The Piaget Limelight Gala remains a feminine icon 50 years on with its sensuous, cambered case and asymmetrical lugs that extend from each side onto the bracelet. The latest 32mm interpretation with a proprietary quartz movement – Piaget Limelight Gala Precious (Ref. G045163) – celebrates the signature design with an 18k white gold bracelet hand-engraved in the Palace Décor style.
It’s interesting to note that Piaget has used over 100 different patterns – mainly inspired by nature – to craft its hand-made gold bracelets. These motifs have run the gamut of waves, frost, fur, tree bark, and snake scales. The work of the chain smith is similar to that of an haute couture dressmaker. The process begins with hundreds of gold links, which are tightly assembled. The next step is the meticulous and arduous soldering of the countless miniature links that will result in a bracelet of remarkable suppleness.
Also made of white gold and engraved with the same technique is the Grand Feu enamel dial, which is covered in translucent blue enamel. Featuring 20 brilliant-cut diamonds of about 1.46 carats and a fade of 22 brilliant-cut blue sapphires weighing 4.01 carats on the bezel, one of the most challenging tasks was finding the perfect gemstones with the right colour match and in the progressive size the design called for. Gem artisans used a new openworked style of gem-setting, Serti Descendu, which magnifies the stones’ brilliance while making them appear like they’re held together without mounts. This exquisite timepiece is a numbered edition.
