This summer, Piaget surprised its collectors with a new size of its sporty Polo. The Piaget Polo Date 36 comes in 6 variations ranging from steel to high jewellery – a common factor being the date display and the automatic movement. We have a look today at the four more down to earth versions and let the highly sparkling pieces shine closer to the sun.
In a fulminant quartz crisis, Piaget launched a concept designed by Yves G. Piaget. It was 1979 and the watch was a super cool quartz piece with a fabulous integrated metal bracelet. The original Polo was a huge success for the brand and remained until today an icon. The modern iteration was introduced in 2016 and brought a unique flair to the line. This summer, Piaget released a more delicate version in only 36mm – a delight for any collector appreciating a classic size.
The same cool design, just smaller
Piaget Polo Date 36 is the same kind of beast as the bigger 42mm watches. Respecting the same lines and curves, Piaget offers the new collection in various materials like steel, steel with diamonds, rose gold with diamonds and even white gold with diamond full paved dial and bracelet.
The Polo’s Date 36 case features a series of brushes combined with polished chamfer and lugs’ faces. This contrast highlights the beautiful cushion shape integrated into the round bezel. This gimmick of the ’70s with shape within a shape is more contemporary than ever.
The choice of diamonds or no diamonds is reserved only for the steel version. This non-paved bezel and the comfortable 36mm diameter makes it excellent even for a man collector – so watch out ladies, it is the time when men can take your watches too. So a non-paved version would make sense also in the gold versions. The diamond-set bezel features a chic 60 brilliant-cut, in different sized stones, to gracefully follow the cushioned-style lines.
Piaget Polo Date 36 is offered with a classic quick-change strap system. Choosing a strap requires a bit of exercise at first, but after the accommodation period, you need less than a minute to install a bracelet or one of the leather strap choices. The bracelet uses polished and brushed elements.
Even with the choice of a metal bracelet, the Piaget Polo Date 36 is a rather elegant piece. The lovely lines are more subtle on the leather strap choices, but most of the women I know prefer this watch on a full metal option. Despite that, I cannot range it as a sports/utility piece but more as a robust daily watch.
The Polo dial and 36 diamonds
The reduced size Polo comes in three dial variations: the Piaget signature blue (visible above) and reserved only for the non-diamond set models, the white opaline version on the diamond-setted watches and the full paved dial (not available in this article).
The Piaget blue dial is an exquisite exemplary: the colour of the dial, case design and overall good looking. We find again the horizontal grooves, familiar now from the larger models. Printed details play around the luxurious hour indexes. As part of Piaget jewellery expertise, the diamond setting on the indexes is sublime. Skeletonised and faceted hands reveal the time easily.
When it comes to the white opaline, the Polo Date 36 opens up. The horizontal lines are again well visible, contributing to the Polo’s charm. I find the brighter version going well with the diamond-set bezel. It is well exemplified in the official video below.
The opaline dial is the same regardless of steel version or rose gold. On the steel version, the rose gold applique create the charisma of the bicolour watches without the external need for gold and on the rose gold watches just go naturally. The hands follow the same idea with rose gold skeletonised hands. Note the “P” logo integrated at the counterbalance of the seconds’ hand.
The second most important feature (after the automatic movement) is the date. Displayed at 6 o’clock, the date, black on white, is highly visible. Even if the aperture is relatively small (but well balanced in the dial’s design), the frame in the colour of the case is highlighting well the date for a fast and easy readout.
For the full diamond paved versions are used 352 stones set in a circular pattern. It would be interesting to see how it will look with a horizontal setting. On these versions, the hands are manufactured in white gold (as the case).
It (re)becomes a must – an automatic movement
Piaget Polo Date 36 is powered by a sweet but robust self-winding movement, the calibre 500P1. Piaget is renowned for its thin movements and it is known in horological history with some super cool movements used as ebauche for other brands. So I always wondered why are not there more small pieces with mechanical movement.
Calibre 500P1 is able to display hours, minutes and seconds, plus date. Beating with 28.800 vph, the movement offers 40 hours of autonomy. Keeping in mind the gorgeous rotor weight with NAC treatment and engraved Piaget heraldic, the dimensions of 20.8mm diameter and 3.63mm thickness are not bad at all. These permit a watch thickness of 8.8mm, mandatory for the balance of the watch’s dimensions and an overall good feel.
Piaget Polo Date 36 is a lovely piece and the movement reflects the beauty of the watch but also the expertise of the brand. We can observe circular Côtes de Genève, circular-grained mainplate, bevelled bridges and thermally blued screws. The show is stolen by the contrasting rotor.
Created with the collector in mind
Piaget Polo Date 36 is a lovely, rather elegant collection. Since now the lines between genres and styles are blurred, we can consider the new 36mm collection as an ideal choice for any watch lover with a desire for a smaller diameter. I know a lot of men (myself included) that enjoy the under 39mm diameter watches (the smallest I wear is a 33mm). At the same time, most of the ladies collectors I know prefer mechanical pieces.
Diana’s take: While not running from diamonds, I found the blue Piaget steel version ideal for me. The metal bracelet is a wish but the date is mandatory – during the hard-working days, just a look at the watch allows me to know where I am situated in time. The automatic movement is highly desirable: drinking coffee in the morning and setting the watch is a good distraction but also a relaxed entry in the working day. I would prefer anytime just to set a watch than just leave it behind because of a depleted battery. I like the bracelet but I appreciate the possibility of accessorising the watch easier for my outfit. Sometimes I am in the mood for a pink strap. Not depending on Andrei to change the straps (or even worse, a battery) gives a certain satisfaction.
Piaget Polo Date 36 Technical Specifications
Piaget Polo Date 36mm Ref. G0A46018
– Diameter: 36mm
– Thickness: 8.8mm
– Watch in steel
– Piaget manufacture self -winding movement 500P1
– Sapphire case-back
– Funct ions: hours, minutes, seconds, date at 6 o ’ c l o c k
– Blue dial wi th gui l loche décor
– Indexes set with 36 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.08 ct)
– Power reserve: 40 hours
– Interchangeable steel bracelet
Piaget Polo Date 36mm Ref. G0A46019
– Diameter: 36mm
– Thickness: 8.8mm
– Watch in steel
– Piaget manufacture self -winding movement 500P1
– Sapphire case-back
– Funct ions: hours, minutes, seconds, date at 6 o’clock
– Whi te opal in dial wi th guilloche décor
– Rose gold indexes set with 36 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.08 ct)
– Bezel set with 60 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.97 ct)
– Power reserve: 40 hours
– Interchangeable steel bracelet
Piaget Polo Date 36mm Ref. G0A46023
– Diameter: 36mm
– Thickness: 8.8mm
– Watch in rose gold
– Piaget manufacture self -winding movement 500P1
– Sapphire case-back
– Funct ions: hours, minutes, seconds, date at 6 o’clock
– White opal in dial with guilloche décor
– Rose gold indexes set with 36 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.08 ct)
– Bezel set with 60 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.97 ct)
– Power reserve: 40 hours
– Interchangeable grey alligator strap and folding clasp
Piaget Polo Date 36mm Ref. G0A46020
– Diameter: 36mm
– Thickness: 8.8mm
– Watch in rose gold
– Piaget manufacture self -winding movement 500P1
– Sapphire case-back
– Funct ions: hours, minutes, seconds, date at 6 o’clock
– Whi te opal in dial wi th gui l loche décor
– Rose gold indexes set with 36 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.08 ct)
– Bezel set with 60 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.97 ct)
– Power reserve: 40 hours
– Interchangeable gold bracelet
