Dear Friends of IWS, When one thinks of the art of time, few names evoke such a perfect fusion of creativity, innovation and style as Piaget. For decades, the Swiss Maison has embodied luxury and excellent craftsmanship, such as the mastery of working with ductile metals like gold, while managing to intertwine its creations with cultural and artistic history. This is particularly evident in the unique relationship with Andy Warhol, a visionary artist and pop icon who redefined the cultural landscape of the 20th century.

The joint venture between Piaget and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, celebrates this bond with the launch of the new Piaget Andy Warhol Clou de Paris, a contemporary reinterpretation of an iconic watch design from the 1970s. More than just a timepiece, this model is a tribute to the friendship between Warhol and the maison, a wrist-worn work of art that combines craftsmanship, technical innovation, and unprecedented personalization possibilities.

The collaboration between Piaget and Andy Warhol traces its roots back to 1973, when the artist purchased the first of his seven watches from the maison: a Black Tie model with the revolutionary Beta21 movement.

This passion for Piaget soon turned into a genuine friendship with Yves Piaget, which would lead Warhol to become one of the most celebrated members of the Piaget Society, attending exclusive and glamorous events from New York to Palm Beach, via the legendary Studio 54.

Warhol’s influence on modern culture and art was reflected in his ability to elevate everyday objects into design icons, a vision shared by Piaget in combining functionality and beauty in timeless creations. Now, through a partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation, this connection is formally celebrated with a watch that bears the artist’s name and embodies his bold, visionary aesthetic.

The New Piaget Andy Warhol Clou de Paris

The Andy Warhol Clou de Paris watch is distinguished by a contemporary reinterpretation of the original design. The model sports a 45 mm white gold “coussin” case embellished with the Clou de Paris pattern, one of watchmaking’s most elegant and complex decorations. This guilloché pattern, composed of small pyramids with a square base, has been adapted with extreme precision to the curved surface of the case.

Realizing this decoration took Ateliers de l’Extraordinaire a full 10 months of work, as it was essential to preserve the play of light and the refined artistic quality of the original gadroon motif, while maintaining a modern and innovative rendering.

Taking center stage, the blue meteorite dial lends a unique touch. This rare and distinctive material, made from fragments of the prehistoric Gibeon meteorite and reserved by Piaget for its most extraordinary creations, features unique reflections that recall the house’s talent for using ornamental stones. Dauphine-style hands and fine, elegant hour markers complete the design with a vintage feel, paying homage to the original Black Tie style.

Bringing this new and exclusive watch to life, we find Piaget’s 501P1 automatic caliber. The list price of this creation of the maison, which bears the name of one of the most important artists of all time, is EUR 56,000.

The customizations of the new Piaget Andy Warhol

The new Andy Warhol Clou de Paris is also an example of Piaget’s commitment to personalization. Thanks to the Made to Order service, the watch can also be requested by choosing from different dials with stones (malachite, turquoise, and the never-before-seen hawk’s eye, as well as a meteorite version), pink or white gold cases, different leather straps, and dauphine or baton spheres. This flexibility allows watch enthusiasts to express their personalities, creating a personalized work of art to wear.

Also in these customizable versions, we find the 501P1 manufacture automatic movement, a guarantee of precision and reliability that combines modern technology with classic aesthetics. Piaget, known for its ultra-flat movements introduced in the 1950s, continues to demonstrate its commitment to technical excellence and craftsmanship.

The Andy Warhol watch is not just a timepiece, but a bridge between the past and the future. It revives the cultural legacy and unique relationship between Andy Warhol and Piaget, celebrating a shared vision of art and beauty.

Piaget has always embodied bold creativity, transforming precious materials into works of art that defy convention. The possibility of personalization offered by the Infinitely Personal service, launched in the 1950s and now revitalized, further extends this tradition, making each watch a unique and personal piece.

Conclusions

Andy Warhol once said, “A work of art is something that can make you happy, just by looking at it.” With the Andy Warhol Clou de Paris, Piaget proves that watchmaking can be much more than a mechanism for measuring time. It is an aesthetic experience, a tribute to art, and a symbol of timeless elegance.

With this new collaboration, Piaget not only celebrates a historic connection, but also redefines the very idea of luxury and design, offering fans the opportunity to own a piece of history that perfectly embodies the visionary spirit of Andy Warhol.

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