The late Andy Warhol may be best known for his art, films, and partying ways, but he was also a prolific watch collector. Among his collection of big-brand watches (many of which have been auctioned off for big bucks) were at least seven Piaget watches. the most famous of which was the Black Tie timepiece with a cushion-shaped case. In the final installment of the brand’s 150th anniversary, the Black Tie has been revived, refreshed, and renamed the Piaget Andy Warhol Clou de Paris watch (under license with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts).
The Piaget Black Tie was originally created in 1972 as the company’s model charged to house the Beta 21 quartz movement — the Swiss watch market’s answer to Japan’s growing domination of the technology. Thanks to Beta 21’s prominent proportions, the cases that housed them, whether from Patek Philippe, Rolex, IWC, Piaget, or any of the other 16 watchmakers that worked together to produce the quartz caliber, had to be large.
The new Piaget Andy Warhol watch continues the substantial dimensions with its white gold cushion case clocking in at 45mm in diameter. Rather than customary gadroons, decorating the sides of the case are two rows of Clou de Paris (or hobnail) guilloché motif, which, according to the brand. took 10 months to develop and perfect. Almost as fancy as the showy case is the blue meteorite dial, punctuated with a pair of Dauphine-style hands and stick hour markers.
Unlike the original Black Tie quartz watches, beneath the screw-down back of the 30m-water-resistant case is the self-winding Caliber 501P1. This manufacture movement operates at 28,800 beats per hour, supplies 40 hours of power reserve, and although we can’t see it, is decorated with circular Côtes de Genève, circular-graining, and beveling. Finally, matching the blue dial is the dark blue alligator leather strap fitted with a white gold pin buckle.
The model shown here features a white gold case, blue meteorite dial, and blue leather strap, but these are just one of many possible combinations. Piaget is embracing its made-to-order service — a tradition that started with its first Geneva store in 1959 and was recently reimagined as the “Infinitely Personal” concept. With this option, customers interested in the Andy Warhol piece can select either rose or white gold cases, choose from ten different stone dials with Dauphine or baton hands, and pick from five strap colors.
Commenting on the new piece, Benjamin Comar, CEO of Piaget said: “We are deeply honored and delighted by the trust that the Andy Warhol Foundation is showing in Piaget, highlighting the deep and sincere relationship between the Maison and Andy Warhol. A new dawn for this very unique timepiece, beloved by all.”
Andy Warhol wasn’t just a customer of Piaget; he was a member of the Piaget Society — a term Yves Piaget used for the circle of celebrities and creatives who attended his lavish parties, collaborated on his watches, or were otherwise connected to the brand. The Black Tie was already nicknamed the Andy Warhol on the secondary market so this move just makes it official. With its dinner plate dimensions, flashy bezel, precious metal case, and space rock dial, a lot is going on with this “simple” two-hander. Not everyone could pull it off (or would want to) but with the right party attitude, it could be done — and done with style. The Piaget Andy Warhol Clou de Paris watch (ref. G0A49238) will retail for $60,000 USD; of course, any customizations will impact the price. For more information, please visit the brand’s website.
