Zach Brass
Unveiled later last year, Piaget officially (and surprisingly) changed the name of the black tie to Andy Warhol Watch, a long-time use moniker for fans of the model. The first Andy Warhol Clou De Paris introduced a name change, but Piaget expanded its collection with Watches and Wonders 2025 as the complex cushion shape merged with the new dial. But before exploring a new watch, it’s important to first dive into the backstory.
Backstory
The 70s were crucial to watchmaking, and the quartz technology began to rise, and it was thought that the steel marketing masterclass was a material for luxury watchmaking. However, Piaget was not a brand that diluted and diluted what he believed to be attractive. Piaget was a brand with a true artistic sensibility to play with shapes, colors and materials, especially as a pioneer of the Stone Dials.
By the end of the decade in 1979, Piaget was naturally in the sporty category in its own unique term, with the wise quartz movement of the time, naturally entering the sporty category, with YVES Piaget being described as a bracelet of watches rather than a bracelet. Everyone can argue about which integration icons stole that look from others, but the 1979 polo doesn’t have a doppelganger. Introduced in 2016, its descendant, Polo S, to bring things into perspective, was the brand’s first steel collection. Love it, hate it or want it vy, Piaget is primarily focused on talking about precious materials, artistic crafts and gorgeous lifestyles.
This charm and sense of art definitely attracted Andy Warhol to the brand. The well-known pop artist was known to own at least seven Piaget watches. Four of them proudly live in Piaget’s private collection. In 1973, Warhol eventually acquired Piaget, whom he didn’t know would be named after him, and was later known as Reference 15102, first introduced in the famous Beta 21 movement in 1972. This unnamed model, 15102, was produced in a very limited series from 1972 to 1977, with only 26 of them being produced. This design was later named Black Tie when he returned 37 years later. But as we all know, watches often earn nicknames from collectors. Thanks to the most famous wearers, everyone who knew the design would simply call it Warhol. As of November 2024, the collection name and nickname have become one through our partnership with Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
Piaget Andy Warhol today
Since its founding, Warhol’s designs have mostly remained unchanged. Once released, the cushion case was boldly measured at a width of 45mm and a lug-to-lug of 38mm. The current generation holds a width of 45mm, but now there is a 43mm lagtoo lug, offering more presence and modern taste, without sacrificing the integrity of the original shape. The wide cushion shape is just a signature of one case. The second is the stepwise boundary around the dial. This is said to be intended to create the illusion of thinness. However, thanks to the 501p1 movement, which is only 3.63mm thick, Andy Warhol is only about 8mm tall despite its intricate sculpture shape. Now it is very thin, not an illusion or an illusion.
However, looking at the case from the side, the stairs that appear to be ascending to Sapphire Crystal Peak certainly look thinner than the specified dimension. Again, this is the brand that pursued ultra-thin watchmaking before it became a trend, holding the world record for the thinnest tourbillon, 2mm thick, until Bvlgari was taken away, but that’s by the point). Andy Warhol is a bespoke collection and can be configured in 200 ways, either white or rose gold through 10 ornamental stone dial options, five different colors of leather straps, two mobile phones (Batton or Dauphin), and through the Maison’s endless personal service. For those who can’t troubling the movement, there are also ready-made configurations provided by Piaget.
The two Andy Warhol models debuted with Watches and Wonders. Find yourself in a white gold case paired with Tiger’s Eye Dial and a coloured brown leather strap. The second high jewelry variant embeds a triple row of blue baguette cut sapphire gadroon inside the staircase in the case that perfectly matches the dazzling blue opal stone dial and blue leather strap. Finding such a quantity of blue sapphires in uniform hue is a challenge in itself, and the same can be said for the opal dial when it comes to finding a stone large enough to fill the case.
verdict
I don’t pretend that Piaget’s Andy Warhol is on everyone’s preference, man, or watch, but the latter certainly isn’t everyone’s budget. Priced on request These two new models certainly make the average collector feel uneasy, and the cheapest model listed in the Andy Warhol Collection (the rose gold model with a black dial) will undo $43,400. This is an exclusive collection from an exclusive brand, and as a result, it is not produced in large quantities. Perhaps the perfect price, complete with a rich finish with fully curated stone dials and intricate case shapes, and in some cases a gem set.
Those who buy this watch are certainly not too confused about chronometry and complications, and instead focus on design. Andy Warhol’s collection is at the intersection of jewelry in several ways given its shape and material, and the allure of the brand and its name creates an air of unique personality, especially when using endless personal services. Say what you do, but for now there is no denying that shape clocks and stone dials are very popular, and Andy Warhol watches are sitting at the peak of luxury within this segment.
Piaget Andy Warhol watches pricing and availability
Piaget Andy Warhol Watchs and Wonders 2025 Novelties are available for enquiries. Price: on request
Brand Piaget Model Andy Warhol Watch Case Dimensions 45mm(d) x 8mm
