1982 Piaget Onyx Dial with Eastern Hindi Numerals White Gold Ref. 9597 D2

A Special Order for Saudi Arabia

The Middle East has long been known for its opulent approach to luxury. Watches and jewellery made for the region were often more extravagant, more lavish and, in many cases, genuinely one of a kind. It is fair to say that this part of the world has always commanded a very high standard of luxury.

But luxury does not always mean the most expensive or the most elaborate. Sometimes it is simply the freedom and ability to commission something special from the most respected and well-established maisons. That is luxury on another level, and historically it was reserved for a very select clientele.

Before we get to the watch, it is worth telling the story properly.
We were contacted by someone in Saudi Arabia offering us a Piaget for sale, and the moment we saw the pictures, we knew we had to have it. We then got in touch with someone from the Piaget Heritage Department who kindly looked the watch up in their archives and confirmed that this was not a regular production piece.

This 18K white gold Ref. 9597 was made to order in 1982 and delivered to Mouawad, the Lebanese jeweller and one of the early importers of fine Swiss watches into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As early as the 1950s, Mouawad was already an authorised retailer for brands including Patek Philippe, Rolex, Piaget and other leading Swiss houses, while also becoming known for producing exceptional jewellery for members of the Saudi Royal Family.

The watch is entirely made in 18K white gold and features a beautifully proportioned hexagonal case, decorated around the bezel with a meticulous hand-finished bark texture.

The bracelet is equally special. Its heavy construction is made up of tiny engraved beads arranged in a crossover pattern, creating a soft, almost woven texture while still feeling substantial on the wrist.

The dial is cut from black onyx and features Arabic-Hindi numerals printed in silver, a combination that works particularly well with the white gold case and bracelet. From our research, this appears to be one of only a very small number of Piaget dials from the period to feature Arabic-Hindi numerals.

The watch also appears to have been worn only occasionally, if at all. There is remarkably little wear, with some of the minor marks possibly coming simply from storage and handling over the years. Measuring approximately 190 mm in total length, the bracelet appears to remain at full length and retains its original Piaget-signed clasp.

We are not aware of another example in this exact configuration. Unless another one surfaces, we strongly believe this remarkable Piaget could be a unique piece — a watch specially commissioned for the Saudi market and delivered through Mouawad in 1982.