Piaget Altiplano or blanc
- excellent comfort
- originality
- manufacture’s movement
- waterproof only to water scalding
- the Piaget’s signature at 3 o’clock that some will find a little too obvious
- the lack of bevel regarding the movement.
| Brand | Piaget |
| Model name | Altiplano or blanc |
| Reference | G0A33112 |
| Case material | White gold |
| Case diameter (without crown) | 40 mm |
| Case diameter (crown included) | 42 mm |
| Caliber | Piaget 838P |
| Base Caliber | Manufacture |
| Functions | Hour Minute Second |
| Crystal | Dual-face crystal with anti-reflective coating |
| Power reserve | 62h |
| Transparent back | Yes |
| Lug width | 21 mm |
| Length from lug to lug | 44,27 mm |
| Case thickness | 6,81 mm |
| Strap material | Alligator |
| Clasp type | Pin buckle |
| Clasp material | White gold |
| Total weight | 65 grammes |
| Retail price USA at August 31st, 2010 | $12,300.00 |
| Comfort (/15) | 15 |
| Movement (/20) | 13 |
| Movement Optimisation / Garnishment (/5) | 4 |
| Ease of handling and adjustment (/5) | 5 |
| Movement control proceeded by the Manufacture / horlogical awards (/3) | 1 |
| Power reserve (/2) | 1 |
| Complications (/5) | 2 |
| Finishing (/20) | 16.5 |
| Dial finishing (/6) | 5 |
| Case finishing (/6) | 5 |
| Quality of garnishment / caseback engraving quality (/2) | 1.5 |
| Crystal quality (/4) | 3 |
| Clasp finishing (inner and extern) (/2) | 2 |
| Functionality (/20) | 12 |
| Diurnal legibility (/5) | 5 |
| Night legibility (/4) | 0 |
| Water resistance (/3) | 0 |
| Strap : ease of size adjustment + ease of substitution (/4) | 3 |
| Clasp : quality and safety (/4) | 4 |
| Additional items (/10) | 4 |
| Limited edition (/3) | 0 |
| Watch delivered with several straps (/2) | 0 |
| Quality of the watch box (/1) | 1 |
| Portability with shirtsleeves buttoned (/2) | 2 |
| Goodies included (/1) | 0 |
| Understandability of the brochure (/1) | 1 |
| Value for money (/15) | 15 |
| When to wear it ? | For the Cannes Festival! |
Piaget: A brand to be (re) discover
The brand Piaget is more known for its jeweler’s creations rather than for its watches.
Which is a shame for a manufacture that started in 1874 by producing watches movements.
Even if it is not well known by the general public, Piaget is not a “jeweler that draws watches” but is really one of the “most famous” Swiss manufactures.
Besides, the firm holds a real statecraft regarding the ultra-thin watches, with notably the world’s thinness record gained in 1957 thanks to the 9P caliber (2mm thickness).
A classical yet not boring watch
The problem with smart watches, is that their sobriety makes them look similar to each other.
Hence a kind of “boredom” that can be felt with this kind of model.
This is not the case with the Altiplano which strong point is to succeed keeping a touch of originality while remaining conformed to the “codes” of the category.
As it is required for a “smart” watch, its 40 mm diameter is reasonable (considering what is done these days!).
But its large dial’s openness allows it not to look too small and emphasizes its thinness.
With a 6,81 mm thickness on the center (and much lesser on the edges), the visual effects are striking!
Wearing this extra-thin Altiplano is by the way quite surprising: because of its thinness and its lightness, you don’t feel the watch around your wrist!
This feeling may surprise some. But the comfort is unequalled!
The movement: Cal. Piaget 838P
The 838P caliber only measures 2,5 mm thick (to the contrary to 5 mm thickness for a standard manual movement)
Its finishing is nice with gorgeous flamed blued screws, rounded “Côtes de Genève” and a beautiful engraved logo.
The “industrial” side remains nevertheless a little bit present: in particular, the bevel could be a little improved.
The dial
The black rhodium hands and markers are uncluttered to the utmost.
But the little second, swerved at 11 o’clock (a position that is not really common for a little second), debauches a little the whole and avoids the overdose of classicism.
Another “eccentricity”, the logo, at 3 o’clock revitalizes the dial and allows showing the “signature” at the edge of the sleeve.
This originality gives a pleasant balance to the dial but can displease those who do not want to put forward the brands they wear.
What to remember
This Piaget Altiplano is an endearing and very recommendable timepiece: classic without being too much conservative, it offers very high-level watch making performances while being sold at a “competitive” price (lower of several thousands Euros compared to the majority of its direct competitors).