Today's offering showcases this very rare and visually striking Van Cleef & Arpels vintage mens watch manufactured by Piaget, a collaboration that represents the intersection of Parisian high jewelry design and Genevan ultra-thin watchmaking mastery.

This watch is not about complication or excess - it is about proportion, surface, and taste. The sculptural rectangular case, executed in solid 18K gold, carries a distinctly high-fashion presence that could only come from Van Cleef & Arpels, a maison whose design language has always lived closer to couture and fine jewelry than to traditional tool watchmaking. It wears as jewelry, as design, and as an object of refined restraint.

What elevates this example further is its original dial, which has aged naturally into something that feels closer to art than timekeeping. Over decades, the surface has developed a richly textured, organic patina with depth, movement, and tonal variation that cannot be replicated or restored. Like a naturally aged canvas or a found object shaped by time, the dial now possesses a visual character that is entirely unique.

Powering the watch is Piaget’s legendary caliber 9P, one of the most celebrated ultra-thin movements ever created. Introduced in the late 1950s, the 9P was a technical triumph. Measuring just over 2mm thick, about the thickness of a U.S. half dollar, it became the foundation upon which Piaget built its global reputation for ultra-slim excellence and earned multiple international awards. To this day, the 9P series is regarded as one of the finest hand-wound ultra-thin dress movements of the 20th century.

This watch is not a common Van Cleef & Arpels reference. In our extensive web research, we have been able to identify only one other example of this reference (9261) publicly documented. That scarcity, combined with the Piaget manufacture and the extraordinary originality of the dial, places this watch in a category that transcends typical vintage dress watches.

This is a piece for a collector who values design, discretion, and rarity.

We were fortunate to acquire it in pleasing all-original condition. Its case presents as just short of mint. Originally designed for men and by today's standards a midsized watch, it would be suitable for a man who doesn't have large wrists or a woman.

Its original and untouched signed Van Cleef & Arpels dial has ghosted gilt printing.

One of our Master Watchmakers, who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker and has done authorized work for the Cartier Service Center and the Richemont Group, the owners of Piaget, has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, installing a correct new mainspring, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $995 value).

We have also timed it on a machine that simulates it being worn on the wrist. It is keeping very accurate time.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity.

If you're looking for a special VC&A watch don't miss this one. Even with their five figure price tags, expensive new 18K VC&A watches can't match the charm, history, and rarity of this vintage original.

Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. As mentioned, one has done authorized work for the Cartier Service Center and the Richemont Group, the owners of Piaget.

Van Cleef & Arpels:

Van Cleef & Arpels was one of France's premier watch retailers similar to Tiffany & Co. here in the States or Cartier. Like many watches made for Tiffany, Cartier, and other high-end retailers, the Parisian company's watches were made by premier Swiss watch firms and privately labeled with the retailers name.

Manufacturer: Piaget for Van Cleef & Arpels
Case no.: 179,295
Movement no.: 752,408
Functions: Hours and Minutes
Designed for: Original men - today a unisex watch
Case material: 18K gold
Case condition: Its case presents as just short of mint
Dimensions: 24mm diameter (excluding the crown) by 28mm long
Dial: Gloss black with gold painted Roman and baton baton indices, signed Van Cleef & Arpels, original with ghosted gilt printing with stunning pattern that complements the color of the printing
Hands: Original, gold "batons"
Movement type: Piaget caliber 9P, extremely high grade, hand wound, 18 jewels, rhodium plated, fausses cotes decoration, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and five positions, shock resistant, self-compensating free sprung balance spring
Band: Shell Cordovan, handmade, made for and signed Nomos Glashutte, high quality, fully stitched, brand new and unworn. Also accompanying the watch is its original 18K Piaget gold buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, excellent condition
Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers, who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker and has done authorized work for the Cartier Service Center and the Richemont Group, the owners of Piaget, has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, installing a correct new mainspring, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $995 value).
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. We have also timed it on a machine that simulates it being worn on the wrist. It is keeping very accurate time.
Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. As mentioned, one has done authorized work for the Cartier Service Center and the Richemont Group, the owners of Piaget.
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide

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