From the brand that pioneered the thinnest movements in the world over 50 years ago comes a new revolution in watchmaking. Piaget has taken its iconic Polo and delved into the world of Perpetual Calendars. In true Piaget style, they’ve stuck to their founders’ motto of “always do better than necessary” and created a Perpetual Calendar movement that is only 4 mm thick and has a total case height of 8.65 mm.
Piaget has launched out of the blocks in 2023 with their latest iteration of the iconic Polo line, this time with the brand new Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin powered by the 1255P calibre. Not only has Piaget brought to life one of watchmaking’s most sophisticated complications, but they have added one of my personal favourites to it- a moon phase display.
Piaget has designed the calibre 12555P to advance the day, date, and year until 2100 – including the months, moon phases and leap-year cycle. Perpetual Calendars are engineering marvels in their own right. Piaget has brought its heritage and experience in Ultra Thin movements to this to create a calibre that is only 4 mm thick.
The Art Of Ultra Thin
Piaget has built its reputation first in the development and manufacturing of ultra-thin components and then in the development of ultra-thin movements.
“Combining watchmaking prowess, high-precision design and daring creativity, the in-house 12P movement launched in 1960 was the thinnest in the world because it drew on the idea of using a micro-rotor to ensure its ultra-thinness. Fifty years later, this calibre, in turn, gave rise to the new generation of 1200P calibre.“
For Piaget’s new 1255P ultra-thin 4 mm calibre, the Manufacture drew on the ultra-thin 1200P calibre with its extreme slimness and proven reliability while adding the Perpetual Calendar with the moon-phase mechanism. At just 8.65 mm thick overall, the new 42mm Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin brings the universe to the wrist while retaining the vibrant colours that the brand and Polo collection has become known for.
Style and Function
A stunning dark emerald-green dial with a gadroon pattern (now famous on Piaget’s Polo line) houses three subdials for the date, month (along with leap-year indication) and weekday at 9, 12 and 3 o’clock, along with the moon phase indication at 6 o’clock. True to Piaget tradition, the subdials incorporate several finishes, a mix of sunburst, polished and gadroon insets, adding visual richness to the dial, and giving it the character it deserves. To make the dial legible at night, the Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin fills both the hands and indices with generous amounts of SuperLuminova.
The gadroon design on the dial extends down to the bracelet, a nostalgic nod to vintage Polo models, whilst complimenting the same design on the case, which has been found on the Polo since 1979. This gives the bracelet a multi-faceted look that adds another dimension to the watch, catching the light as it hugs the wrist. The other major enhancement that Piaget has introduced is their brand-new interchangeable SingleTouch system, allowing the bracelet to be easily changed out for the comfortable rubber strap included. This allows you to change the watch’s personality to suit most occasions, from a dressier look to a sporty one.
A Legacy Of Effortless Distinction
Piaget says of the Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra Thin:
“The quintessential encounter between haute horlogerie and everyday wearability, the Piaget Polo slips seamlessly from day to night, public to private. Always fitting, never blending, it offers a contemporary narrative for the boldest, most versatile identities”.
In simple terms, Piaget has blended the complexity of unique watchmaking with the form and functionality that make the Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin both wearable and stylish and done so without compromise. The Piaget Polo is a sophisticated watch with style, elegance, charm and just that little bit of extravagance.
The Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin exudes this and more, and whether its wearer is the most discerning aficionado, or just a lover of great watches, in Piaget’s words, “The Polo is an invitation to liberate one’s versatility and self-expression, igniting a unique ability to fit in yet stand out.” In my eyes, uniqueness is a great quality everyone should embrace throughout their life, and I think that Piaget understands that, delivering this through the art of watchmaking. The Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin delivers on this.
Reference: GOA48005
Specification
- Case: 42mm x 8.65mm thick
- Case: Ultra-thin with sapphire crystal display case back.
- Dial: Dark green emerald dial with calendar indications displayed in three sub-counters. The date, month and weekday indicators are at 3, 12, and 9 o’clock, with the leap years indication within the month indicator. Moonphase indicator at 6 o’clock. SuperLuminova coating on hands and indexes.
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal
- Water resistance: 30 metres
- Movement: Manufacture self-winding mechanical 1255P, 4mm thick at 21’600 VPH
- Power reserve: 42 Hours
- Bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet with an additional green interchangeable rubber strap and folding buckle
