Rare Men's Vintage Early 1980s Piaget Automatic Ultra-Thin Caliber 12PCI in Solid 18k Yellow Gold Ref. 13603
Regardless of anything else you may have read about, the discrete seldom seen Piaget is one of the most innovative and fine Swiss In-House Manufacturers ever to exist. Piaget is the master of the ultra-thin above anyone else, even Patek or Vacheron cannot compete with Piaget in the category. And it all started in 1960 when Piaget unveiled the first ever automatic ultra-thin, the caliber 12P at a record 2.30MM thick with an integrated 24K gold micro-rotor in place of a traditional full top mounted rotor. This took the industry by storm and once again proved Piaget was among the ranks of Patek, Vacheron, JLC and Audemars. Seen here is an example of Piaget's highest grade 12P, the 12PCI - a 30 jeweled movement adjusted 6 times, highly decorated and super fine finished movement with Geneva Strips, Hand Beveled Bridged and 24k Gold embellishes. Men's ref. 13603; Piaget's competitive watch to the Patek Calatrava; and competitive it is - outdoing Patek's calibers in nearly every way. The winding rotor is made of solid 24k gold. The dial is all original and untouched. It is presented with beautiful gold birch grain engraving on a solid 18k gold dial done by hand; along with it's matching bezel. Most of these pieces were made without lugs and an integrated gold bracelet. This is the much rarer and preferred version. The crystal is 100% clean, flat sapphire with no coatings. The crown is in 18k gold and is original. The inside of the case-back has a rub mark shown in the picture - this IS NOT to scratch off anything as there was nothing there, it was done to test the gold at one point and does not reduce the value of the watch. The watch comes on a new $200 American Alligator Matte Dark Brown Strap by Hadley Roma and a gold toned buckle. The watch will also come with it's original Piaget strap in great condition with a replacement buckle (not gold). This piece has it's all original factory finish and has just been overhauled and running at chronometer or better specs. These are hard to find and undervalued right now until the market catches on how fantastic these really are. Even the company knows that, just look at the retail values of Patek vs. Piaget in this category; Piaget clearly says, hey we are better and now ours cost just as much as yours; a bold but valid move. The elitists, have been keeping Piaget a secret for years, now the brand is emerging as the high-end power house that the pedigree enjoys. Oh yeah, Piaget is what's being worn on GQs most important cover of the year. We hope you love it - enjoy.
