Preparations for Watches and Wonders Geneva 2023 are in full swing. I’m delighted to be invited once again to join a privileged group of international journalists to cover the new luxury watch launches. I’ve attended the world’s most prestigious watchmaking event for over a decade. This year is the largest yet, with almost 50 brands exhibiting their micromechanical marvels.
Piaget recently revealed the first mechanical perpetual calendar for its iconic Polo collection ahead of Watches and Wonders Geneva, which takes place from 27 March to 2 April exclusively for invited media, retailers, clients, and collectors during the week. Public entry is permitted over the final weekend.
“Perpetual Extraleganza”
The Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-thin features the Maison’s signature horology in an emblematic complication powered by the new 1255P ultra-thin 4mm calibre. The Manufacture launched the inhouse 12P movement in 1960 – the world’s thinnest thanks to using the micro-rotor to achieve that dimension. The new movement is inspired by the proven reliability and extreme slimness of the 1200P calibre and features a moon-phase mechanism.
The perpetual calendar is designed to advance the day, date, and year until the year 2100 – months, moon phases and leap-year cycle. Luxury watches that feature this haute horlogerie savoir-faire are highly sought-after by collectors and luxury watch aficionados.
Watchmaking savoir-faire
The Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-thin features a striking dark emerald-green dial with a gadroon pattern and three subdials for the date, month (along with leap-year indication) and weekday at 9, 12 and 3 o’clock, along with the moonphase indication at 6 o’clock. Typically, the subdials incorporate finishes that enrich the visual display under the light, together with SuperLumiNova® indexes.
The gadroons have been part of the Piaget Polo signature on the case since 1979, so what’s different about this luxury watch? They now appear on the bracelet, which has a brand-new interchangeable SingleTouch system to accommodate a comfortable rubber strap alternative that echoes the dial pattern.
Yves Piaget’s sporty and relaxed approach to watchmaking elegance endures in this unisex timepiece, available in gold or steel. The style is favoured by celebrities like Ursula Andress, Roger Moore, Andy Warhol and Björn Borg.