Straight from the Black Tie Watch Collection by Piaget, the Emperador Coussin XL 700P Men’s Dress Watch is a stunning piece of engineering that offers a fresh, industrial, and modern style and pairs it with masculinity and class. “Coussin” is French for “Cushion,” referring to the unique case shape. This model is sometimes referred to as the “Coussin 700P” or the “Coussin XL 700P,” with the XL referring to the large 46.5mm case size.
This incredible dress Piaget impressed at SIHH 2016 (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) in Geneva, Switzerland. With its unique shape, gorgeous design, and the ground breaking 700P movement, this Emperador Coussin is masculine and radiant.
Specs/Size/Design
This stunning Piaget Emperador is a Limited Edition piece with only 118 individually numbered timepieces created. Made of 18K White Gold, this 46.5mm cushion-shaped dress watch is sleek, impressive, powerful, and elegant.
Power Source
The state-of-the-art calibre 700P, made by Piaget in Switzerland, is a cushion-shaped automatic movement that was designed to fit with perfection inside of the Emperador’s cushion-shaped 18K White Gold case. This automatic movement features a high-precision generator and places quartz tech — specifically, it pays a tribute to the ultra-thin 7P quartz timepiece that was presented in 1976 by Van Cleef & Arpels. It was the thinnest in the world at the time at 3.1mm. The 700P movement is 5.5mm thick and boasts an incredible 32,768 Hz high frequency regulation that controls the running of the 700P. This is absolutely beyond any capabilities of even the best luxury movements used in traditional designs. The calibre 700P resists gravity as well as magnetic fields.
The movement is not just inspiring, but it is also dressed up for the occasion. The finishes of the black-treated (black PVD) movement features a watchmaking tradition: a guilloche micro-rotor; a sunray finish and chamfered bridges; satin-brushed circular wheels; and silver-finished screws. There is nothing normal about this 5.5mm Piaget 700P cushion-shaped automatic movement. It is simply world-class.
The Good
The 46.5mm case of the Emperador Coussin XL is not quite oversized (which begins at 50mm diameter), but it is large and stunning. Made of 18K White Gold, this polished cash is shaped like a cushion (as is the inspirational 700P automatic movement). The French word “Coussin” in the watch’s name means cushion.
The dial’s functional features start with an off-centred generator as well as a platinum oscillating weight. The non-traditional hours and minutes are also off-centred and are displayed at the 5 o’clock position. The power reserve (which can last around 42 hours), can be read on the case back, which is protected with a small porthole backing made of Sapphire crystal. The emblematic design of the cushion-shaped 18K White Gold case is stunning and the design follows through with a fixed, cushion-shaped bezel which features a polished black ADLC covering on the 18K White Gold material.
In addition, this Emperador gives you a 18K White Gold crown as well as incredible dial accents of the highest quality. The dial features a real “black tie” look that oozes sophistication and luxury in a modern design that is without a doubt, an instant classic. Finally, the band chosen for this timepiece is a classic but appropriate choice: a black genuine alligator leather strap.
The Bad
The only negative aspect I wish was addressed was the 3 ATM water resistance. A timepiece like this is limited to 118 watches made, and they should be cherished and taken care of. Still, it would be a shame to waterlog this Emperador on accident and have to get it repaired. A 10 ATM would put me more at ease but even a 5 ATM should have been chosen. However, with the uniqueness of the 700P movement and the addition of the Sapphire case back porthole, it is understandable why this may not have been possible.
Functionality
The inverted architecture of the 700P movement shows off the main functional elements of the Emperador Coussin on the dial side, which is the gorgeous off-centred generator as well as the platinum oscillating weight that creates a stunningly harmonious figure 8. The calibre 700P automatic movement is a 32-jewel masterpiece that combines a mechanical calibre and quartz.
The functionality of the components on this Emperador Coussin XL are also beyond reproach. The dial is incredible and masks the fact that this timepiece simply tells the hour and minute. The offset, non-traditional dial at 5 o’clock is the main timekeeping generator of this Emperador, and using the incredibly brilliant sunburst pattern of the dial face from the centre offset dial point, you can mark the hours accurately with this design feature as opposed to using uniform indexes. The water resistance is only 3 ATM, but to be honest, I wouldn’t go anywhere near the ocean in this stunning Piaget. It can withstand splashes, rain, and an accidental plop in the water if shallow enough, but this Limited Edition should stay quite secure on your wrist using the trustworthy folding clasp.
Highlights
One of the main highlights of this Piaget timepiece is the new, ultra-thin calibre 700P automatic movement. Complete with a high-precision generator, this movement uses quartz technology that inverts any traditional design codes in watchmaking. The finish begins with a circular cote de Geneve from the centre of generator and a black and polished silver generator bridge. The platinum oscillating weight engraved with Piaget coat of arms adorns the dial while the main plate features a guilloche “sunburst” motif with a satin finish from the hours and minutes. This is a dial style that has been copied by fashion brands such as Emporio Armani watches in recent years, but the Piaget is the original, and is produced in a innumerably finer style.
Pricing
The Piaget Emperador Coussin (Cushion Shaped) 700P men’s timepiece retails for $70,000 and must be purchased by contacting a Piaget Concierge.