches share cross-shaped patterns throughout their movements, creating visual continuity between the models. These details create cohesive family resemblance whilst maintaining individual character.
Engineering as Art
Subtle but striking, the Ultimate Concept Tourbillon uses its caseback as the mainplate, eliminating unnecessary thickness without compromise. The 910P leverages its ingenious peripheral rotor to remain impressively slim while retaining automatic winding. These are classic demonstrations of Piaget’s unique ability to transform constraint into creativity.
The 910P’s peripheral rotor system positions the automatic winding weight around the movement’s perimeter rather than centrally, maintaining a slim profile whilst ensuring reliable power delivery. The 910P’s 4.3mm achievement is genuinely remarkable, and yet appears effortless when on the wrist.
Both timepieces benefit from considered material choices. The cobalt alloy case of the Ultimate Concept Tourbillon provides exceptional resistance while highlighting khaki green accents, whereas the 910P’s yellow gold case adds warmth and contrast. Surface finishes range from meticulously brushed areas to highly polished highlights, enhancing the play of light across each component. Matching khaki green alligator straps extend the cohesive aesthetic from case to wrist.
The new Altiplano duo shows Piaget at the peak of its craft. Ultra-thin, exquisitely finished, and subtly animated, they prove Piaget continues to push boundaries while respecting its heritage, resulting in watches that are as remarkable as they are wearable.