Piaget | Watches and jewellery for sale, auction results and history

Piaget was founded by Georges-Edouard Piaget in 1874 in the Swiss village of La Côte-aux-Fées. It is now one of the most famous names in luxury watchmaking and has established a reputation for excellent craftsmanship, elegant design and ultra-thin movements.

Piaget’s love affair with watchmaking began in childhood. He opened his first workshop on his family’s farm at the age of 19. He devoted himself to producing pocket watches and high-precision clock movements. In 1911, Georges-Edouard’s son took over the flourishing family business. He transformed it from a manufacturer of movements to a creator of luxury wristwatches and pocket watches. Under the guidance of the founder’s grandsons, Gérald and Valentin Piaget, the brand further expanded its product range. In the 1950s and 1960s, Piaget introduced luxury jewellery and its signature ultra-thin design.

The launch of the ultra-thin, hand-wound 9P calibre in 1957 cemented Piaget’s reputation for excellence and technical innovation. In 1959, Piaget presented its first luxury jewellery collection at the Salon Piaget in Geneva. The first Piaget watch with ornamental stones set into the dial was released in 1963. The sleek design of these watches soon attracted the attention of royalty, socialites and Hollywood stars including Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren and Jackie Kennedy.

By the 1980s, Piaget was synonymous with elegance, luxury and beautiful people. Its association with polo further reinforced this. The first Piaget Polo watch appeared in 1979 and was instantly popular. It remains one of the most recognisable Piaget gold watches. The brand’s success continued throughout the 1990s and '00s. In addition to launching new watches such as the ultra-thin Altiplano, Piaget reimagined old styles including the highly desirable Piaget Emperador. Piaget also reinterpreted iconic jewelled pieces such as the Piaget possession ring.

Today, Piaget diamond watches are known to command high sums at auction. In 2010, a signed Piaget diamond watch made $602,500, a record Piaget watch price at Christie’s. Vintage Piaget watches and Piaget women’s watches also do well. Christie’s has also offered Piaget jewellery, including bracelets, rings and necklaces.