Piaget’s 8.24 mm Altiplano Chronograph

Earlier this year, at SIHH, Piaget has presented the incredibly thin Altiplano 38 mm 900P, powered by Calibre 9P that is only 2 mm thin. For the 2015 SIHH, Piaget is continuing in the same vein, announcing the Altiplano Chronograph, powered by the world thinest hand-wound flyback chronograph movement, the 883P, measuring only 4.65 mm.

The 883P hand-wound chronograph is a newcomer to the 37 other Piaget movements developed in-house. It is the result of more than two years of development at Piaget’s La Côte-aux-Fées manufacture. Slimness was the ultimate goal, achieved trough the slender proportions of the cannon-pinion (0.12 mm), the barrel staff (0.115 mm), the chronograph gear finger (0.06 mm), as well as for the finesse of the dial, of the hand fittings and of the glass fastening.

Piager Altiplano Chronograph

The end result is an 883P calibre endowed with a 50-hour power reserve and driving displays of the hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock, along with a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a 24-hour dual-time indication at 9 o’clock. It is also distinguished by its flyback function serving to reset the chronograph hands to zero simply by pressing them and then automatically restarting a new timing cycle. Moreover, the chronograph is controlled by a column-wheel responsible for coordinating all its phases, and by a vertical coupling-clutch system ensuring perfect precision.

Piaget 883P – World’s thinnest hand-wound flyback chronograph
movement: 4.65mm and the slim profile of the Altiplano Chronograph.

Such an outstanding mechanical marvel deserved and received proper attention in its finishing: circular Côtes de Genève, a circular-grained mainplate, bevelled bridges, sunburst wheels and blued screws, all visible thanks to the transparent case-back.

The two versions of the Piaget Altiplano Chronograph, rose gold and white gold, decorated with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 1.8 cts).

The 41 mm/8.24 mm ultra-thin case of the Altiplano Chronograph is either crafted from rose gold, or from white gold. The white gold version is offered with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds (approximately 1.8 carats), to satisfy the more extravagant tastes.

The dial features a sunburst satin-brushed finish, with slender baton-type hands sweeping over slim alternating single and double hour-markers – the signature style of Altiplano models.

The quest for purity is reflected in the counters that are not hollowed as is usually the case, but instead appear on the same level as the rest of the dial.

The Altiplano is expected to be available next fall with a starting price of $29,000. More about Piaget at www.piaget.com

The back of the pink gold and the white gold Piaget Altiplano Chronograph.