1970's Piaget Beta 21 Lapis Dial 18K Yellow Gold Ref. 14101 C10

Alpha Beta Lapis

The 1970s were a turning point for watchmaking, when quartz technology began to challenge everything that had come before. The Beta 21 was Switzerland’s early response — a joint effort between a number of leading manufactures, and one of the first serious quartz movements to come out of the country. Piaget was quick to adopt it, but in their own way. Rather than focusing purely on the technical side, they used it as a base to continue doing what they did best — creating watches that were as much about design and materials as they were about timekeeping.

This reference 14101 C10 is a good example of that approach. The case is solid 18k yellow gold, with a stepped construction that feels very typical for Piaget of the period. The proportions are dictated by the Beta 21 movement inside, which was larger than most mechanical calibres at the time, but Piaget managed to turn that constraint into a design feature. The integrated bracelet completes the look nicely and gives the watch a certain presence on the wrist without feeling overdone.

The lapis dial is what really draws you in. Each one is different, with natural variations in the stone that give it depth and a slightly unpredictable character. Piaget were among the few who executed these dials consistently well, and within the Beta 21 models, lapis examples are not something you come across often. The contrast between the deep blue and the yellow gold works particularly well here.

Powered by the Beta 21 quartz movement, this watch sits at an interesting moment in time — where traditional Swiss watchmaking was adapting to something entirely new. It’s not just about the movement, but about how brands like Piaget responded to it. Pieces like this feel very much of their era, yet still hold their own today, especially when preserved in this kind of condition.