202 Piaget A very fine, rare and attractive, Beta 21, rectangular shape wristwatch in white gold and diamond, diamond sapphire dial, and diamond set bracelet.

Estimate: € 30.000 –⁠ 60.000

By the early 1970s, the Swiss watchmaking industry found itself at a crossroads. The emergence of quartz technology sent shockwaves through the traditional world of mechanical horology, forcing even the most storied maisons to adapt or risk obsolescence. For Piaget, however, innovation was second nature. Already celebrated for its mastery of ultra-thin movements and daring, avant-garde designs, the manufacture saw the changing tides not as a threat, but as an opportunity. As an integral player in the Centre Electronique Horloger (CEH)—the pioneering research consortium responsible for developing Switzerland’s first commercially available quartz movement—Piaget was at the vanguard of this technological revolution. In 1970, the brand proudly unveiled its first timepiece housing the groundbreaking Beta 21 caliber, a movement that represented Switzerland’s bold answer to the quartz challenge. Far from a mere technical exercise, Piaget’s interpretation of this new era was as much about aesthetics as it was about mechanics. True to its DNA, the maison infused its Beta 21 creations with an unmistakable sense of luxury, pairing cutting-edge innovation with an opulence that was distinctly Piaget. In a rare departure from its signature ultra-thin designs, Piaget was compelled to embrace larger proportions to house the substantial quartz Beta 21 caliber. The result is a masterfully crafted white-gold case, in a three-part case structure adorned with an intricate array of diamonds. The dial is a true marvel, also inlaid with brilliant-cut diamonds finely placed next to each other to create a beautiful pavé finish; eight sapphires, two per each cardinal hour, are set vertically to each other, uniquely balancing the dial. The extreme allure and refinement this watch exudes is only further enhanced by the exquisite white gold and diamonds bracelet. In true Piaget style, the present timepiece is a testament to the brand’s dedication to both artistry and technical precision.