Life of the PARTY

The new Andy Warhol Clou de Paris timepiece pays homage to the Piaget Society, celebrating the Maison's golden era

- TAN SIOK HOON

There is no better homage to Piaget's 150th anniversary than to shine the spotlight on the Piaget Society, synonymous with the glamorous '60s, '70s and '80s. A legendary story of family loyalty interwoven with creativity, daring design and exceptional savoir-faire, Piaget was founded by Georges-Édouard Piaget, whose pioneering vision laid the foundations of the Maison, channelled and built upon over generations.

Precision is a cornerstone of the Maison with its invention of the ultra-thin movement in the late 1950s, besides being a master of goldsmithing where its Ateliers de l'Extraordinaire artisans have been transforming gold, ornamental stones and precious gems into not just wearable treasures but also spectacles of art. Salon Piaget, the Maison's first boutique was opened in 1959, displaying this intriguing blend of craftsmanship and art from the peerless skills of its artisans-cum-artists.

In the early 1960s, fourth-generation Yves Piaget would propel the Maison onto the international stage after establishing La Côte-aux-Fées in the Swiss Jura mountains. The avantgarde collections created there captured the adoration of a legion of aristocratic clientele, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor and Gina Lollobrigida, besides inviting close collaborations with artists, starting with Salvador Dalí in 1967. Piaget's reputation as a purveyor of exquisite creations desired and celebrated by the world's most sophisticated drew the patronage of the jet-set: designers, actors, musicians and models, crossing paths at the Maison's multifaceted and sparkling boutique.