Piaget is having a major moment in the watch industry right now. Its core design language—with bold aesthetics and a distinctly 1970s flair—is very en vogue, and it’s celebrating a milestone anniversary: 150 years. The brand kicked off the year with the Polo 79, a thoroughly modern interpretation of its very first Polo from 1979. Now, we get another extension of the beloved Polo line in the form of a pair of Polo dates and a new Altiplano that puts Piaget’s proficiency in the realm of ultra-thin calibers on full display.
The Polo is a collection that strikes that perfect balance of utility and style. As the name suggests, its roots trace back to the sport, and the original hails from the peak era of luxury sport watches. However, from the onset, Piaget gave the model a sophisticated edge with the use of precious metal, yellow gold to be exact from the original 1979 model. In the four decades since its initial debut, Piaget has iterated on the Polo in many forms, including the introduction of a more traditional stainless steel variation with the Polo S in 2016.
With the two new additions to the Polo lineup (each limited to just 300 pieces), we get that classic stainless steel build along with the addition of a sporty rubber strap in place of the integrated bracelet. However, Piaget elevates each model with the incorporation of rose gold accents on the hands, hour markers, and date window. The 150th anniversary Polo Date comes in two sizes: 42mm and 36mm. I’m a rather petite gal, but I’ve been known to rock a 42mm sport watch from time to time (in fact I’m wearing one right now). That said, the 42mm Polo Date definitely errs on the larger side while remaining highly wearable. I’m typically not a big fan of diamond accents, but the gem-set bezel and indices of the 36mm variation add just the right touch of femininity and elegance to the model. They also provide a nice contrast to the sportiness of the rubber strap, which appears in the 36mm sizing for the first time.
As a total departure from the three Polo releases, Piaget provides us with a new ultra-thin version of the Altiplano. Ultra-thin watches have become increasingly in-demand in recent years, with brands constantly competing to develop a new world record. However, Piaget’s work in the realm of ultra-thin calibers long pre-dates the trend, tracing all the way back to 1957 with the launch of its caliber 9P, which measured just 2mm thick.
With the new Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon 150th Anniversary, Piaget maintains that impressive 2mm of thickness with the addition of a flying tourbillon complication—no small feat. The brand accomplishes this in just 41.5mm of real estate. Compared to the Polo (just 0.5mm larger), the new Altiplano fits beautifully and would be highly accessible for any wrist thanks to the paper-thin build and feather-light weight. This model felt absolutely effortless on the wrist. Despite its razor-thin construction, the watch is remarkably robust with a blue PVD-treated cobalt alloy case. Speaking of the case, the complete integration of the case and movement is precisely how Piaget achieves the 2mm thickness. Aside from technical feats, the Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon 150th Anniversary continues to strike that ideal balance of form and function with an elevated interplay of contrasting materials in the brand’s trademark colors: blue and gold. Piaget
