Piaget Opens Up its Polo Collection with New Blue and Gray Skeleton Dials
As a possible sign that it will be putting more of a spotlight on its sport-luxury gents' collections in 2021, Piaget has unveiled the latest iteration of the emblematic Polo, and the first with a skeletonized dial. The new Polo Skeleton watches, offered in blue and gray executions, bring a new look to the Piaget Polo S base design, which has garnered much attention since its 2016 launch, albeit more under the radar in recent years.
The modern Polo collection draws its inspiration from the original Piaget Polo that was popular in the 1980s, defined foremost defined by its “shape within a shape” case design, which brings together a cushion-shaped dial opening with a classically round case. Some of the contemporary series' other defining features include its integrated-style (though in fact easily detachable) bracelet, and horizontally textured, cool-toned dials, both of which identify the Polo S as Piaget’s answer to the rising trend in luxury steel sports watches with integrated bracelets and textured dials. These Polo Skeleton models are the watchmaker-jeweler's latest advancement of that now-familiar design, and like their predecessors strive for a sporty, all-purpose look with luxurious textures, colors, and finishing.
Both the blue-dominant and the gray-dominant model have a 42-mm-diameter steel case, elegantly thin at 6.5-mm (a Piaget hallmark) in the “shape within a shape” configuration. It has brushed finishing on its bezel, polished accents on its sides and lugs, and alternating finishing on the steel H-style bracelet, which is equipped with an integrated folding clasp.
The thinness of the case is accented with the use of a small, signed crown on its right side and flat sapphire crystals to protect both its skeletonized dial and its exhibited movement via the caseback. The case of these models is actually quite a bit slimmer than the previous solid-dial models — about 30 percent slimmer, to be exact, and down from the original 9.4-mm thickness on the original Polo S models. This reduction was made possible by the openworking of the dial and the more fully integrated movement.
The namesake skeletonized dial, whose main elements are finished in either blue or gray, also feature various metallic, anthracite, white, and purple accents. Key details are found in the outer sector's cushion shape and its simple minute ring; it's connected to the skeletonized heart of the dial via applied triangular hour markers. The watch’s inner workings are on full display, with elements having excellent finishing quality throughout. At the center of the dial are two skeletonized, stylized sword hands for the hour and minute, but the watch noticeably eschews a seconds counter, which was a feature previously seen within the Polo S line.
The rear side offers a back view of the skeletonized movement, Piaget Caliber 1200S. The ultra-slender automatic movement (just 2.4 mm) is power by a slate-colored micro-rotor and stores a 42-hour power reserve. As on the front side that acts as the dial, the back side boasts blue or gray finishing on its primary components, with other colors used for some details, like the purple-colored jewels seen throughout.
Between the thinness, skeletonization, finishing quality, and color choices, Piaget is really shining in this latest take on the modern Polo design. It’s difficult to looks at these skeletonized models and not recall other Piaget favorites — both exceptionally thin watches like the Altiplano Ultimate Concept and more conceptually-minded timepieces like the quartz-regulated, micro-rotor-bearing Emperador Coussin XL 700P. It speaks to Piaget’s expertise in these areas that this skeletonized extension may well end up attracting even more attention than the original flagship models. This of course may well be to Piaget's benefit, allowing the Polo family to offer appeal beyond the increasingly saturated market of integrated-bracelet sport-luxury watches with more traditional dials.
Each of the new Piaget Polo Skeletons is anticipated to become available later this year, and will be equipped standard with both the H-style steel bracelet and with interchangeable alligator leather straps. Once released fully and available in boutiques, both will be priced at $34,300.
To learn more and inquire for purchase, you can visit Piaget’s official website, here.
