BLACK TIE 'ANDY WARHOL' MODEL, REF. G0A43238, CASE NO. 1'241'658, CIRCA 2020

Piaget has long been regarded as one of the most inventive names in Swiss watchmaking, combining exceptional jewelry expertise with an uncompromising approach to design. The creative freedom that characterised the manufacture during the 1960s and 1970s, widely considered a golden age for both design and decorative arts, continues to define its identity today. It was during this remarkable period that Piaget expanded into high jewelry while simultaneously producing some of the era's most daring wristwatches, ranging from extraordinary gem-set creations to bold sculptural designs. The present timepiece is a contemporary interpretation of one of the manufacture's most iconic creations: the Black Tie, now officially known as the Andy Warhol following an agreement with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, in tribute to one of the model's most famous admirers.

Unlike many of Piaget's more organic and extravagant creations of the period, the design of the Black Tie is defined by an imposing, almost architectural cushion-shaped case framed by a distinctive multi-stepped bezel. While its appearance seems deceptively simple, achieving such perfectly balanced proportions required exceptional design restraint, allowing the watch to project both elegance and commanding presence. The original case was conceived in the early 1970s to house the revolutionary Beta 21 movement, the first Swiss-made quartz calibre, making it one of the defining designs of the quartz era.

The present example is distinguished by its magnificent malachite dial, whose naturally occurring bands of vibrant green create a unique composition impossible to replicate. Prized for centuries as one of the most beautiful ornamental hardstones, malachite lends extraordinary depth and character to the dial while providing a striking contrast against the white gold case.