The Frederic Piguet 21 is a manual-winding mechanical movement crafted by Frédéric Piguet SA, a prestigious Swiss movement manufacturer renowned for its high-quality watch calibers. Founded in 1858, Frédéric Piguet has built a strong reputation for producing elegant, precise, and reliable movements, often serving as the base for many luxury watch brands.

Technical Specifications

• Type: Manual winding

• Diameter: Approximately 12 lignes (about 27 mm)

• Jewels: Typically 17

• Functions: Hours, minutes, and small seconds

• Frequency: Generally operates at 18,000 vibrations per hour (vph) or 21,600 vph depending on the version

• Power Reserve: Around 40-45 hours

Design and Features

The Frederic Piguet 21 is celebrated for:

• Robust construction with a clean and traditional architecture

• Small seconds subdial, typically located at 6 o’clock

• Fine finishing and precise regulation making it suitable for luxury dress watches

• Use of high-quality materials and reliable components to ensure durability and accuracy

• A relatively slim profile for its class, allowing it to be used in elegant and thin watches

Applications in Watchmaking

This caliber was primarily used in:

• High-end manual-wind wristwatches, especially dress watches

• Timepieces requiring a small seconds complication

• Watches produced by prestigious brands that valued precision and craftsmanship

• Models where a classic and refined mechanical movement was desired

Watchmaker’s Perspective

Watchmakers and collectors appreciate the Frederic Piguet 21 for:

• Its mechanical reliability and longevity

• The ease of maintenance owing to its straightforward layout

• Its role as a high-quality base movement for many luxury watch brands

• The classic aesthetic and timeless design which appeals to traditionalists

Conclusion

The Frederic Piguet 21 exemplifies Swiss watchmaking excellence in a compact manual-wind caliber. Renowned for its precision, durability, and elegant design, it has been a trusted movement in fine mechanical wristwatches. Today, it remains highly regarded among collectors and watchmakers who appreciate traditional craftsmanship and timeless horological artistry.