50 . Piaget
A fine and very rare white gold , diamond and sapphire-set rectangular bracelet watch with ‘ Beta 21 ’ movement and fitted presentation box
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Manufacturer Piaget Year 1972
Reference No . 14105 Movement No . 721 ’ 566 Case No . 214 ’ 179 Material 18k white gold , diamonds and sapphires Calibre Quartz , Beta 21 Bracelet / Strap 18k white gold Piaget bracelet , 140 mm . maximum length
Clasp / Buckle 18k white gold Piaget folding clasp stamped Piaget Dimensions 34 mm . width Signed
Case and movement signed
Estimate HKD 230,000-400,000 USD 28,000-50,000
Accessories With Piaget fitted presentation box .
Literature For another example of a diamond-set ‘ Beta 21 ’ wristwatch however with diamond-set bracelet , please see Piaget by Cologni , Negretti and Nencini , page 159 .
The Quartz movement was first invented in 1928 by Bell Labs , and was mainly used for practical purposes such as time keeping in laboratories . It was only until the 1970s that Quartz movements were regularly used in wristwatches .
The Beta-21 was first created in 1969 , and made its debut during Basel later that year . At the time , the Beta-21 was revolutionary as it was the most accurate quartz movement to be offered on the market - the movement was accurate to 5 seconds per month . Due to the movement ’ s large and bulky size , watchmakers soon developed their own in house movements and gradually moved away from the Beta-21 .
Today , watches fitted with the Beta- 21 have increased in popularity and collectability as they represent a very important moment in the history of watchmaking . The present watch by Piaget houses the Beta-21 in its substantial watch case . Embellished with sapphires and over 156 brilliant-cut diamonds , the watch also features a beautiful textured bracelet - a hallmark of Piaget ’ s great craftsmanship .