The Altiplano Ultimate Concept - the thinnest mechanical watch on the market - was developed entirely in-house by Piaget's dedicated Research and Innovation division. The teams worked on this project for six years during which many of the established codes of watchmaking were re-invented.
 

This exceptional watch measures a mere 2mm including case and sapphire crystal. “The initial concept to create this watch came from a crazy and wonderful idea that we had when we were celebrating the 60 years anniversary of the 9P caliber which was only 2mm thin” said Chabi Nouri, CEO of Piaget. The Altiplano Ultimate Concept served as a stage for numerous innovations, including the case being part of the movement, an integrated winding crown, an ultra-thin crystal and more importantly new constructions for the barrel and the energy regulation.
 

With the Altiplano Ultimate Concept, the idea was to create a watch not formed by multiple layers, but from a previously untried fusion of re-scaled components, combining the case and the movement as a whole. In order to do this, Piaget embarked on a journey of miniaturisation that resulted in the filing of no fewer than five patents and that led to this 2mm-thin hand-wound watch, with wheels as thin as 0.12mm and the sapphire crystal down to a mere 0.2mm.

The Altiplano Ultimate Concept therefore continues the Maison's great tradition in the art of ultra-thin watchmaking.
 

During the GPHG ceremony, Chabi Nouri thanked the watchmakers, engineers and craftsmen who brought this watch to life. She added “Nothing is ever impossible at Piaget thanks to our amazing Piaget family who live by the moto “Always do better than necessary”.

Receiving this watch prize is such an honour for Piaget. It is a celebration of the Maison’s savoir-faire and expertise. These rare and exceptional skills have been preserved and perpetuated since 1874 thanks to the Maison’s craftsmen and women.

(Images © Piaget)