Dubbed en scène, Piaget orchestrated a glimmering spectacle in Abu Dhabi that melded extravagance and elegance
Fashioning literal depictions of decades of history and traditions, Swiss watchmaker and jeweller, Piaget recently exhibited a glimmering, immersive retrospective of more than 100 years’ worth of jewellery and watches in Abu Dhabi—coinciding with the Maison’s 150th anniversary.
Without losing sight of its rich, complex past, the Maison orchestrated a spectacle showcasing pioneering craftsmanship where historical objects are juxtaposed against more contemporary visuals and architecture. Everything in the assortment was a visual feast for the eyes—the most influential being The Piaget Polo 79.
Consciously constructed with mastery, elegance and extravagance, the jewellery and watches displayed against the backdrop of the Abu Dhabi skyline and the beautiful columns of the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental are a testimony of Piaget’s heritage, its historic importance and its relevance today. “The exhibition is the moment where we look into the past on what was done and see how we’ve made it contemporary while keeping the fundamentals of the Maison—the work of gold, the work of ultra-thin and the work of colour,” said Fatemeh Laleh, International Director of Communication & Images.
Housed in three rooms, “Extraleganze”, “Piaget Society” and “When Mastery Ignites Artistry”, the high jewellery exhibition focuses on the root of everything the Maison does—savoir-faire, discovery, inventiveness and looking into the future.
Reimagining precious structures, colour nuances and fundamental creativity, the Maison bridges the gap between haute horlogerie and high jewellery with this travelling exhibition. Captivating pieces include the excellence of The Piaget Polo 79 which is peppered in 200 grams of solid 18-carat gold and the Pink-Gold Necklace which is adorned with 1 cushion-cut spessartite, yellow sapphire, cornalines and diamonds. “These pieces are some of my favourites—I love the shininess, the preciousness and the elegance of it,” Laleh gushed.
Celebrating that gold embodies the spirit of Piaget, other spellbinding jewels, are also sure to delight any gold lover such as the Yellow-Gold Limelight Gala watch, the Possession collection and the Yellow-Gold Transformable Swinging Sautoir Watch—whimsical, playful pieces that demonstrate perfect symmestery, precision and beauty. These rare prototypes have been transformed and transcended over the years in a way to highlights the diversity of gemstones and gold. “We’ve gone back to respect what was done at the inception of the brand. It’s not necessarily an evolution; it’s how these pieces have become current to today’s conversation,” said Laleh.
What’s particularly impressive is the Maison’s role in emulsifying haute joaillerie and the beaux-arts with the en scène set in Abu Dhabi. “Abu Dhabi has become a true hub for culture. It has a great understanding, respect and a wish to push forward creative work such as crafting and art. And, I believe watchmaking and jewellery making is exactly that,” said Laleh. The exhibition does a beautiful duty of drawing out extravagant creations in a sunny, open-spaced setting.
Nurturing a balance between watches and jewellery, the exhibition triggers a dialogue between viewers and makers—excelling a great showcase of talent. “I hope that people appreciate the amazing pieces and how elegant they are, and our attention to detail when it comes to crafting,” explained Laleh. “I want them to take away that this brand is a story brand.”
Discover more about the Maison here.
All images courtesy of Piaget
