[dropcap]S[/dropcap]wiss watchmaker and jeweler, Piaget, took over Palm Beach to debut its Mediterranean Garden high jewelry collection and to host the annual Piaget Gold Cup at the International Polo Club (IPC). On Friday evening, Piaget CEO, Philippe Leopold-Metzger and President of Piaget North America, Larry Boland, teamed up with James R. Borynack, Chairman and CEO of Wally Findlay Galleries, to host an exclusive cocktail party at the Worth Avenue gallery. Palm Beach’s best and brightest joined a host of top polo players, including Ellerstina Piaget team members and brothers, Facundo Pieres, Gonzalo Pieres, Nico Pieres and cousin, Polito Pieres, as well as Piaget North America’s polo ambassador, Jeff Hall and his wife Michelle. Also in attendance were Helga Piaget, Geoffrey Bradfield, Roric Tobin, Dale and Marietta McNulty and Natalie Pray. Guests enjoyed champagne and hors d’oeuvres while admiring the House’s newest jewels inspired by the colors, spirit and lifestyle of the Riviera.
Sunday marked Piaget’s eighth consecutive year as the presenting sponsor and official timekeeper of the Piaget Gold Cup tournament, widely regarded as one of the sport’s most prestigious competitions. The day kicked off with a traditional pre-match brunch hosted by Mr. Metzger and Mr. Boland who were joined by close friends of the House, including Nico Pieres, Mariano Aguerre and IPC’s President John Wash and wife Toy at the 7th Chukker.
Following the brunch, guests were treated to an exhilarating competition between some of the world’s best polo players. Team Orchard Hill made its first Gold Cup final appearance and was led by Steve Van Andel, Ezequiel Ferrario, Polito Pieres and Facundo Pieres. Team Audi included Marc Ganzi, Fred Mannix, Rodrigo Andrade and Gonzalo Pieres. Although Team Audi led the score 8 to 5 by half time, Orchard Hill came through in the last four seconds of the sixth chukker to tie the score 15-15 and take the match into overtime. Audi ultimately emerged victorious over Orchard Hill to win the championship for the second time, with a final score of 16 to 15. Mr. Boland presented the coveted Piaget Gold Cup to Gonzalo Pieres, who was recognized as the Most Valuable Player. His mare was also named Best Playing Pony.
Piaget once again transformed the 7th Chukker terrace of the IPC stadium, showcasing select pieces from the Mediterranean Garden collection and from the Piaget Polo FortyFive timepiece collection. At the center of the presentation was a gleaming silver life-size polo pony and rider filled with hundreds of pink flowers.
Piaget has a long history with polo, dating back to the 1970s when Mr. Yves Piaget became a major advocate of the sport in Palm Beach. He strongly believed that polo embodied the same attributes of the brand: beauty, daring and precision. The House will be hosting the upcoming Piaget Hamptons Cup in August.
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