There are watch collectors obsessed with expensive watch brands. Why on earth would someone spend thousands of pesos on an extravagant item when there are bills to pay? Reason is, there is more to a luxury watch than most people know: It requires a discriminating eye and a flair for style.
Someone who truly understands the beauty and value of luxury watches is a Frenchman named Yves G. Piaget, chairman of Piaget International and "keeper of Piaget’s temple." Recently, Rustan’s welcomed Piaget to highlight his watches and jewelry creations at a gala dinner in Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
Having studied engineering, physics, mechanics and electronics, Yves G. Piaget was responsible for producing the very first ultra-thin quartz movement, a style that was so unique in the ’60s.
"(During those times), it was a very important step for the family to develop and integrate a new technology," Yves says. "I had this passion for the evolution of new technology, which has changed completely the face of the watch at the end of the last century." This man is what you might consider a wizard of watches.
All Piaget watches are manufactured at La Cote-aux-Fées in France, according to time-proven traditional standards and the finest craftsmanship (including the secrets that have been handed down from generation to generation). Today, Piaget remains one of only a handful of watch-manufacturing companies that have their own gold foundry works.
If Chanel is synonymous with haute couture, Piaget can be considered the haute couture of watches or haute joaillerie. This is a company that considers its employees the most important part of its operations. Thanks to the imagination, innovation, and skills of its staff, Piaget is able to present around the world high quality, exclusive products. "We don’t manufacture many watches in a year. We keep it at an exclusive quantity," he adds.
To add to the exclusivity of Piaget timepieces, the unique designs of cases and bracelets are made from materials such as gold or platinum. Yves says that they use only the best raw materials for their watches. The company encourages artistry and originality, ensuring its reputation as a fashion leader. Creations in diamonds and gemstones like rubies, emeralds and sapphires are a testament to this.
Take for example, Piaget’s Oval Limelight watch. It boasts an oversized ellipse of white gold case and flanges, which reflect light and add a greater depth to the dial. The bezel is adorned with more than a hundred round diamonds. For the 130th anniversary, Yves loved the idea of contrasts, like having pink serpentine numerals on a black dial. Glamorous but not to the point of being trivial, the Limelight collection comes in either satin or alligator strap.
Because watches are designed to complement clothing, they have a timeless element that will go well with either jeans or gowns. However, with today’s more casual lifestyle, watches require flexibility, and watchmakers have responded with a dazzling array of luxury watches that will make men and women look good in any attire.
Yves adds, "Since taste depends on culture, we must adapt to the evolution of the world from our strategies to collection. Flexibility and adaptation are the most important elements which make my work very fascinating."
Piaget also ventured in jewelry manufacturing on the side. Since the company already invented high jewelry in watches, the designers created an extravagant and accessible line catering to the younger clientele. The Limelight collection is an expression of Piaget’s image in jewelry. In this particular line, one would notice the semi-heart: The heart pendant, brooch, bracelet, earrings and ring are made of white gold and diamonds.
"Limelight means ‘light, sparkling collection, brilliant without being a show-off.’ The designs are pure with the sparkle of diamonds and the perfection of lines," he explains.
Yves is optimistic about the company’s future. The thrust is to continue creating high-quality, exclusive products. The key words for Piaget are innovation and creativity.
Time has definitely advanced the technology of watches. Watches have become more than just time-keeping devices; they reflect style and good taste, and are good investments.
"After four generations, Piaget has acquired a distinctive style," Yves concludes. "And I wish that my successors will respect the past and remember where we came from – in order to head into the right direction."