The handover of Hong Kong in 1997 stands as one of the most significant dates of the century, marking the transformation of a once modest “fishing village” into one of the world’s leading cities in finance and business. Hong Kong has always been a unique place, renowned for its diverse population and cultures, catering to the needs of all its citizens.

As a major hub for Swiss watch exports, Hong Kong has cultivated a distinct appreciation for watch collecting. To commemorate this pivotal event, Piaget, known for its expertise in creating ultra-thin mechanical movements and elegant designs that blend haute horlogerie with haute joaillerie, crafted a one-of-a-kind piece that is both exceptionally complicated and a statement in the industry.

From a distance, the lavishly decorated baguette diamonds on the front bezel and bow catch the eye, encircling an intricately engraved dragon on the yellow gold case. The dragon, deeply rooted in Chinese culture and featured in the Chinese Zodiac, symbolizes power, strength, and benevolence, making it a revered mythological figure associated with prosperity and imperial authority.

Turning the watch over reveals another exquisite engraving depicting a 1990s view of Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong Island skyline, featuring recognizable landmarks like Jardine House, the General Post Office, Exchange Square, and Central Pier—a scene instantly recognizable to anyone who grew up in Hong Kong. This imagery is encircled by baguette-cut emeralds adorning the bezel and bow, showcasing a true luxury piece that marries haute horlogerie with haute joaillerie.

The caseband is further adorned with baguette-cut diamonds, with the minute repeater slider set with baguette-cut emeralds. In total, the case features 246 baguette-cut diamonds (22.6 carats) and 89 baguette-cut emeralds (8.83 carats), including those on the caseback, bow, and crown, which has a brilliant-cut diamond of 0.07 carats.

As a true high jewelry timepiece, the marvel continues inside the hunting case, revealing a beautiful dial crafted in 18K yellow gold with a guilloché center. It is set with 60 baguette-cut diamonds (2.17 carats), baguette-cut emerald hour markers (0.86 carats), 12 brilliant-cut diamonds, and mother-of-pearl inserts.

The movement is equally impressive, gold-gilted and fully engraved, based on a grand complication movement from the early 20th century, entirely restored and transformed by Piaget. It features a Westminster minute repeater, with each of the four hammers marked according to piano keys: Sol-Do-Ré and M (G-C-D-E). The matching chain, also crafted in 18K yellow gold, is set with 12 square-cut emeralds (1.02 carats) and 108 brilliant-cut diamonds (1.80 carats), with a base forged in rock crystal inlaid with onyx.

Such an important timepiece required Piaget’s master craftsmen to devote their full expertise in both watchmaking and jewelry-making to its creation, a process involving hundreds of hours of work exclusively by the brand. The timepiece was first presented at SIHH 1996 in Geneva, with an impressive public price of CHF 1,700,000, and the owner commissioned the present gold-engraved covers to commemorate this significant event in Hong Kong.

Crafted for a distinguished collector who appreciates the beauty of traditional watchmaking alongside the elegance of high complications and jewelry, this piece is undoubtedly unique and showcases the pinnacle of haute horlogerie. Offered complete with all accessories and the original purchasing invoice from 1998, it represents a significant timepiece in Hong Kong and Asian culture.