In 2012 on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, Piaget welcomed the Year of the Dragon with a special capsule collection of exceptional timepieces. As the 12-year cycle begins again, that spirit of daring creativity, remarkable sophistication and unexpected beauty is awakened once more for a special Lunar New Year capsule collection dedicated to the Dragon & Phoenix magnetic energies.
A symbol of power, strength and prosperity, the Dragon is among the most celebrated and emblematic of Chinese zodiacs symbols. No wonder that for Piaget’s 2012 commemorative Lunar New Year collection, the Maison created 24 references that included four high watchmaking complications, eight Metiers d’Art timepieces and two High Jewellery secret watches. These were followed up each year with individual, beautifully crafted watches – mostly in minimal tones – which paid homage to the year’s zodiac sign.
Piaget now marks the start of another 12-year cycle with a spectacular new capsule collection which, again, pays tribute to the Dragon and Phoenix – that coupled Chinese symbol of masculinity and femininity, strength and power, hope and rebirth, of ultimate harmony and balance. Featuring 10 daring designs of exceptional watches and High Jewellery pieces – topped off with a pair of extravagant and very exclusive, made-to-order High Jewellery cuff watches – each creation brims with emotion and exuberance, joyfully channelling the codes of the Maison while celebrating unparalleled Metiers d’Art and watchmaking savoir-faire.
Since 2006, the enamelling master Anita Porchet has collaborated with Piaget, lending to the Maison her unrivalled expertise in creating touches of miniature enamel– not to mention her patience and passion. Porchet has been behind Piaget’s annual Lunar New Year watches, and now two 38mm Altiplano Zodiac references take on a particularly modern and ebullient expression. Limited to 38 pieces each, the dials depict either an elegant blue Dragon or a mix of red, pink and orange hues for the Phoenix soaring among the clouds, the sky crafted from a subtle mix of carved white and grey mother of pearl. Porchet’s masterful cloisonné enamelling and her signature play of light, shadow and transparency truly bring the scene to life. Gold engraving further enhances the Dragon’s scales and the Phoenix’s plumage, adding depth and dimensionality. Complex in their craftsmanship and sophistication, the watches’ expert execution evokes a sense of wonder and awe, offering a kind of universal appeal that extends beyond these classic motifs as Chinese symbols. A bold and colourful new set which sets the tone with a new style.
Four new High jewellery watches continue the theme. A 41mm Altiplano High Jewellery Dragon watch sees Porchet’s fine paillonné enamelwork complement a gold-engraved Dragon that’s rendered in exquisite, powerful detail. Featuring red lacquered eyes and clasping a mystical black opal fireball in its claws, the whole design radiates from a stunning sunburst engraving. Trimmed with diamonds on the lugs and bezel, the watch is powered by Piaget’s historic 830P Manufacture ultra-thin, hand wound mechanical movement and is limited to eight numbered editions.
The Dragon motif also swirls onto a new Piaget Emperador watch, featuring a flying tourbillon in a stunning construction. This gold-engraved Dragon is especially alluring and audacious, sensually winding its way around the case and onto the sides of the watch, onto the dial. Snow-set sapphires and diamonds, each painstakingly set in graduation, evoke a twinkling, starry blue sky. The 46.5mm watch epitomises Piaget as a flamboyant encounter between high watchmaking and inspired jewellery – and is truly a work of unexpected beauty.
Two Phoenix High Jewellery watches bring forth a feminine, precious interpretation. A splendid plumage of marquise and brilliant-cut diamonds dress a 32mm watch in an asymmetrical motif, as gold engraving details flow onto the dial, galvanising the design. This is paired with a gold bracelet in the Decor Palace finish, among Piaget’s most celebrated gold engraving techniques. A second model comes in a ruby and white gold mix, and each model is limited to eight pieces.
For the first time, the capsule collection includes high jewellery creations: a unique Dragon brooch and ring, and two Phoenix earcuffs. A 4.02ct cushion-cut Mozambique ruby is the centrepiece of the bold signet ring, which is complemented by spessartite and spinels set in graduation, further flecked with baguette-cut diamonds and gold engraving. Another one-off gem is a dazzling and colourful Dragon brooch that encircles three incredible stones – yellow sapphire, spessartite and spinel, all cushion cuts – as a smattering of round-cut rubies, spessarites and spinels invigorate the jewel. It took more than 8 months for the Maison to find the perfect pair of central stones with matching hues.
Earcuffs are now a Piaget signature – oozing the Maison’s touchpoints such as asymmetry, flamboyance and elevated expression. Echoing the two Phoenix jewellery watches, the earcuffs, come in either a diamond and rose gold mix, or ruby and white gold, as marquise, pear and brilliant-cut diamonds dance among exquisite gold engraving. These are gems full of movement, accentuated volumes and utter radiance.
A final touch of frisson comes courtesy of two made-to-order High Jewellery cuff watches. An audacious Dragon cuff – fringed in onyx with added texture from a blend of baguette, marquise and brilliant-cut diamonds – sees the creature embracing a watch dial and a magnificent black opal cabochon. Meanwhile an engraved gold Phoenix cuff set with an exquisite rubellite cabochon is draped with pink rubies, pink sapphires and cobalt spinels in round and marquise cuts. An extravagant pink feather adds a final, unexpected touch, and is detachable to create a stunning, transformable jewel. Both cuffs are unique in each interpretation, with clients able to customise their desired finishes and stones.
Bursting with energy, emotion and a hint of playful irreverence, the capsule collection heralds an exciting new cycle of the Chinese zodiac – and showcases a unique watchmaking and high jewellery Maison truly mastering its house codes to push the boundaries of creativity and daring.
Images courtesy of Piaget
