Piaget’s colorful legacy in jewelry and watchmaking began in 1963, when the maison introduced gold jewelry watches with dials made from ornamental stones such as lapis lazuli, malachite, and turquoise. At a time when many watchmakers were focused on practical steel designs meant to appeal to a wider audience, Piaget took a more daring path. By combining its ultra-thin movements with vividly colored natural materials, the brand turned the wristwatch into an object of style, creativity, and artistic expression.
This approach marked a major shift in luxury design. Rather than treating a watch as a purely functional accessory, Piaget treated it as wearable art. The rich tones and textures of stone dials gave each piece a unique character, setting the maison apart in a market that was largely centered on utility and restraint. The result was a design language that celebrated individuality, rarity, and visual impact.
Piaget deepened this identity with its groundbreaking 21st Century collection in 1969. The collection reflected a bold new vision of luxury that aligned with the cultural changes unfolding around it. As fashion, art, and social life moved toward greater freedom and self-expression, Piaget’s use of color and ornamental materials captured the spirit of the era. The brand became closely associated with glamour, optimism, and a modern sense of elegance.
Yves Piaget and his internationally minded circle helped shape this direction. In the world of jet-set cocktails, Riviera sophistication, and relaxed luxury, Piaget’s vibrant jewelry resonated with clients drawn to originality and effortless polish. The maison’s watches, sautoirs, and cuffs embodied a new kind of sophistication that was playful, confident, and slightly unconventional.
The appeal of these creations also came from their materials. Stones and gems with raw, natural beauty gave Piaget’s jewelry an earthy yet futuristic quality that felt especially relevant in the 1970s. The pieces combined opulence with a sense of freedom, making them symbols of both artistic experimentation and high style.
That legacy remains central to Piaget today. The maison continues to explore color through contemporary creations that echo its historical boldness. Recent examples include a blue quartz Sixtie watch, a Swinging Pebbles necklace carved from tiger’s eye and verdite, opal-set high jewelry cuffs, and marbled stone dials. A candy-colored jewelry collection inspired by Piaget’s exuberant clientele further extends this tradition.
Across its watches and jewelry, Piaget still champions imaginative use of color, natural stones, and sculptural design. More than six decades after those first ornamental stone dials, the brand continues to blend technical mastery with artistic expression, preserving its reputation for daring elegance and distinctive luxury.
