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Piaget's 150th Anniversary: Defining the Art of Jewellery Watches

Piaget, the renowned Swiss watchmaker, and jeweller, celebrates its 150th anniversary with an extraordinary homage to its iconic 21st Century Collection from 1969. The milestone Essence of the Extravaganza collection—comprising both high jewellery and timepieces—showcases the brand's unparalleled craftsmanship, innovation, and unique position at the intersection of watches, jewellery, and fashion.


A Legacy of Defining Jewelry Watches

Jewellery watches, though not invented by Piaget, have become synonymous with the brand. Their origins date back to the 1500s when Swiss watchmakers combined precious metals with timekeeping innovations to circumvent Europe’s restrictions on jewellery. By the early 20th century, jewellery watches evolved through the Art Deco period, bringing diamonds, platinum, and ornate design into focus.

Fast forward to 1969, a pivotal year in Piaget's history. Inspired by the youth-driven creativity of London's Swinging Sixties and Parisian haute couture, Piaget redefined watchmaking with its 21st Century Collection. By sending its designers to the front rows of Paris Fashion Week, the brand embraced the fusion of fashion and timekeeping, designing watches as integral parts of high-fashion ensembles.


An archival image of a Piaget necklace watch worn on a model. The brand launched its 21st Century Collection in 1969 with an eye on the youth and culture movements happening in Paris and London.

An archival image of a Piaget gold belt worn with a Pierre Cardin look. The brand sent its designers to Paris Fashion Week to observe runways and design pieces with a distinct fashion point of view, something unheard of for a watch or jewellery brand at the time.

Essence of Extravaganza: A Modern Tribute

For its 150th anniversary, Piaget revisits this groundbreaking moment with the Essence of Extravaganza collection, first unveiled at Paris Couture Week before traveling to Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, and Seoul. This collection honors Piaget’s heritage and reimagines it for contemporary collectors.

Among the highlights are stunning timepieces featuring hard stone dials—a Piaget signature—crafted from malachite, lapis lazuli, tiger's eye, coral, and turquoise. Each stone is meticulously cut, requiring up to a hundred attempts to find the perfect slice for the delicate dial. These dials are then paired with gold mesh bracelets, intricate enamelwork, and vibrant gemstones, creating watches that double as high jewellery masterpieces.


1. Gold-Fringed Cuff: A striking watch with turquoise beads and a matching turquoise dial partially hidden by gold fringe, blending artistry and functionality.

A fringed gold and turquoise watch from Piaget’s 150th anniversary collection.

2. Chevron Mesh Cuff: Featuring articulated gold, blue lacquer, and asymmetrical fringe, this design reinterprets Piaget’s archival Polish Mesh motif.

This is an exclusive look at Piaget’s Essence of Extraleganza knitted gold cuff watch, part of the brand’s 150th anniversary high jewellery and watch collection. An interpretation of a popular archival piece, the Polish Mesh, it boasts articulated gold in a chevron mesh design with shades of applied blue lacquer (a first for the brand in high jewellery). The timepiece also includes a full integration of the design on both the dial and the bracelet and flexible, asymmetrical fringe.

3. Turquoise and Malachite Bib Necklace: A bold statement piece showcasing beads, diamonds, yellow sapphire, aquamarine, and an upside-down watch pendant—a nod to the covert watch necklaces of the past.


One of Piaget’s showpieces from the Essence of Extraleganza high jewelry and watch collection celebrating its 150th anniversary. The necklace watch has turquoise and malachite beads, a cushion cut yellow sapphire, and aquamarine in an upside-down dial reflecting archival pieces from its groundbreaking collection from 1969.

4. Gold and Tiger’s Eye Bracelet: A seamless blend of wood-inspired gold engraving and a tiger’s eye dial, paired with a flexible gold bracelet for the first time.


Piaget’s gold-engraved watch has a tiger’s eye dial and a wood-inspired gold motif. For the first time, it is paired with a flexible gold bracelet, inspired by a vintage cuff.

5. Emerald-Encrusted Enamel Dial: A wristwatch adorned with 40 Colombian emeralds and emerald-cut diamonds, emphasizing Piaget's mastery of materials and precision.



Innovation Rooted in Tradition

Piaget CEO Benjamin Comar underscores the brand’s approach: “We are not following trends; we are building collections that will be timeless. If our pieces are strong now, they will remain so in the future.” With over 1,200 heritage pieces in its archives, Piaget remains committed to pushing boundaries while respecting its legacy.


The Essence of Extravaganza collection’s international tour reflects Piaget’s dedication to celebrating culture and craftsmanship worldwide. From Paris to Shanghai, Abu Dhabi to Seoul, Piaget highlights its enduring relevance in high jewellery, watchmaking, and global fashion.


Piaget’s 150th anniversary is a testament to its vision, artistry, and pioneering role in defining the jewellery watch. By blending bold vintage aesthetics with contemporary craftsmanship, the Essence of Extravaganza collection ensures Piaget remains at the forefront of both luxury design and horology.






Author: Jinal Prajapati





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