Fashion of the 1970s experienced a period of upheaval and change reflecting a shift in both social and cultural trends, moving from the mod fashion of the 1960s to a bohemian-influenced style, alongside the glam of the disco era. One of the most recognizable trends was large, bold accessories from eyewear to jewellery focused on craftsmanship with textured and woven handcrafted goldwork. Piaget was at the forefront of this new design aesthetic and their ladies’ bracelet and cuff watches from the early 1970s became status symbols for the jet set, worn by superstars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, and Andy Warhol.
The reference 9852 perfectly captures the exuberance of this remarkable era. Piaget released the model at Basel in 1970 for a young Avant garde clientele who wanted to stand out for their fashionable panache. The model was offered with a variety of stone dials, from mother-of-pearl, onyx, coral, and like the present model, lapis lazuli. These dials perfectly complement the wonderful goldwork of the textured case and elegant openwork bracelet, adding an air of sophisticated glamour.
The present bracelet watch is in excellent overall condition with a well-preserved and flawless lapis lazuli dial. The watch has an interesting and possibly unique feature when compared to other similar models where the dial has been rotated 90 degrees so that the 12 o’clock is now at the crown position. While the decision for this design feature cannot be known for certain, this was probably a special request by a client. The timepiece is beautifully constructed with the off-center placement of the dial giving this work of art an elegant touch.