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Piaget Hobnail - 18K White Gold

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A Masterclass In Texture And Form

In the 1970s, Piaget was the undisputed master of ultra-thin watchmaking, a technical advantage that gave them the freedom to create some of the era's most expressive designs. This reference 9123 is a perfect example of that confidence. Cased in solid 18K white gold, the watch is a study in texture, with a hobnail finish that flows seamlessly from the bezel directly onto the dial. This was not just a watch, but a piece of integrated design that showcased Piaget's dual mastery as both a high jeweler and a technical watchmaker.

A Unique Link To Tokyo's Ginza District

This example is distinguished by a specific piece of its history engraved on the caseback: “Building Ginza.” Ginza is Tokyo’s most famous luxury shopping and business district, a hub for international commerce and culture. The engraving strongly suggests this watch was originally a corporate gift or commemorative piece tied to a significant entity in this prestigious area. It gives the watch a unique and tangible provenance, linking it to a specific time and place in one of the world's most important cities.

Excellent And Unpolished Condition

The 18K white gold case is in great cosmetic condition and, importantly, remains unpolished. The hobnail texture on the bezel and dial is sharp and well-defined. Both the dial and the crystal are clean and free from any significant scratches or marks. The watch is fitted to an aftermarket grey leather strap. As with every watch we offer, this piece has been verified as mechanically sound and is ready to wear.

The Ritual Of The Wind

This is a watch for someone who appreciates pure design and discreet luxury. It offers a sophisticated alternative to the more common rectangular watches of the era. Because it is a manual-wind timepiece, it asks for a moment of engagement each day. The ritual of winding the crown creates a physical connection between the owner and the machine, a quiet reminder of the craft and precision at its core. It works today for the same reason it did in the 1970s: perfect execution is timeless.

Key Specs

Reference: 9123

Model: Hobnail

Year: 1970s

Movement: Manual

Case Size: 25 × 29mm

Bezel: 18K White Gold Hobnail

Strap: Aftermarket Grey Leather

Dial: Silver Hobnail

Metal: 18K White Gold

SKU: 244

History

Georges Edouard Piaget founded his manufactory in La Côte-aux-Fées in 1874, and for decades the company's reputation rested on its ability to produce movements of exceptional thinness — calibers that other high houses bought and put in their own watches. When Piaget began producing watches under its own name in the late 1950s and 1960s, it brought that ultra-thin expertise directly to the dial.

The Altiplano is Piaget's flagship ultra-thin collection, a direct expression of that founding expertise. The Grenade is a bold gem-set cocktail watch — all pave diamonds, colored stones, and sculptural bezels — occupying the space between watch and jewel without apology. The Limelight Gala, produced from the 2010s onward, is the modern heir to that cocktail tradition: an 18-karat white gold round case set with diamonds, a slim quartz movement, and a leather strap. All three collections reflect the same dual mastery that Piaget has always commanded: the thinnest movements in the world, in cases worth wearing.