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Piaget Altiplano Mécanique Limited Edition, 1990s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Piaget (maker)
Date
1990s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 33 mm
Stock no.
40991516
Credit line
Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (40991516)
Catalogue title (original)
Piaget Altiplano Mécanique Limited Edition (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number 40991516), this is a wristwatch by Piaget, made in Switzerland, dated 1990s. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 33 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

Designing a simple watch that stands out from the pack without being outlandish is a formidable task. Indeed, most designs come up short. But not so this example from Piaget, makers of some of the world’s best ultra-thin watches. This piece - an Altiplano Méchanique Power Reserve dates from the 1990s and highlights the best of Piaget's prowess in watchmaking and their mastery of subtle design in a svelte package that hits far above its weight class. It features a tidy 33mm yellow gold case, sapphire crystal, signed crown and a polished bezel. Its silver toned dial features printed ‘Roman’ indices, a power reserve indicator at 10 o’clock, a gold dauphine handset and a numbered plate at 6 o’clock denoting its position in a numbered edition of only 120 produced. Adding a bit more of a personalized touch, this Piaget also has a custom engraved caseback to a ‘Mr. Angeles Joaquin'. Powered by the ultra-thin hand-wound Calibre 229P lever movement, and paired to a handsome signed brown alligator strap with a signed yellow gold pin buckle, this incredible timepiece is suitable for most wrists and makes for a statement dress watch for the discerning collector. Horologically interesting and positively beautiful to behold, it checks all the boxes!

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Detached lever escapementIdentification Centre

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