he Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon is a mere 2 mm thick. Not a micron more. Its diameter is 41.5 mm. Not a millimetre more. And yet, it is able to supply the additional 25% of power required to power the flying tourbillon.

Contrary to appearances, Piaget had to redesign 90% of the components of the original Altiplano Ultimate Concept – and even develop new machinery – to craft a watch as thin as its groundbreaking predecessor, with an added flying tourbillon. Inside the Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon, everything is new: its parts have been reinvented and redesigned, drawing on years of experience. “We did far more than merely add a tourbillon. We reinvented everything,” explains Benjamin Comar, Piaget CEO.

Thanks to a principle that has been tried and tested since the 900P calibre was invented, there is no distinction between the movement and the case. Working with the same case height and components just as thin, the challenge was to figure out how to insert a tourbillon when the space inside the watch was already full.

The Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon could be described as the sum of many technical feats. But the true feat remains the same as that of the Altiplano Ultimate Concept: it is the effect that it creates. Putting on a watch fitted with a tourbillon that is a mere 2 mm thick, and therefore as thin as a coin, is a surprising experience but also a comfortable one. Seen from the side, it almost vanishes. From the back, it surprises the wearer with its striking opening.

Piaget needed to completely re-imagine the tourbillon. Soon, a new idea was set in motion. The tourbillon would be held in place by its perimeter. Its outer edge is secured by a ceramic ball bearing, which drives the one-minute rotation. It is made mainly of titanium, with the addition of steel where necessary. Next, it was time to supply it with power.

The Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon is able to supply a power reserve of around 40 hours. This extraordinary result stems from two different solutions. The first was the decision to use a made-to-measure mainspring, reworked based on its most force-bearing factor. The thickness of the blade was slightly increased to deliver the additional energy required. The second solution was the almost systematic use of ball bearings instead of pivots. By making it easier for the mobile elements to rotate, Piaget decreased friction, allowing the watchmakers to achieve an even thinner result – a true masterpiece!

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