Piaget’s expertise in ultra-thin movements and watches are arguably second to none within the luxury watch industry, given the numerous world records the manufacture holds. In 2013 it released the 1200S, the world’s thinnest skeletonised automatic movement, which was followed up by 2014’s Altiplano 38mm 900P, the world’s thinnest mechanical watch. Variations of this theme have peppered the brand’s product line up over the years, including ultra-thin movements decorated with either gem setting or grand feu enamel. What next? Ultra-thin calibres with complications are a logical step, and Piaget’s pre-SIHH 2015 preview does not disappoint. In fact, the manufacture may even surprise you with what it has accomplished in the new Altiplano Chronograph.The Altiplano Chronograph is powered by Piaget’s manual-winding Calibre 883P, an in-house movement derived from the 880P. Calibre 883P measures just 4.65mm high, so it comes as no surprise that the watch case, which is 41mm across, is a mere 8.24mm thick. Naturally, a movement so thin will have correspondingly diminutive parts – the chronograph gear finger measures just 0.06mm thick, while the barrel staff clocks in at 0.115mm. Despite its dimensions, Calibre 883P has a fairly lengthy 50-hour power reserve.The new timepiece is even more astonishing given its features: the Altiplano Chronograph is of the flyback variant, vertically coupled, and column wheel actuated. These are all useful features, undoubtedly, but they also tend to increase a movement’s height. A column wheel, for example, starts a chronograph confidently without jerking the second hand, but ends up being thicker than a cam actuated chronograph. Piaget’s accomplishment here lies in how it has managed to integrate these features into Calibre 883P, with a seemingly negligible effect on its thickness. As if this isn’t enough, the Altiplano Chronograph also has a GMT complication which is read off the 24-hour sub-dial at nine o’clock.

The Altiplano Chronograph is available in either a pink gold case, or a white gold case set with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds that total approximately 1.8 carats.