From the humble date and sporty chronograph to the traditional tourbillon and complex minute repeater, Piaget’s Polo line integrates an array of watchmaking wonders. Yet 2023 marks a first for the line as Piaget introduces a perpetual calendar to the Polo’s core collection for the first time. Meet the Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-thin.
The case of the new Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-thin has a 42 mm diameter. Yet the height of 8.65 mm is an important part of this watch. The slimness of the case is an impressive feat for a watch housing a complicated perpetual calendar movement. In addition, the case and bracelet of the new timepiece are both steel: a classic choice for core models in the Polo collection. The sporty timepiece is water-resistant to 30 m.
Piaget opt for an attractive dark green, emerald-coloured dial with the Polo’s typical gadroon pattern. Naturally, Piaget use several finishings on the dial, creating an extra level of depth and varying green tones according to the lighting. Meanwhile, the calendar indications are displayed in three sub-counters. The date, month, and weekday indicators are at 3, 12 and 9 o’clock, while the leap years indication sits within the month indicator. The subtly integrated moonphase lies at 6 o’clock. In addition, Piaget use Superluminova on the hands and indices of this athletic yet elegant timepiece for round-the-clock legibility.
In 1960, Piaget launched its ultra-thin 12P calibre, making history as the thinnest movement in the world at the time. The new-generation version of this famed calibre is the 1200P, measuring 2.35 mm in height. Now, the Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-thin’s calibre, the 1255P, draws upon the 1200P. Despite its complex inner workings, the new 1255P has a height of only 4 mm.
Perpetual calendars have been in use since the 18th century, with the first known example being made by revered watchmaker Thomas Mudge in 1762. The perpetual calendar provides the day, date, and year until 2100, whilst also accounting for leap years. Alongside a power reserve of 42 hours, the new self-winding calibre beats at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vph). Owners of the watch can admire the new calibre via the sapphire crystal caseback.
The new Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-thin comes with a matching steel bracelet. Notably, the bracelet uses the brand-new interchangeable SingleTouch system, meaning wearers can also easily switch to the additional green rubber strap with folding buckle. Price: 59,500 euros.
