Here we have a 1960s Piaget Altiplano wristwatch, reference 903. It has the 31.5mm wide, ultra-thin case which is formed of 18ct yellow gold. The dial has the silver brushed satin sunburst, with elongated gold baton hour markers. It has the simple ‘Piaget’ signing below 12, with ‘Swiss’ below 6 o’clock. The thin gold hands are of index style, displaying just the hours and minutes. The crown is simple and small with the plain face. The snap-on case back has the circular brushed sunburst finish. Inside it is signed with the branding, reference number and Swiss hallmarking for 18ct gold. The movement is the famous Piaget 9P which is an ultra-thin movement with a depth of just 2mm. It has been recently serviced and is keeping excellent time. The watch also comes on a Piaget leather strap with gold plated buckle.

The Altiplano
The Piaget ‘Altiplano’ model was introduced in 1957 and drew significant fanfare due to the movement which powered it, the 9P. This was an ultra-thin manual wind movement which was just 2mm thick. This marked a significant milestone in the pursuit of ultra-thin designs and enabled Piaget to be the pre-eminent force in this feat.

The Altiplano name was inspired by the Altiplano plateau in the Andes mountain range, which is the most extensive high-altitude plateau on earth, outside of Tibet.

It was designed with a minimalist approach, befitting an elegant dress aesthetic. This, twinned with the ultra-thin movement, made these watches some of the most streamlined dress pieces produced.

The line has such a legacy within watchmaking history that the collection continues today, holding many records for Piaget’s ultra-thin design. The Altiplano Ultimate Concept was introduced in 2018, which is just 2mm thick in total.

People often question why would a maker try to produce an ultra-thin watch? These artisans would counter, why not? The reward comes from being able to carry out such a feat, due to it being theoretically and technically difficult.

The watch
The dial had suffered with age, with tracing from the hands dragging on the dial, as well as flaking to the lacquered finish where it met the bezel. Due to this we made the decision to have the dial restored by a top-class company in the UK. They faithfully followed the original text and finish, with the result being a clean and bright dial.

It has the minimalistic silver brushed sunburst finish, which radiates in the light. The applied hour markers are of an elongated baton style, with the polished finish and gold tone. The 12 o’clock marker features a double baton to differentiate it. The dial is signed ‘Piaget’ below 12 o’clock, with the ‘Swiss’ signing below 6. The hands are of a thin and elegant index style which perfectly complements the hour markers.

The case is of the classic dress proportion, measuring 31.5mm x 31.5mm. The lugs add presence with their straight design stretching the case to meet the strap. The case is ultra-thin at just 4.2mm deep. The profile of the watch is subtly dished with the low-profile domed crystal and smooth sloping bezel. To the right-hand side is the neat crown, which is still chunky enough to be easy to use.

The case back has the polished surround, with the snap on back having the circular brushed finish with the radial sunburst. Inside it is signed with the Piaget name and the Swiss hallmarking for 18ct gold with head of Helvetia mark. It has the Poincon de maitre for Spillmann & Co. Below this is the model reference 903.

Inside is the beautiful Piaget 9P, ultra-thin manual wind movement. It measures just 2mm thick and has a jewel count of 18, with shock protection. It has been recently serviced and is keeping very accurate time to within 5 seconds variation a day, with an amplitude of 270 degrees and a beat error of 0.3m/s.

The watch is presented on a Piaget leather strap with the Alligator grain finish. It has a gold-plated buckle which is Swiss made.

The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
A further condition report is below.

Dial:
The dial has been faithfully restored to a high standard, following the original signing and finish. The hour markers have some light scratching associated with age.

Hands:
The hands are original and in strong condition. The minute hand has signs of bending in the past near the base.

Glass:
The crystal is original and is in good condition.

Crown:
The crown is original and is in good condition.

Case:
The case is 18ct yellow gold and is in good vintage condition. It has light marking associated with age. The brushed finish to the sides of the lugs is still visible, as is the hallmark to the side of one of the lugs.

Caseback:
The case back is formed of 18ct yellow gold and is in good condition with the original circular brushed finish.

Strap:
The watch is presented on a Piaget leather strap with the Alligator grain finish. It has a gold-plated buckle which is Swiss made. It will fit up to an 8” wrist circumference.

Movement:
Inside is the Piaget 9P, ultra-thin manual wind movement. It measures just 2mm thick and has a jewel count of 18, with shock protection.

It has been recently serviced and is keeping very accurate time to within 5 seconds variation a day, with an amplitude of 270 degrees and a beat error of 0.3m/s.

Case dimensions
Case width: 31.5mm
Case width with crown: 32.8mm
Case length: 31.6mm
Case length lug to lug: 36mm
Case depth: 4.1mm
Lug width: 17mm