Piaget Andy Warhol | IN DEPTH

Zach Blass

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Introduced within the latter half of final yr, Piaget formally (and surprisingly) modified the title of the Black Tie to the Andy Warhol Watch, a moniker that was lengthy utilized by followers of the mannequin. Whereas the inaugural Andy Warhol Clou de Paris launched the title change, Piaget expanded the gathering at Watches and Wonders 2025, because the advanced cushion form merged with new dials. However earlier than we discover the brand new watch, it’s necessary to dive into its backstory first.

The backstory

The ’70s have been pivotal for watchmaking, a time when quartz know-how started to rise, and the advertising masterclass of metal being a fabric for luxurious watchmaking was conceived. Piaget, nonetheless, has by no means been a model to dilute what it believes to be glamour – the Piaget society is all about jet-setting luxurious and dwelling on the sunny aspect of life. Piaget has at all times been a model with a real inventive sensibility, taking part in with shapes, colors, and supplies, particularly as a pioneer in stone dials, lengthy forward of the development we’re seeing right this moment.

It was solely in 1979, by the top of the last decade, that Piaget would enter the sporty class with its Polo – by itself phrases, naturally, with a then-advanced quartz motion, and in a gadrooned type Yves Piaget has described as a bracelet with a watch, fairly than a watch on a bracelet. Everybody can argue over which built-in icon stole its look from the opposite, however the Polo from 1979 has no doppelgänger. To place issues in perspective, its descendant, the Polo S launched in 2016, was the model’s first-ever metal assortment. Find it irresistible, hate it, or envy it, Piaget largely centres round treasured supplies, inventive crafts, and talking to luxurious life.

This sense of glamour and artistry is undoubtedly what drew Andy Warhol to the model. The famend pop artist was identified to have owned a minimum of seven Piaget watches – 4 of which proudly reside inside Piaget’s personal assortment. In 1973, Warhol acquired a Piaget he didn’t know would ultimately be named after him, then often known as the reference 15102 and first launched in 1972 with the famed Beta 21 motion. This unnamed mannequin, the 15102, was produced in a really restricted sequence from 1972 to 1977, with simply 26 items made. The design would later be named the Black Tie upon its return 37 years later. However as everyone knows, watches usually earn nicknames from collectors, and owing to its most well-known wearer, all who knew the design would merely seek advice from it because the Warhol. As of November 2024 and thru a partnership with the Andy Warhol Basis For the Visible Arts, the gathering title and nickname have turn into one.

The Piaget Andy Warhol of right this moment

Since its inception, the design of the Warhol has, for essentially the most half, remained unchanged. Upon launch, the cushion case boldly measured 45mm in width and 38mm lug-to-lug. The present era retains the 45mm width however now has a lug-to-lug of 43mm, giving it extra presence and catering to trendy tastes with out sacrificing the integrity of its unique type. The extensive cushion form is only one case signature, the second being the stepped perimeter across the dial, which is alleged to have the intention of making the phantasm of thinness. Nonetheless, because of its 501P1 motion that’s simply 3.63mm thick – and regardless of its intricate sculptural type – the Andy Warhol is just round 8mm in peak. Now that’s fairly skinny, phantasm or no phantasm.

Wanting on the case from the aspect, although, the seeming staircase climbing as much as its sapphire crystal peak, it does look thinner than its acknowledged dimension for certain. Then once more, this can be a model that has lengthy indulged within the pursuit of ultra-thin watchmaking earlier than it was on-trend and has held a world file for the thinnest tourbillon at simply 2mm thick (till usurped by Bulgari, however that’s inappropriate). The Andy Warhol is a made-to-order assortment, which will be configured in 200 other ways by way of ten decorative stone dial choices, 5 completely different colored leather-based straps, two handsets (baton or dauphine), and both white or rose gold by way of the Maison’s Infinitely Private service. For many who can’t be bothered going by way of the motions, there are additionally ready-made configurations that Piaget gives.

Two Andy Warhol fashions made their debut at Watches and Wonders. One finds itself in a white gold case paired with a tiger’s eye dial and a colour-matching brown leather-based strap. The second, a high-jewellery variant, embeds a triple-row of blue, baguette-cut sapphire gadroons inside the steps of the case that completely match the dazzling blue opal stone dial and blue leather-based strap. To seek out such a amount of blue sapphires in a uniform hue was a problem in and of itself, and the identical will be stated for the opal dial in regard to discovering a stone giant sufficient to fill the case.

The decision

I gained’t faux the Piaget Andy Warhol is to everybody’s style, man or watch, with the latter actually not in everybody’s price range. The value upon request description these two new fashions bear will definitely unsettle the common collector, and the least costly mannequin listed within the Andy Warhol assortment (a rose gold mannequin with a black dial) will set you again US$43,400. That is an unique assortment from an unique model, and in consequence one that won’t be produced in excessive portions. It’s, maybe, the worth of perfection, with completely curated stone dials and a posh case form that’s exquisitely completed and, in some situations, gem-set.

Those that buy this watch are actually these much less fussed about chronometry and complication, as a substitute putting larger emphasis on design. The Andy Warhol assortment is on the crossroads of jewelry and watch in some methods, given its form and supplies, with all of the glamour of the model and its namesake creating an air of distinctive persona, particularly do you have to make the most of the Infinitely Private service. Say what you’ll, however it’s plain that formed watches and stone dials are very fashionable proper now, and the Andy Warhol Watch sits on the peak of luxurious inside this section.

Piaget Andy Warhol Watch pricing and availability

The Piaget Andy Warhol Watch Watches and Wonders 2025 novelties can be found now for inquiries. Value: Upon request