Frédéric Piguet was a prestigious Swiss manufacturer of high-end watch movements, renowned for its ultra-thin calibers and complex complications. Established in 1858 by Louis-Elisée Piguet in Le Brassus, Switzerland, the company initially specialized in crafting intricate modules for pocket watches, including perpetual calendars and minute repeaters. Over time, Frédéric Piguet evolved into a leading supplier of sophisticated movements for numerous luxury watch brands.
1858: Louis-Elisée Piguet founded a workshop in Le Brassus, focusing on crafting complex watch modules.
Early 20th Century: The company transitioned to "Les Fils de L.E. Piguet" under the leadership of Piguet's sons.
Late 1930s: Frédéric Piguet, the founder's grandson, took over the company, which was subsequently renamed in his honor.
1925: Developed the Caliber 21, an ultra-thin manual movement measuring just 1.74 mm in thickness, used by brands like Patek Philippe, Omega, and Longines.
1978: Hired Edmond Capt, the creator of the Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement, to design high-quality quartz movements.
1982: Jacques Piguet, Frédéric's heir, acquired the dormant Blancpain brand and, alongside Jean-Claude Biver, revitalized it using Frédéric Piguet's mechanical movements.
1992: Both Frédéric Piguet and Blancpain were sold to the Swatch Group.
2010: Frédéric Piguet was fully integrated into Blancpain, ceasing to exist as an independent entity.
Caliber 21: An ultra-thin manual movement (1.74 mm thick) introduced in 1925, utilized by brands such as Patek Philippe and Omega.
Caliber 1185: Launched in 1988, this automatic chronograph movement with a column wheel was the thinnest of its kind at 5.5 mm thick. It was adopted by brands like Audemars Piguet (as Caliber 2385), Vacheron Constantin (as Caliber 1137), and Breguet (as Caliber 576).
Caliber 1186: A split-seconds (rattrapante) version of the 1185, introduced in 1989, recognized as the first automatic split-seconds chronograph movement.
Caliber 33: Developed in 1988, it was the smallest minute repeater movement for wristwatches at the time, measuring 23.9 mm in diameter and 3.3 mm in thickness.
Caliber 1150: An automatic movement introduced in 1988, known for its reliability and used in various Blancpain models.
Caliber 23: Introduced in 1989, it was the first wristwatch movement featuring a flying tourbillon, with an 8-day power reserve.
Frédéric Piguet's movements were highly sought after by numerous prestigious watchmakers, including:
Audemars Piguet: Utilized the Caliber 1185 in their Royal Oak chronographs.
Vacheron Constantin: Employed the Caliber 1185 as the base for their Caliber 1137 in various chronograph models.
Breguet: Incorporated several Frédéric Piguet movements, such as the Caliber 1150, in their timepieces.
Cartier, Franck Muller, Harry Winston, Panerai, Gérald Genta, Chopard, and Alain Silberstein: All integrated Frédéric Piguet movements into select models, appreciating their precision and thin profiles.
Frédéric Piguet's commitment to excellence in movement manufacturing significantly influenced the resurgence of mechanical watchmaking during the quartz crisis. By providing high-quality, ultra-thin, and complex movements, the company enabled many luxury brands to continue offering mechanical watches that appealed to connoisseurs and collectors. Even after its integration into Blancpain, the legacy of Frédéric Piguet endures through the continued use and reverence of its movements in the horological world.
For more information and to explore timepieces featuring Frédéric Piguet movements, you can visit the Frédéric Piguet section on BUZZUFY.
