It begins, as these things often do, on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, although “begins” is the wrong word, because nothing at Hermès ever really begins; it accrues. By the time this bracelet watch appeared in the boutique in the late 1960s, the house had already spent more than a century perfecting the art of chains, clasps, buckles, silk scarves, and finely crafted leather goods. Now travel to La Côte-aux-Fées, where winters are long and where Piaget was founded in 1874 by Georges-Édouard Piaget as a manufacturer of high-precision movements. For decades, the company operated largely behind the scenes, supplying calibres to other watchmakers while building a reputation for technical reliability and fine tolerances. By the mid-twentieth century, under the direction of the second and third generations of the Piaget family, the firm shifted from movement production to complete watchmaking, with a particular focus on refinement and thinness. Goldsmiths suddenly inherited freedoms that previous generations had never possessed. If the mechanics occupied almost no space, the bracelet could occupy the rest. A watch no longer needed to resemble a watch. It could masquerade as a cuff, a pendant, a nugget of hammered gold or, as here, a bold heavy chain whose beauty owes as much to Parisian jewellery as to Swiss horology. The bracelet is cast in 18-karat yellow gold and weighs an impressive 127 grams. A thick, repeating chain of 18k yellow gold curves around the arm, each link broad‑shouldered and slightly domed, catching the light in alternating bands of matte brush and polished edge. Piaget’s oval gold dial appears like an inset signet: 15 by 18 millimetres, Roman numerals painted in black, dauphine hands tracking a manual‑wind movement. This rare bracelet watch is hallmarked Piaget and Hermès. A collectors’ gem from a time when Hermès was still buying movements from specialist Swiss makers rather than building its own. But again, “time” may be the wrong word when an object this lovely only manages to distract you from it. Maker: PiagetModel: Rare Piaget x Hermès Bracelet Watch Model 3771 D 67Year: 1969Material: 18k Yellow GoldDial: Gold with Black Roman NumeralsCase Measurement: 15mm x 18mmMovement: Manual WindCondition: Very GoodWeight: 127 GramsSize: Fits up to a 7.2" WristMade in Switzerland and France Retailed in the famed Hermès Boutique Paris circa late 1960s All vintage and pre-owned watches sold by Stephanie Windsor are guaranteed to be genuine and authentic. We also guarantee the proper functioning of your watch’s mechanical movement for one (1) year from the date of purchase. Our warranty does not cover damage resulting from accidents, misuse, neglect, water damage or normal wear and tear. Please note that we do not guarantee waterproofing on vintage or pre-owned timepieces. We therefore do not recommend submerging your timepiece in water or any liquid.
