In 2012, during the Lunar New Year, Piaget celebrated the Year of the Dragon by introducing a special collection of outstanding timepieces. As the 12-year cycle restarts, Piaget brings back the spirit of bold creativity, remarkable sophistication, and unexpected beauty for a unique Lunar New Year capsule collection dedicated to the Dragon & Phoenix magnetic energies.
The Dragon, a symbol of power, strength, and prosperity, is highly revered in Chinese culture. For Piaget’s 2012 Lunar New Year collection, the Maison created 24 references, including high watchmaking complications, Metiers d’Art timepieces, and High Jewellery secret watches. Each year thereafter, beautifully crafted watches in minimal tones paid homage to the zodiac sign.
Now, marking the beginning of another 12-year cycle, Piaget introduces a spectacular new capsule collection that pays tribute to the Dragon and Phoenix. These Chinese symbols represent masculinity and femininity, strength and power, hope and rebirth, ultimate harmony, and balance. The collection features 10 bold designs of exceptional watches and High Jewellery pieces, including a pair of extravagant made-to-order High Jewellery cuff watches. Each creation brims with emotion and joyfully channels the Maison’s codes while celebrating Metiers d’Art and watchmaking savoir-faire.
Since 2006, enameling master Anita Porchet has collaborated with Piaget, bringing her unrivaled expertise in creating miniature enamel touches. Porchet has been behind Piaget’s annual Lunar New Year watches, and now two 38mm Altiplano Zodiac references take on a modern and lively expression. Limited to 38 pieces each, the dials depict an elegant blue Dragon or a mix of red, pink, and orange hues for the Phoenix soaring among the clouds, crafted from white and grey mother of pearl. Porchet’s masterful enameling and play of light, shadow, and transparency bring the scene to life. Gold engraving enhances the Dragon’s scales and the Phoenix’s plumage, adding depth. The watches’ expert execution evokes wonder and awe, offering universal appeal beyond classic Chinese symbols. A bold and colorful new set that introduces a fresh style.
Four new High Jewelry watches continue the theme. A 41mm Altiplano High Jewelry Dragon watch features Porchet’s fine paillonné enamelwork complementing a gold-engraved Dragon with exquisite, powerful detail. The Dragon, with red lacquered eyes and clasping a mystical black opal fireball, radiates from a stunning sunburst engraving. Diamonds adorn the lugs and bezel, and the watch runs on Piaget’s historic 830P Manufacture ultra-thin, hand-wound mechanical movement, limited to eight numbered editions.
The Dragon motif also appears on a new Piaget Emperador watch with a flying tourbillon. The gold-engraved Dragon winds sensually around the case and onto the dial, with snow-set sapphires and diamonds evoking a twinkling, starry blue sky. This 46.5mm watch epitomizes Piaget as a flamboyant blend of high watchmaking and inspired jewelry, a work of unexpected beauty.
Two Phoenix High Jewelry watches offer a feminine, precious interpretation. A 32mm watch adorned with marquise and brilliant-cut diamonds in an asymmetrical motif is paired with a gold bracelet in the Decor Palace finish. Another model in ruby and white gold is limited to eight pieces each.
For the first time, the capsule collection includes high jewelry creations: a unique Dragon brooch and ring, and two Phoenix ear cuffs. A 4.02ct cushion-cut Mozambique ruby is the centerpiece of the bold signet ring, complemented by spessartite and spinels, baguette-cut diamonds, and gold engraving. The Dragon brooch encircles three incredible stones – yellow sapphire, spessartite, and spinel – with round-cut rubies, spessarites, and spinels. Ear cuffs, echoing the two Phoenix jewelry watches, come in either a diamond and rose gold mix, or ruby and white gold, with marquise, pear, and brilliant-cut diamonds.
Two made-to-order High Jewelry cuff watches add a final touch. An audacious Dragon cuff fringed in onyx with diamonds embraces a watch dial and a black opal cabochon. An engraved gold Phoenix cuff with a rubellite cabochon is draped with pink rubies, pink sapphires, and cobalt spinels. Both cuffs are unique, allowing clients to customize finishes and stones.
Brimming with energy, emotion, and a playful irreverence, the capsule collection heralds a new cycle of the Chinese zodiac, showcasing a watchmaking and high jewelry Maison pushing the boundaries of creativity and daring while mastering its house codes.