Perhaps one of the most intriguing and exciting launches this year at the SIHH 2016, was the unveiling of the new Piaget Emperador Coussin XL 700P. This new watch is truly the first hybrid timepiece with a mechanical and quartz beating heart. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of its first in-house quartz movement —the famous ultra-thin 7P calibre presented in 1976— Piaget unveiled the Emperador Coussin XL 700P at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva. After going hands-on with this new watch, all we can say is that this new timepiece is not only very sporty but also a watch that brings a breath of fresh air to this ultra traditional manufacture, where classicism has always been the norm when it comes to its designs. Since the launch of the sporty Piaget Polo line, we really have not seen anything this sporty from Piaget.

Featuring an unusual match between a mechanical calibre and a quartz generator, this resolutely innovative timepiece highlights two perfectly mastered skills embedded in the DNA of the manufacture. While Piaget stands out for its expertise and creativity in the development of ultra-thin calibres, it also has its own range of quartz movements equipping many of its ladies’ timepieces and jewellery watch creations. In tribute to this dual excellence, the mechanical heart of the Emperador Coussin XL 700P beats at the high frequency of 32,768 developed by the quartz generator.

Issued in a limited edition of 118 pieces, the new from SIHH 2016 Piaget Emperador Coussin XL 700P is equipped with an ultra-thin generator-regulated mechanical movement. This standout timepiece represents the first time that Piaget is combining the reliability and precision of Swiss Made electronic regulation with its iconic reverse-construction calibre. This accomplishment, for which ten or so patents have been filed, stems from two years of R&D conducted within the Manufacture Piaget and is based on an original Swiss concept first registered in 1972. At that same time, Piaget was illustrating its technological dynamism by developing its own ultra-thin quartz movement, the famous 7P. In tribute to the latter, the Maison has decided to name this new electronically regulated self-winding calibre “700P”. The generator with its 32,768 Hz frequency ensures an extremely high degree of precision as well as perfect resistance to magnetic fields and gravity. This electronic device is housed at the heart of a mechanical movement featuring a highly distinctive architecture.

On this fascinating reverse —or inverted— construction, revealing the main functional elements of the watch on the display side, the offset oscillating weight and the generator form a figure 8. The also offset pointed hours and minutes hand sweep over finely tapered hour markers. In the notable absence of a dial, the black-coated cushion-shaped movement displays its meticulous traditional finishes, such as the guilloché micro-rotor adorned with the Piaget coat-of-arms, sunburst and chamfered bridges, circular stain-brushed wheels and silver-toned screws.

The deep black shade of the calibre is matched by a black ADLC-coated gold bezel. Framed by a 46.5 mm-diameter white gold cushion-shaped case topped with a black rounded bezel, this timepiece expresses the DNA of the Manufacture and the cleverly mastered art of “shapes within shapes”.

Its resolutely modern design is the ideal showcase for the innovative 700P Piaget movement that is admirably highlighted through a clever blend of tradition and innovation, boldness and refinement, mechanical prowess and technological precision. On the solid case back we can see two apertures, one that allows view of the quartz generator and the other for a clever half moon power reserve indicator. The watch is equipped with a gorgeous black alligator strap with deployant buckle.

On the wrist, the watch wears slightly bigger than its actual size and with unparalleled elegance. Bold, masculine and sporty are just some of the words that come to mind after going hands-on with the new Piaget Emperador Coussin XL 700P. Definitely a winner this SIHH 2016.

Sticker Price $70,000 USD. For more info on Piaget click here.