“A Nod to Elegance and Sporting Prowess Revived”
In a remarkable tribute to its storied legacy, Piaget is resurrecting a horological legend that encapsulated the essence of the 1980s. Originally unveiled in 1979, the iconic Piaget Polo is making a triumphant return, meticulously reimagined for the Maison’s 150th anniversary.
Piaget, renowned for its exquisite timepieces, recognized a shifting lifestyle among its clientele at the turn of the 1980s. Yves Piaget articulated, “We really had to answer to this particular demand of our customers who are used to getting just dress watches. But now our customers like to do more and more sports. That’s part of the evolution of our lives today. They want to be exquisite, even in sport. They want to wear a better watch, even in their sports. So we created this sport line which is waterproof, shockproof.”
Responding to this demand, the ‘Piaget Polo’ emerged—a watch that seamlessly blended elegance with sports functionality. Now reintroduced as the Piaget Polo ’79, 45 years after its debut, the timepiece remains aligned with the contemporary spirit and the elite Piaget Society.
Unlike other elegant sports watches of the 1970s, Piaget’s Polo stood out as a masterpiece of modern design, presenting the timekeeper and bracelet as a unified aesthetic entity, crafted entirely in gold. Inspired by Yves Piaget’s passion for horses and high society, the Polo became synonymous with the glamour of the 1980s, gracing both the nightclubs of New York and the Polo Clubs of Palm Beach.
The bracelet, with alternating polished gadroon and brushed block links, seamlessly extended from bracelet to case, forming an integral part of the dial. A true luxury statement, the Piaget Polo embraced shock resistance and waterproof features without compromising on opulence—an unprecedented approach in an era when Piaget exclusively worked with precious metals.
The profile on the wrist was achieved through Piaget’s mastery of ultra-thin movements, both mechanical and quartz. The Polo featured the groundbreaking 7P quartz movement and later the 1.95mm 8P, while the celebrated mechanical calibre 9P found its place in certain models. The Polo’s popularity led to a myriad of variations, showcasing its versatility.
The Piaget Polo ’79 revives the original design with subtle updates, incorporating the ultra-thin 1200P1 in-house self-winding calibre, visible through the crystal back of a slightly enlarged 38mm case. Retaining the allure that captivated the jet set 45 years ago, Piaget’s Polo ’79 stands as a testament to sports elegance, distinguishing itself in the realm of elegant sports watches.
For more information, please visit Piaget.com.