Piaget - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO Hong Kong Monday, May 30, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Piaget
    Year: 1972
    Reference No: 14105
    Movement No: 721'566
    Case No: 214'179
    Material: 18k white gold, diamonds and sapphires
    Calibre: Quartz, Beta 21
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k white gold Piaget bracelet, 140 mm. maximum length
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k white gold Piaget folding clasp stamped Piaget
    Dimensions: 34 mm. width
    Signed: Case and movement signed
    Accessories: With Piaget fitted presentation box.
    Literature: For another example of a diamond-set 'Beta 21' wristwatch however with diamond-set bracelet, please see Piaget by Cologni, Negretti and Nencini, page 159.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Quartz movement was first invented in 1928 by Bell Labs, and was mainly used for practical purposes such as time keeping in laboratories. It was only until the 1970s that Quartz movements were regularly used in wristwatches.

    The Beta-21 was first created in 1969, and made its debut during Basel later that year. At the time, the Beta-21 was revolutionary as it was the most accurate quartz movement to be offered on the market - the movement was accurate to 5 seconds per month. Due to the movement's large and bulky size, watchmakers soon developed their own in house movements and gradually moved away from the Beta-21.

    Today, watches fitted with the Beta-21 have increased in popularity and collectability as they represent a very important moment in the history of watchmaking. The present watch by Piaget houses the Beta-21 in its substantial watch case. Embellished with sapphires and over 156 brilliant-cut diamonds, the watch also features a beautiful textured bracelet - a hallmark of Piaget's great craftsmanship.

  • Artist Biography

    Piaget

    Swiss • 1874

    Creativity, audacity and know-how are the values that gave Piaget its international reputation and allowed the brand to distinguish itself in the world of fine watchmaking and precision. Founder Georges Edouard Piaget established the company in 1874 and manufactured watch movements. While Piaget is famously recognized today for their elaborate wristwatch and bangle designs, they also mastered the marriage of their high-quality, in-house-produced wristwatches and stunning pieces of jewelry.

    Collectors consider the 1970s as Piaget's era of superb creativity and unbounded designs. During this highly creative period, the brand designed an impressive range of cuff and bracelet watches carved in gold and adorned with exotic hard stones. Admired by most as not only jewelry but also true works of art, the firm's hard stone dial watches remain the most iconic, recognizable and desirable among collectors.

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Ref. 14105
A fine and very rare white gold, diamond and sapphire-set rectangular bracelet watch with 'Beta 21' movement and fitted presentation box

1972
34 mm. width
Case and movement signed

Estimate
HK$230,000 - 400,000 

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO

Hong Kong Auction 31 May 2016