Since the late 1950s, Piaget’s specialty has been thin watches. While the coronavirus pandemic-related cancellation of Watches & Wonders prevented them from making a big announcement, they’ve let it be known: With the Altiplano Ultimate Concept, the watchmaker can lay claim to creating the world’s thinnest mechanical timepiece.
The Altiplano Ultimate Concept, or AUC, is a mere 2mm thick—only slightly thicker than a quarter. The luxury watchmaker has been working on it for six years, according to Gear Patrol.
That didn’t mean it was easy to create, Gear Patrol reports:
Piaget largely had to throw out the rulebook governing how a wristwatch is traditionally made in order to bring the Concept to fruition: the old multi-part construction including case back and case, movement, dial, hands and crystal was jettisoned in favor something significantly more sophisticated, svelte — and difficult to execute.
While creating the AUC required reducing so many internal components to their thinnest possible forms, Piaget’s watchmakers still managed to make it a functional, desirable model, with enhancements like a surprisingly long 40-hour power reserve.
Here are some technical details from Piaget’s website:
- Metal: Cobalt alloy
- Metal weight: 14.2 g
- Strap type: Polyamide with a polyurethane coating
- Strap color: Blue
- Strap buckle: Ardillon buckle
- Case shape: Round
- Case diameter: 41 mm
- Case thickness: 2 mm
- Waterproofness: 02 ATM
- Movement: Hand-wound mechanical
Piaget designates this a “novelty, limited series” watch exclusive to its boutiques. And it’s not the kind of thing you buy casually—pricing is available only on request.
Learn more at piaget.com.
