As “the capital of the Renaissance,” Piaget chose Florence for the debut of its most recent high jewelry line, according to chief executive officer Benjamin Comar.
“Since COVID-19, this is the first significant event. Since Piaget represents the height of creativity, it seemed logical to stage the presentation here. And customers are always pleased to visit Florence,” he said with a wry smile.
The 14th-century Villa Il Salviatino in Fiesole, close to Florence, was specifically chosen, he continued, and it was entirely appropriate given its stunning frescoed rooms, history, a view of the city’s iconic Filippo Brunelleschi dome, and, in keeping with the collection inspired by nature, its sizable gardens. He said, “It’s a place with a soul.” “Our expertise and understanding of nature meet Italian art,”
Giving customers an experience or “a souvenir” to remember is becoming more and more crucial. “The emotional content is really strong; it goes beyond merely the purchase. In addition to demonstrating our capabilities, it also serves as a chance to thank the clients for their support, he said.
Comar complimented Yves Piaget’s “bold and daring” designs from 1969 as a part of the opulent “21st Century Collection” of watches with decorative stones placed into their dials, setting the foundation for the brand’s distinctive aesthetic.
This collection, “Metaphoric,” which is a metaphor for nature and its metamorphoses, now comes to reality. It consists of 41 pieces of jewelry and 11 timepieces, separated into the two chapters Azureia and Beautanica, both of which were inspired by nature.
Creative director Stéphanie Sivrière created the collections, shunning realistic depictions of nature in favor of more iconic features like the flow of a waterfall or the sun’s beams. A magnificent Mineralis set, for instance, features an asymmetrical necklace made of diamonds, sapphires, aquamarine, and rock crystal, along with blue sapphires placed inverted. It is reminiscent of the waters of a mountain river. A 13.25-carat cushion-cut aquamarine with a lagoon blue color occupies the heart of this unusual gem. The jewelry is complemented with matching earrings and rings, one of which has a 4.1-carat Sri Lanka sapphire placed in it.
A stunning 6.59-carat cushion-cut Colombian emerald is placed in the Foliatura jewelry watch. Intricately crafted stylized chrysoprase leaves and interweaving diamonds are combined on its white gold body, which is set against gold that has had Decor Palace engravings added. The watch dial is positioned on the bottom portion of the bracelet, allowing the wearer to read the time covertly.
Piaget has a balanced company that combines watches and jewelry. Comar remarked that the categories are being viewed more and more as investments, but he has also noticed “a natural shift of purpose. Previously, consumers would only purchase and wear them on rare occasions, such as weddings or other formal occasions, or as gifts from men to ladies.
Comar boasted that all of Piaget’s jewelry is made at the company’s studio in Geneva and that it takes an artisan about 15 years to learn to make the high jewelry of the company.
He said, rather than beginning with the stones, the artisans at Piaget work from sketches. “This is a house of creativity, so we want our designers to feel as free as possible, coming up with ideas first and then adapting the gems to the designs,” he said. He said, “It’s harder because you can’t organize the stones.
The Alata set, which includes a necklace, pair of earrings, and watch, is another illustration of the artists’ abilities. In it, leaves are transformed into gold, mother-of-pearl, and diamonds. The Decor Palace image is carved on gold leaves, gold mother-of-pearl, white gold flecks, and diamonds on a gold and titanium ear cuff as well. The center of the leaf is adorned with a 2.23-carat pear-shaped diamond in a statement ring. A cuff watch, with a body decorated with marquetry of mother-of-pearl, engraved gold, and marquise-cut diamonds, completes the ensemble.
The uncommon combination of aquamarine with Akoya pearls and diamonds in the Aqua Summa set helps to portray its image of frost and ice. The collar necklace has an invisible clasp and is fully articulated, showcasing cerulean aquamarines with pear shapes, the biggest of which is more than 4 carats in weight.
After years of service at Cartier, Dunhill, S.T. Dupont, and Chanel, where he founded the watch and jewelry sector, Comar joined Piaget in June 2021. He was appointed CEO of Repossi in 2017 after spending 12 years at Chanel.
Piaget has significant markets in the United States, the Middle East, and Asia, but he claimed to be beginning to observe “a more balanced” company across continents that is “speaking to a wider clientele.” Men throughout the world are also becoming more interested in jewelry, a trend that was initiated and fueled by Asian customers who have long been accustomed to wearing watches, rings, and brooches, he added.
