Altiplano Ultimate Concept: A Microcosm Just 2mm Thick

PIAGET

An Ultra-Thin Watch with Minimized Components and a Redesigned Architecture

[EDITOR’S EYE]

Applause for Piaget's dedication in bringing this concept model to life, even if it seemed an unattainable dream.
We anticipate future creations inspired by this model, a landmark of 21st-century mechanical watchmaking.

As a pioneer in thin watchmaking, Piaget has long been dedicated to its craft. Now, the Altiplano Ultimate Concept, embodying the pinnacle of their watchmaking expertise and achieving an astonishing thinness of just 2 millimeters, has finally been released.

Text by OZAKI Sayaka | Edit by TSUCHIDA Takashi

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At the 2018 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, Piaget unveiled the Altiplano Ultimate Concept, a watch of unprecedented thinness at just 2 millimeters. This concept watch, featuring a movement integrated with the case, a redesigned crown, and an exceptionally thin sapphire crystal, marked a new stage in Piaget's technological innovation.

The question of whether this technically challenging model would actually be produced, and if it would offer a practical proposition on the market, garnered significant attention. However, at Watches and Wonders 2020 (held online), the Altiplano Ultimate Concept, born from trial and error and transcending the realm of experimental micro-engineering, was presented, dispelling such doubts.

This timepiece was developed and manufactured entirely in-house by Piaget's Research and Innovation department. Over the four years of its development, the team discarded conventional thinking and repeatedly rebuilt prototypes to achieve the 2-millimeter thinness. Since 1957, Piaget, renowned as a master of thin watchmaking, adopted the concept of 'integration' in the development of the 900P (3.65mm thick) in 2014 and the 910P (4.3mm thick) in 2018. Both were the world's thinnest mechanical watches at the time, successfully milling the case, case back, and mainplate from a single block of gold and housing three components within a single case.

The Altiplano Ultimate Concept, despite its extreme thinness, is robust enough to withstand the G-force pressures experienced by fighter jets during acrobatic maneuvers. Furthermore, its mere 2-millimeter thin body houses 283 components, utilizing microscopic parts to achieve ultimate thinness. Despite this, Piaget's stringent standards for precision, reliability, and robustness are rigorously maintained.

The movement is finished by Piaget's artisans with sunray brushing, satin finishing, and chamfering and polishing of the bridges, while the case and mainplate feature a sophisticated PVD treatment for aesthetic enhancement. To maintain thinness and practicality, specially thin alligator leather and blue Baltimora straps were also developed.

What further elevates this watch to rare status is its customization service, tailored to each client's individual needs. Owners can select the color of the bridges and dial, the finishing of the hands and mainplate, and a strap that complements their skin tone, offering a wide array of choices from approximately 10,000 possible combinations. It is truly possible to create a one-of-a-kind, personal timepiece.