Pierre Cardin x Jaeger "Espace" PC 117 - c. 1970

When Jaeger Meets Pierre Cardin: Playing with Conventions.

Description

This watch, known as the PC 117 and designed by Pierre Cardin, is the perfect embodiment of the French designer’s boldness and imagination. Designed for Jaeger, it breaks with the traditional stylistic conventions of watchmaking. It’s a metal design piece worn on the wrist, a testament to a period and to the extravagance Cardin was known for: Parisian soirées, Courrèges skirts, colorful patterns... It can be worn on a black bracelet, but why not pair it with a colorful one? A play on materials and volumes so characteristic of the 1970s. Not just a rectangular watch. A watch that appears to have been off-center, almost flattened, with sharp angles yet also full of curves. 

Why did Françoise choose it?

Françoise loves these slightly eccentric models that are completely out of the ordinary. Truly unique pieces you won’t find anywhere else, withdesigns thatbreak free from the familiar. Watches that, though Vintage, seem futuristic. It is undoubtedly a watch that reflects its period.A rare model that will delight collectors and enthusiasts of extraordinary watches—with Jaeger quality, of course. A timeless piece, typical of 1970s design, that definitely calls for a confident sense of style. It would pair very well with a casual yet understated outfit to create a striking contrast.

History

Launched from 1971 to 1973, the Espace collection marked the collaboration between designer Pierre Cardin and watchmaker Jaeger. It is said to have been inspired by space missions, notably Yuri Gagarin’s 1961 flight. The watches were made from non-precious materials such as metal, Lucite, crystals, and so on. All were designed with a manual-winding movement and feature designs that play on geometric volumes, with lines inspired by the world of space.