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Piaget Altiplano automatic ultra-thin watchThe Swiss watch making brand is well-known for its in-house ultra-thin automatic calibers. Entering the business of hairbreadth-thin movements in 1957, Piaget continues its journey with the new Altiplano model powered by their newest Calibre 1208P automatic movement.Being only 2.35 mm thick, the movement is 29.9 mm in diameter (perhaps, Piaget’s engineers needed more real estate for the micro-rotor, which is made of 22-carat yellow gold) hence the relatively large case 43 mm in diameter and 5.25 mm thick.Although in its press release Piaget calls its new movement “the thinnest” on the market and uses the word “record” six times, I may remind you that the Calibre 1208P in only 0.1mm thinner than Audemars Piguet’s Calibre 2120/2802 self-winding movement with its full-fledged perpetual calendar complication.The Piaget Altiplano can only display hours, minutes and seconds.Well, at least it will be much less expensive, I suppose.

It is not a secret that for the Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Piaget the desire for innovation is a second nature. The watch*** heritage of the house can be traced all the way back to 1957, when its highly qualified specialists developed a mechanical 9-ligne movement, which was just 2 mm thick. The first watches, powered by this caliber, sent tremors through the horological world.This mechanism had a worthy successor in the world's thinnest 12P automatic movement, introduced at Basel Fair in 1960.In its constant search for excellence, the brand not only boggled the audience's imagination with its revolutionary ultra-thin calibers, but also protected them by extremely slender cases. Housed in them were elegant dials, characterized by unbelievable purity.Piaget always refused to stay on a beaten track: out of a total of 29 movements, born in the company's workshops, 17 are ultra-thin. The most outstanding recent calibers include the 430P (2.1 mm thick) developed in 1998 and the 830P (2.5 mm) issued in 2007.The company's mastery in ultra-thin movements led to the creation of complicated calibers, embracing the world's thinnest shaped tourbillon 600P, 880P chronograph, 885P perpetual calendar as well as the 1270P automatic tourbillon movements. In 2010, to mark the 50th anniversary of the release of its legendary 12P calibre, Piaget proudly unveiled the 1200P (hours and minutes) and 1208P (hours, minutes and small seconds) - the world's thinnest mechanical automatic movements, which were just 2.35 mm thick. The remarkable mechanisms were skillfully hidden inside 43 mm Altiplano watches, inspired by the striking beauty of the eponymous valley.In 2011, keen as ever to pursue the evolution of its collections, Piaget introduces a new series of Altiplano watches. The first members of the marvelous line are Altiplano 34 and 38 mm watches, which perfectly combine the world of fine jewellery with the world of ultra-thin movements. Distinguished by supreme elegance and purity, the novelties draw and hold the eye of the beholders with their fully-paved displays. The dial of the Piaget Altiplano 38 mm watch, reference G0A36129, is illuminated by the play of 735 brilliant-cut diamonds, which weight totals to 2.1 carats. The face of the Piaget Altiplano 34 mm watch, reference G0A36128, is sprinkled with 574 brilliant-cut diamonds with an overall weight equal to 1.7 carats.The displays of both versions are equipped with 18-carat white gold applied hour-markers and dauphine hands, which serve to indicate hours and minutes. Each dial is gently hugged by an 18-carat white gold case. The body of the 38 mm version is enhanced with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds, totaling to 0.7 carats. The case of the 34 mm interpretation presents a shimmering interplay of 72 brilliant-cut diamonds, which weight constitutes about 0.5 carats. Ticking inside each timepiece is the brand's proprietary 430P 2.1 mm thick mechanical hand-wound movement. Embellished with 18 jewels and a circular Cotes de Geneve pattern, it incorporates circular-grained main plate, bevelled bridges and blued screws. The movement operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hours and supplies a 40-hour power reserve.Both Altiplano 38 mm and 34 mm watches are teamed with black alligator leather straps. They are finalized by 18-carat white gold pin buckles, studded with 23 brilliant-cut diamonds.Another member of this gorgeous line is the Altiplano 43 mm white gold watch, reference G0A36138, which mesmerizes the public with its jewel-paved bezel. The latter is brightened by 88 brilliant-cut diamonds, which overall weight constitutes 0.8 carats. Impossible to resist, the bezel is incorporated into the structure of an 18-carat white gold case.The new Piaget watch shows off a silver-colored dial, completed with black baton hour-markers. Circulating over them are black baton hour and minutes hands. The small seconds are indicated in a counter at 5 o'clock.Animating the functions is the manufactory-made 1208P mechanical self-winding movement - 2.35 mm thick. Adorned with 27 jewels and a circular Cotes de Geneve motif, it comprises a circular-grained main plate, bevelled bridges, blued screws, sunburst-brushed wheels as well a 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight engraved with a coat of arms. The caliber runs at the rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour and provides a power reserve of 40 hours.The model is worn on a black alligator leather strap, fitted with an 18-carat white gold pin buckle.The new Altiplano collection also welcomes a 40 mm pink gold watch, ref. G0A36118. Its gorgeous bezel, highlighted by the sparkle of 72 brilliant-cut diamonds, coordinates perfectly with the exquisite purity of a silver-colored display. The weight of gems constitutes 1 carat. Equipped with black baton hour-markers and baton hands, the dial ensures central hours and minutes. The small seconds are taken care of in a counter at 10 o'clock. Giving life to these functions is the in-house 838P 2.5 mm mechanical hand-wound movement. It is decorated with 19 jewels and a circular Cotes de Geneve pattern. The structure of the mechanism includes a circular-grained main plate, an engraved coat of arms, a balance with blued screws and bevelled bridges. The caliber beats to the rhythm of 21,600 vibrations per hours and ensures a 62-hour power reserve. It seats comfortably in an 18-carat pink gold case.Keeping the new Piaget watch secured to the wearer's wrist is a brown alligator leather strap, finalized by an 18-carat pink gold pin buckle.One more flourish in the range is an Altiplano 34 mm pink gold lady's watch. Imbued with a refined charm, the model, reference G0A36107, employs an 18-carat pink gold case. It carries a bezel, breathtakingly inset with 72 brilliant-cut diamonds, totaling to 0.5 carats.Embraced by the case is a white dial. It proudly reveals copper-colored Roman numerals and baton hands, which serve to indicate hours and minutes. The small seconds tick away in a counter, arranged at 10 o'clock. The sub-dial mentioned is paved with 28 brilliant-cut diamonds, which weight is equal to 0.1 carats. The timepiece relies on the in-house 450P 2.1 mm mechanical hand-wound movement. Embellished with 18 jewels and a circular Cotes de Geneve motive, it incorporates a circular-grained main plate, bevelled bridges and blued screws. The caliber oscillates at the rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers a 40-hour power reserve.The new timekeeper is coupled with a white alligator leather strap, which terminates in an 18-carat pink gold pin buckle.