Piaget’s iconic Black Tie timepiece was produced in a limited series in white or yellow gold until 1977, and caught the eye of one of the most revolutionary artists of the era: Andy Warhol.
In New York in 1973, Warhol succumbed to the charms of a yellow gold piece with an anthracite grey galvanic dial, which beat to the tempo of the Beta 21 quartz movement. The Black Tie joined the ranks of Andy Warhol’s six other Piaget watches, four of which are now kept in Piaget’s Private Collection (below). Of all these timepieces, it is the Black Tie which Warhol will continue to be associated with for many years to come.
Developing a close friendship with Piaget, Andy Warhol became a full member of the Piaget Society, travelling with Yves Piaget to events held in New York and Palm Beach, and joining him for long nights at Studio 54 or Chez Régine. In 1983, Warhol invited his friend Yves Piaget to feature in Interview Magazine, the popular magazine that he had founded in 1969. Piaget was interviewed by the young artist and gallery owner, Robert Lee Morris.
The 45 mm-diameter case immediately piqued the interest of collectors back then, hunting for rare timepieces decorated with the Maison’s signature ornamental stones. The latest proof of its success was at Watches and Wonders 2023, where a private collection of ten unique watches inspired by Andy Warhol’s famous Piaget timepiece was exhibited in the Society Bar at Piaget’s booth (below). Searing turquoise, spellbinding jasper, vibrant cornaline or electric blue lapis lazuli: a range of astonishing natural treasures, painstakingly sourced by the Maison’s gemologists to adorn this most precious timepiece.
Reissued as part of the ‘Extremely Piaget’ High Jewellery Collection, the Black Tie made its dazzling comeback onto the watchmaking scene in 2014 and has remained there ever since.
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