Only a Top Collection for a Top Chef! You will not be disappointed, as Jean-François Piège only chose historic watches. This show is as tasty as the incredible menus of his restaurants.
Since its creation, Piaget established itself as one of the most prestigious watchmaking maisons. Seeking innovation while showing a true artisanal mastery, the Swiss maison produced some of the most memorable timepieces ever, such as the Piaget Polo.
The Piaget Polo watch was released for the first time in 1979. It quickly became a symbol of the casual luxury of the 80s. Worn at the time by celebrities and influential people, the Polo was both a watch and a piece of jewellery that represented the Piaget way of life.
Polo Chrono: a fusion between sport and elegance
The Chronograph version of the Polo combines the sturdiness of a sportive chronograph with the elegance of a watch that blends different geometries. The carefully made dial offers a perfect visibility of the chronometric information, while still having a refined aesthetic. The easily identifiable case – round bezel and cushion-shaped dial – has the pushers of the chronograph harmoniously integrated. As for the bracelet, it beautifully completes the design whether it is leather or steel.
Inside the Polo Chronograph, precision mechanics are visible through the sapphire back case. You can admire the 1160P calibre, an automatic mechanical movement with a date.
Main characteristics
Chronograph Automatic Steel Watch Case diameter: 42 mm Case thickness: 11,2 mm Dial finishing: guilloche Water resistance: 100 metres Functions: Hours, Minutes, Minutes counter at 3 o’clock (30 minutes), Date at 6 o’clock, Chronograph with central seconds, 12 hours counter at 9 o’clock Power reserve: 50 hours Finishing: Circular Côtes de Genève, Circular-grained mainplate, Beveled bridges, Oscillating weight engraved with the Piaget coat of arms, Blued screws on bridges
The Polo Skeleton by Piaget is also one of the most acclaimed Polos as the watchmaking art meetsabsolute transparency.
The way the plates are cut allows the inner architecture of the watch to show fully, displaying the inherent beauty of the mechanics. The Polo Skeleton is a Piaget work of art as each of the handcrafted parts and cogs are visible.
Realizing a skeleton movement requires being an expert in the conception process, but also extremely precise when assembling the different parts. Each piece is as simple as possible while still being functional.
Main Characteristics
Skeleton Automatic Steel Watch Case diameter: 42 mm Case thickness: 6,5 mm Waterproofness: 30 metres Interchangeable strap Finishing: Engraved coat-of-arms, Circular and sunburst satin-brushed wheels, Sunburst satin-brushed plate and bridges, Plate and bridges bevelled, Polished blind tapped screws, bevelled slots, Grey screws on plate and bridges
In this video, Frank is wearing the Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days in titanium. “I must confess that since I have it, I wear it quite often.
It is discreet, ultra-light, and it is so comfortable you forget you are wearing it. To be honest, I sometimes need to play with the light to be able to tell the time, but this is not the watch’s fault, it is my sight!
I wore it through the Geneva Watch Days in Geneva, and I was often asked to try it on! Speak of a power of attraction…”
When it comes to watchmaking history, pioneers, and visionary designs, you cannot skip the Santos de Cartier. Created at the beginning of the 20th century by Louis Cartier for his friend Alberto Santos-Dumont, this watch became more than just a time-measuring instrument, it became an icon and a symbol of adventure and innovation.
Originating from the sky
The history of the Santos watch starts with a friendship between Louis Cartier – famous jewellery maker – and Alberto Santos-Dumont – Brazilian pilot – who asked him for a watch easy to consult during a flight. The very first wristwatch for men was created in 1904. The Santos de Cartier was born.
An iconic design
The distinctive square bezel and the visible screws of the Santos de Cartier used to break through conventions when the watch was created. Despite how simple it looks, it was an avant-garde design, and we can now attest that it stood the test of time. The interchangeable bracelets of the recent models add some modernity to this timeless icon.
For many people, wearing a Santos equals wearing a piece of history, a celebration of creativity and elegance. One more perfect choice by Jean-François Piège.
When it comes to luxury watches with a beautiful story, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak undeniably lies among the most iconic timepieces. It was released in 1972 and has ever since represented a revolution for the watchmaking world with its bold design and an unrivalled quality. Though this reference was first given the cold shoulder by the collectors.
A revolutionary design
The Royal Oak was the first stainless steel luxury sports watch. When luxury objects used to be mainly made of precious metals such as gold, this choice was a true revolution. The octagonal design, inspired by an ancient porthole – or so the legend says – was designed by Gérald Genta in one single night! But what really makes the Royal Oak stand out – apart from its characteristic octagonal shape – are the visible screws on the bezel and the integrated bracelet.
Precision mechanics
The Royal Oak may be beautiful from the outside, it would not have been as successful without a high-precision movement inside. The Royal Oak collection was enhanced by more and more complications over the years, from the simple date to the tourbillion, from the perpetual calendar to the openworked double balance wheel. Celebrities, stars, high performance athletes and fine watchmaking amateurs, all of them adopted the Royal Oak, which became a must have for any collector. Each new edition is eagerly awaited by the brand’s aficionados.
As for the Submariner by Rolex chosen by the Grand Restaurant chef, it is difficult to give an exact price, as it is a collector’s watch whose price depends on the state and on the guaranteed originality of its different parts.
Click here to read the Submariner full technical sheet, published on MyWatch in 2020.
