Regular readers will know that we like noting the work of master enamellist Anita Porchet, and today’s special collection of four Altiplano Moonphase High Jewellery Zodiaque again feature her work, but in a more unexpected than many that we’ve covered previously.

The moon phase complication enters the Altiplano collection with the new Altiplano Moonphase (we will mention the ‘entry’ models later) and this métiers d’art collection quartet.

Each of the four 36mm sized models has dials with an upper half in translucent blue enamel and gold featuring a Chinese constellation represented by small white dots and precious stones outlined on an enamel sky created by Porchet. The dials took two years of development.

Beneath this depiction of the sky are moon rays made of graduated diamonds, sapphires, and garnets set on the lower-half of the gold dial. The moon is framed with a gold ring set with diamonds in a crescent shape.

Each constellation is associated with one of the four seasons and elements, and luminous in the dark. The Azure Dragon stands for the east and is associated with Spring and wood, the Vermillion Bird is the south, summer and fire, the White Tiger is west, autumn and metal; and the Tortoise is the north, winter, and water.

Let’s look at the specs for each of the four new pieces.

First up, the Azure Dragon. The 36mm case is 18K white gold set with 48 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 1.63 cts) and 12 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.11 ct). The 18K gold dial is engraved with Palace decoration, has enamel, 44 brilliant-cut sapphires (approx. 0.21 ct), 38 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.22 ct), two brilliant-cut yellow diamonds (approx. 0.01 ct), two brilliant-cut tsavorites (approx. 0.02 ct), two brilliant-cut rubies (approx. 0.01 ct), and two brilliant-cut orange spessartites (approx. 0.01 ct).

Its crown is set with a sapphire glass engraved with a P. Through the open case back you can see the automatic Calibre 580P Altiplano movement, which has a deep blue lacquered moon-shaped oscillating weight.

Coming on an interchangeable strap with a buckle set with 14 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.09 ct), there are only eight numbered pieces in this edition.

The Vermillion Bird is also in an 18K white gold 36mm sized case set with set with 48 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 1.63 cts) and 12 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.11 ct). The 18K gold dial is engraved with Palace decoration, has enamel, 68 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.28 ct), seven brilliant-cut pink sapphires (approx. 0.08 ct), seven brilliant-cut rubies (approx. 0.07 ct), two brilliant-cut sapphires (approx. 0.01 ct), two brilliant-cut yellow diamonds (approx. 0.01 ct), two brilliant-cut tsavorites (approx. 0.01 ct), and two brilliant-cut orange spessartites (approx. 0.01 ct). Its crown is also set with a sapphire glass engraved with a P.

The movement is the same as for the Azure Dragon, and the strap and buckle have the same specifications as well. It is also in a limited and numbered edition of eight pieces.

The third piece is the White Tiger. This 36mm case is in 18k rose gold, set with 48 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 1.63 cts) and 12 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.11 ct). Its 18K gold dial is engraved with Palace decoration, has enamel, 80 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.41 ct), two brilliant-cut rubies (approx. 0.01 ct), two brilliant-cut sapphires (approx. 0.01 ct), two brilliant-cut yellow diamonds (approx. 0.01 ct), two brilliant-cut tsavorites (approx. 0.02 ct) and two brilliant-cut orange spessartites (approx. 0.01 ct). Once again, the crown is set with a sapphire glass engraved with a P.

The movement and strap are the same as for the other two models, and it is also in a limited edition of eight numbered pieces.

Lastly, we have the White Tortoise. It is also in an 18K rose gold case set with 48 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 1.63 cts) and 12 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.11 ct). Its 18K gold dial is engraved with Palace decoration, has enamel, 50 brilliant-cut sapphires (approx. 0.28 ct), 32 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.19 ct), two brilliant-cut yellow diamonds (approx. 0.01 ct), two brilliant-cut tsavorites (approx. 0.02 ct), two brilliant-cut rubies (approx. 0.01 ct) and two brilliant-cut orange spessartites (approx. 0.01 ct). Once again, the crown is set with a sapphire glass engraved with a P.

The movement is the same, and the strap also has a buckle set with 14 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.09 ct). As you would have expected, it is also in a limited edition of eight individually numbered timepieces.

The prices of these new Altiplano Moonphase High Jewellery Zodiaque are POA.

[Photo credit: Piaget]

Categories: Limited Editions, Piaget, watches, Women's watches

Tags: moonphase