| CALIBER
430P
From Piaget Manual-winding,
18 jewels, 40-hour power reserve,
monometallic Glucidor balance wheel
with 21,600 vib/hour, ultra-thin
(2.1 mm), 20.5 mm casing diameter,
indicates hours and minutes (center-seconds
available in some versions). It
can be fitted with a date ring without
increasing its 2.1 mm height. |
 |
| CARTIER'S
CALIBER 430MC
From Piaget Personalized
for Cartier by Piaget from its new
family of ultra-thin movements,
this 18-jewel mechanical movement
measures 2.1 mm in height and is
composed of 104 parts. It is equipped
with a Giucidor balance wheel (21,600
vib/hour). A technologically advanced
process has been used to engrave
the movement with a unique pattern
of Cartier initials. |
The
ultra-thin 430P and 500P
Recently
the brand has introduced a new family of
extra-thin movements as exemplified by the
430P and the 500P. The 430P is an 18-jewel,
handwound- mechanical movement measuring
2.1 mm in height, which will be used to
outfit ultra-slim watches. The 500P is a
26-jewel, automatic mechanical movement
measuring 3.4 mm, which will be used by
Piaget for both its "form" and
ladies watches.
An
investment of 3.5 million Swiss francs and
three years of research are behind the design
and development of these two new calibers.
They represent the next generation of movements
which are ultra-thin, reliable and easy
to service.
Different
versions of the 500P and 430P will be used
in some of the collections of a number of
other companies in the Vendome Group. (Editor's
note: The Vendome Group includes Piaget,
Cartier, Baume & Mercier, Dunhill and,Vacheron-Constantin.)
Original
design
The
innovative design of these movements includes
features such as extruded teeth for the
optimal transmission of energy, a double
third wheel for a more accurate second hand,
an ingenious second stop mechanism and a
new alloy which is more efficient than traditional
steel. Another distinctive element is the
swiveling metal spring barrel which has
stops cut into the pallet cock instead of
the traditional adjustable pins. Among other
details, the ultra-light escapement wheel
is burnished on both sides. The wheels,
pivots and pinions are polished to a friction-free
brilliance permitting the ultimate in fluidity.
A
personalized caliber for Cartier
On
the occasion of its 150th anniversary, Cartier
confirms its continuing commitment to Fine
Watchmaking. In doing so, the prestigious
jeweler has called upon Piaget to design
a movement for its watches. The result is
the 430MC, a new ultra-thin caliber from
Piaget's new family of movement. This 18-jewel
movement, composed of 104 parts, is uniquely
engraved with a pattern of Cartier initials.
This engravings process relies on a very
sophisticated technological procedure which
was adapted specially for the 430MC and
required 18 months of research and development
to perfect.
