Piaget, which defines itself as the ‘House of Gold’, has added two new models to its flagship Limelight Gala women’s watch collection, featuring a new type of gold engraving decoration.
The asymmetrical lug design, a signature of the Limelight Gala series that originates from the Maison’s historic Patrimony timepiece from the 1970s, can be seen once again. The elegant curves of the case, resembling a coiled snake, and the simple yet sturdy bracelet combine to create a form that has lost its unique design characteristics despite being reborn in hundreds of versions over more than half a century.
Both versions feature a 32mm pink gold case, one of which is decorated with 42 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 4.74 carats, while the other uses pale pink sapphires and rubies in light tones in addition to diamonds, presenting a color palette never seen before. The process of selecting and setting colored gemstones, taking into account even the gradation effect, is much more difficult and time-consuming than we can imagine. This is only possible because he is a watchmaker and jeweler with extensive know-how.
Both versions feature hand-engraved decorations on the entire gold base, from the bracelet organically integrated into the case to the dial. It offers a different feel from the existing Palace Décor, which represents Piaget’s outstanding goldsmithing skills. Unlike the Palace Décor, which stands out with its linear and delicate striped pattern, the new wave-patterned hand-engraved decoration offers a uniquely elegant feel. It exudes a gentle yet flexible aura, reminiscent of a noble lady’s silk dress invited to a magnificent gala event. It is said that it takes a goldsmith with over ten years of experience over two full days to complete one replica watches in order to engrav the same pattern that continues from the bracelet, clasp, and dial. It is a kind of bespoke piece that requires a lot of work and, due to the nature of the product, cannot help but be limited in production quantity.
And the burgundy color version is finished with the Grand Feu enameling technique, which involves applying several layers of translucent burgundy color enamel over a gold dial decorated with a hand-engraved wave pattern and then firing it in a high-temperature kiln. You can tell at a glance that this is an even more special and rare model.
Common to both versions is the in-house automatic Caliber 501P, developed and produced by the Piaget Manufacture in La Côte-aux-Fées, Switzerland, which debuted in the Limelight Gala Automatic in 2020 (frequency 3 Hz, power reserve approx. 43 hours). It is a simple time-only caliber that displays only hours and minutes on the dial, supports a stop-second (hack) function, and is relatively thin at 3.6 mm, so the case thickness is also slim at 8.91 mm, providing a comfortable fit.
Piaget’s two new Limelight Gala Precious watches are not limited editions, but will be produced in small quantities each year and will only be available at selected Piaget boutiques worldwide. The domestic release prices for both models have not yet been announced.