In what is turning out to be a very good year for reissues (are you listening, Dior? get with the program!), Robert Piguet is planning to reintroduce two fragrances from their back catalog this fall, Visa for women and Cravache for men.
Visa was originally developed by perfumer Germaine Cellier, and launched in 1945 (after Bandit but before Fracas). The new version of the "classic oriental" was created by perfumer Aurelien Guichard, who also developed last year's reissue of Baghari.
A blend of spices, flowers and fruits from different areas of the globe, Visa de Robert Piguet is its wearer's passport to an exotic encounter. Visa opens with lush notes of white vineyard peach, pear, violet leaves and Italian bergamot and yellow mandarin essences. Heart notes include rich ylang essence mingled with rose, immortelle and orange flower absolutes. Essence of Indonesian Patchouli and sandalwood, vetiver, moss, vanilla beans, benzoin and a gourmand leathery accord compose the drydown.
Robert Piguet Visa will be available in 30 ml Parfum; 50 or 100 ml Eau de Parfum.
Cravache was originally introduced in 1963:
Now, the formula has been rebalanced to blend tradition and modernity. New, exciting and distinct, this warm elixir combines mandarin, lemon and petit grain mingled with clary sage, lavender, nutmeg, patchouli and vetiver.
Robert Piguet Cravache will be available in 50 and 100 ml Eau de Toilette and in matching grooming products. (via Fashion Fragrances and Cosmetics)
I am very excited about these, especially Visa. I think they sound wonderful (I don't know the originals) and I thought Baghari was exceptionally well done.
I finally got to smell the original Baghari, and I do think they did a lovely job with the new. Not my cup of tea, exactly, but still, a great scent.
I recently bought Visa, having tested it late last year. Its different from the orientals I normally wear, but I love it. It has a classic scent and is definitely not too sweet (I absolutely hate sweet). It's quite a beautiful perfume.
It doesn't suit me, but it's beautifully done. Piguet has done a really nice job on these reissues, although so far, don't think they've dug up anything that is going to challenge Fracas or Bandit for “icon” status.
i HATE fracas with a passion, but was so surprised by Visa! i thought it would be “old lady” but it's a strong fruity floral in the same vein as Givenchy Amarige and CK Escape. If you loved those two, you will love Visa! this is the fragrance i want to wear when i'm in my 40s. personally i think this is too strong, bold, and sumptous to be a “young” fragrance in this current time, b/c it can be cloying to some. and it's not an “office friendly” fragrance. but it is potent, heady, fruity but not overly musky or “old”. very modern. i like it!
Visa is really nicely done, but not my cup of tea — I'll stick with my Fracas, and we must have nearly opposite tastes 🙂
I just tried Visa today, and unlike the commenter two spots up, it didn’t strike me as being particularly “fruity”, which I consider a good thing. I get more of the floral notes. The drydown is a bit on the sweet side, but I like it. I don’t smell the vetiver in it, but I get a lot of vanilla and benzoin, and I think I get a little patchouli and a bit of the leather accord. I can’t afford a FB, but a decant might be tempting.