A style icon with stunning curved lines, and a favourite of Andy Warhol’s, this legendary watch continues to fascinate today, reinventing itself for a contemporary era.
This is how it goes for a handful of timeless watches. From the moment they are released into the world, they captivate the keenest eyes with their distinctly mysterious allure...
Even at its launch in 1972, the Black Tie, with its large dial bordered with signature gadroons, had all the makings of a watch that would change the course of history.
A Stroke of Genius
Produced in a limited series in white or yellow gold until 1977, Piaget’s Black Tie 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. Of all these timepieces, it is the Black Tie which Warhol will continue to be associated with for many years to come.
Yves Piaget and Andy Warhol did not cross paths until 1979, when they finally met through Gerry Grinberg’s company, the exclusive distributor of Piaget’s luxury watches in the United States. 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.
Couture Allure
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. Much loved by collectors, the Black Tie Vintage has since become available in malachite with a white gold case, and in a version pairing intense black with rose gold. Here it is shown in its new version: malachite and rose gold.
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. Searing turquoise, spellbinding jasper, vibrant cornaline or electric blue lapis lazuli: a range of astonishing natural treasures, painstakingly sourced by the Maison’s gemmologists to adorn this most precious timepiece.
The ultimate symbol of luxury, the Black Tie Vintage is entering the world of High Jewellery this season, electrified by the green shimmer of baguette-cut emeralds and a petrified wood dial. Piaget’s Black Tie - resolutely one-of-a-kind.
