The Piaget Polo S collection was the brand’s entry into the integrated bracelet game in 2016, and so far we’ve seen the line-up include time only, chronograph and skeleton variations. It had to come sooner or later, and this time round for 2023, we see the first time that a perpetual calendar complication comes into the Polo (the “S” designation was dropped in 2022) collection.
The new Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra Thin comes in a fetching emerald green dial with a traditional perpetual calendar layout with four different indications at the cardinal points. Starting with the day of the week indicator at 9 o’clock, then to the month and leap year indicator at 12 o’clock, then to the date of the month indicator at 3 o’clock, and finally, a very subtle and discretely done moon-phase at 6 o’clock.
It’s all symmetrical and very nicely done, and the bluish green dial colour is nicely set against the horizontal guilloché pattern on the dial. Despite the many indications taking up the majority of the real estate on the dial, the legibility is good because the hands are relatively thick, and filled with a generous amount of lume, just like the indices. Though I haven’t tested this myself, it would seem that this watch will be excellent as a daily driver, being visible at all hours of the day or night.
The calibre that runs this watch is the new 1255P ultra-thin movement, which is a combination of Piaget’s own pre-existing 2.35mm thick 1200P ultra-thin calibre with micro-rotor and a perpetual calendar module on top. The result is that the new watch comes with a case thickness of 8.65mm which is pretty impressive for a perpetual calendar, although par for the course for a brand like Piaget.
On the wrist, the watch sits well due to its ultra thin profile which is in the goldilocks zone in my opinion, of having enough mass to feel like a proper watch, but not being so thin that it feels strange. The thinness makes the 42mm wide case wear smaller than the specifications suggest, which is nice. Furthermore the watch comes with Piaget’s new one push easy change bracelet, with an additional dial matching green rubber strap with a similar easy change system in the box that you can use when you have more sporty intentions.
At a quoted price at press time of 49,800 Euro, the Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra Thin comes in somewhat at the middle of the pack in relation to other high horology brands offering perpetual calendar watches. Given the stature of the brand, and the overall package that the watch is – being an ultra thin perpetual calendar in stainless steel – it does represent good value in this segment. For this reason, this new watch is a good first step in this direction, and accords well with the savoir-faire of the brand in high horology. Hopefully there will be more complicated offerings in this collection coming down the line.
Technical Specifications – Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra Thin
Reference: GOA48005
Dimensions: 42mm wide x 8 65mm thick
Case and bracelet: Ultra thin stainless Steel case and bracelet with additional green interchangeable rubber strap with folding buckle, sapphire case back
Calibre: Manufacture self-winding mechanical 1255P, 4mm thick
Frequency: 21,600 vph
Functions: Perpetual Calendar, Moonphase, Hours and Minutes
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Water resistance: 30 metres
Price: 49,800 Euro