La Côte-aux-Fées
Perched on the heights of the Neuchâtel Jura region, since 1874 La Côte-aux-Fées has been home to the Manufacture Piaget. It is in this peaceful village that the adventure of this fine company began. Testifying to patiently cultivated traditions, this place has given birth to the famous 430P or 500P calibres or to the Tourbillon 600P movement.

All the specifically watchmaking activities such as research and development or movement design and production have remained the exclusive preserve of the Manufacture in La Côte-aux-Fées. Legendary movements such as the ultra-thin 2mm hand-wound 9P in 1957, or the 2.3 mm self-winding Calibre 12P that found its place in the Guinness Book of Records in 1960, confirm the mastery and know-how of the venerable House.

Over the decades, the site has been modernised in order to meet the highest standards of reliability and quality required by mechanical Haute Horlogerie. Cutting-edge technology has thus become essential to the process of making new mechanisms.

In parallel with these new techniques and equipment, human talent and dexterity continue to make all the difference. Representing a genuine kingdom of craftsmanship, La Côte-aux-Fées perpetuates the time-honoured gestures of the various professions that confer real added value on Piaget watches.

One by one, the parts are bevelled, circular-grained, polished and decorated by hand. It is this wealth of infinitely small details constituting technical or aesthetic touches of refinement, sometimes invisible to the naked eye, that confirm the exceptional level of the workshops.

Each Piaget watch houses a Manufacture movement made in La Côte-aux-Fées, a movement that is finished in ways characteristic of the brand, such as the “circular Côtes de Genève”, blued screws or the “Manufacture Piaget” inscription followed by the movement number.

While La Côte-aux-Fées marks the brand’s strong roots in a watchmaking region, Geneva represents Piaget’s openness towards the world. And that is where the company has chosen to build its new Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie.

Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Piaget in Plan-les-Ouates
Inaugurated in 2001, this Manufacture brings together under one roof over twenty-five different professions. It is in Plan-les-Ouates that the brand handles machining of cases and bracelets, gem-setting, polishing, rhodiumplating, assembly, casing-up and adjustment. The production lines are complemented by a workshop dedicated to prototypes and the after-sales service department. The new site also houses the design and creation of Haute Horlogerie and Haute Joaillerie models. The coexistence of these two activities reflects Piaget’s dual vocation as a master watchmaker and jeweller.

Whereas the building in La Côte-aux-Fées, erected in 1945, merges seamlessly into the village environment, the one in Plan-les-Ouates can be seen from afar. Audacious, original but above all functional, the form of this new Manufacture is a tribute to movement. Designed by Swiss architects Pierre Studer S.A, the site forms a ring that is lit up at night and symbolises the dial of a watch. Visitors can reach the main building by crossing a “hand” footbridge suspended over the areas of greenery.

The broad windows of the main building allow the daylight to flood in, thus providing optimal conditions for the work of Haute Horlogerie. The ultimate natural material, wood, is a key feature both outside and inside.

The “heart” of the Manufacture consists of a main building housing the company headquarters and of two large production halls. So as to guarantee quality and efficiency, production is organised into lines. The huge areas with no pillars or partitions provide considerable flexibility and make it possible to modify the structures in step with new creations.

This new flagship is entirely in tune with the new dynamics introduced by Philippe Léopold-Metzger, CEO of Piaget SA since December 1999. By streamlining the collections, introducing several successful new launches and a new boutique concept, he has treated the brand to a new lease on life. In early 2005, Piaget’s international headquarters were also relocated to the Planles- Ouates site. This move will doubtless reinforce the ties between the various sectors.

After more than 130 years of existence, whether in La Côte-aux-Fées with its incredible watchmaking tradition or in the Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates surrounded by its shining ring, Piaget has retained its pioneering spirit and is more faithful than ever to its motto: “Always do better than necessary”.