The New Piaget Altiplano 38mm 900P – Thinnest Mechanical Watch In The World

For 2014, Piaget has released a new version of the Altiplano. This timepiece was unveiled to mark Piaget’s 140^th anniversary being celebrated this year. The new Piaget Altiplano 38mm 900P is now the world’s thinnest mechanical watch. Piaget has held the record for the world’s thinnest mechanical watch many times over. It is safe to say that as far as ultra-thin watches go Piaget is probably the most experienced.

When Piaget set out to create this watch, it couldn’t have foreseen the sheer amount of technological innovations necessary to get the case height to 3.65mm. There are only 145 parts comprising the movement and many of them have been trimmed by as much as 60% to facilitate this modern work of art. To put this mechanical feat into perspective, consider that in the highly competitive world of horology, Piaget is thinner by 0.4mm or 10%. It will be a while before this record can be eclipsed.

One of the other things that set this watch apart is the fact that both the case and the movement are one. What looks like the case back is actually the base plate of the movement. To save on space, Piaget sets the dial on the bridges on top of the movement. It is interesting that Piaget carries the design fortitude to work these changes into a visually stunning timepiece. The brand had a few technical difficulties with the production of the Altiplano 900P. Among them was the creation of an ultra-thin balance that wouldn’t distort while in motion. Piaget boasts that all of the components are made from regular materials and not futuristic alloys.

The dial is well put together with its grey brushed and polished finishes and offset main dial. The bridges are laid out along the bottom of the dial horizontally, which finish the dial nicely. The hands are actually set below the level of the bridges so that the sapphire crystal doesn’t press on the hands. This model is made from 18kt white gold and features a 48 hour power reserve. The Piaget Altiplano 38mm 900P is fitted with a black alligator leather and a pin buckle made from 18kt with gold.