In 1874, Georges-Edouard Piaget began crafting ultra-thin, high-precision watch movements in La Cote-aux-Fees, a remote Swiss Jura village. Guided by the motto “Always do better than necessary”, his dedication quickly earned recognition in the watchmaking industry, establishing the foundation for Piaget’s legacy. By the mid-20th century, Piaget, under the leadership of Gerald and Valentin Piaget, had evolved into a globally recognised brand.
Gerald expanded the maison’s reach, while Valentin drove innovation, introducing the ultra-thin calibre 9P in 1957 and the 12P – the world’s thinnest automatic movement at just 2.3mm – in 1960. These advancements redefined watch mechanics and allowed Piaget to explore greater creative freedom in design.
Operating from its secluded location in the Jura mountains, Piaget became self-sufficient, building a full range of in-house resources, including a gold foundry and highly skilled teams of watchmakers, goldsmiths, and engravers. This autonomy fuelled Valentin’s vision for Piaget’s jewellery watches and led to the establishment of its own creative studio in the late 1960s. By hiring designers with backgrounds in jewellery rather than traditional watchmaking, Piaget pushed the boundaries of design.
In 1957, Piaget made a bold move to focus exclusively on watches crafted from precious metals like platinum and gold, setting itself apart from competitors prioritising practicality. This commitment to both aesthetic beauty and t.