A highly important model within the brand’s collection, the Piaget Polo was born in 1979 as a vision of a luxury sports watch with an integrated bracelet. Its distinctive design, which was re-edited in an opulent, faithful full gold model earlier this year (in the frame of the brand’s 150th-anniversary celebrations), the Piaget Polo is better known in its current shape, the result of a complete redesign process initiated in 2016. Following several editions in a signature emerald green colour, including the Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin and the time-and-date Polo Field, it is time for the sporty-chic chronograph to receive the green treatment with this panda edition.
This new green panda-style chronograph belongs to the modern face of the Piaget Polo, based on the 2016 collection that generated its fair share of debate. While the Polo was originally a striking gold model characterized by its shaped case, flowing bracelet and signature horizontal gadroons (which certainly looked relevant next to a polo game in the 1980s), the brand completely redesigned the model and gave it a contemporary vibe, as well as a case that was much closer to an Emperador than a vintage Polo. Still, the dust has settled, and the modern Piaget Polo is now seen as a consistent, well-represented collection with a perpetual calendar, an ultra-thin skeleton, time-and-date versions and, of course, several chronographs.
Introduced with a silver-toned or a blue dial, as we reported here, the Piaget Polo Chronograph was later updated with contrasting sub-dials, giving it more presence and a sportier vibe. Using the signature emerald green colour seen in many recent versions of the Piaget Polo, this new chronograph combines the classic grooved dial and its sunray-brushed surface with this deep green colour and silver-toned sub-dials. The hands and applied markers are polished steel, filled with Super-LumiNova, and the result is a nicely contrasted layout and a contemporary vibe.
For the rest, this green panda Piaget Polo Chronograph remains the same as previous models, with its cushion-shaped steel case measuring 42mm in diameter and a fairly reasonable 11.2mm thickness – not bad for an automatic chronograph. Water-resistance is rated at 100m, and sapphire crystals are found on both sides. This green edition comes with a steel bracelet closed by a triple-folding clasp, but it doesn’t feature the quick-release system found on the QP model – too bad, as it would also look great on a green rubber strap.
Under the hood is the calibre 1160P, an automatic integrated column-wheel chronograph movement based on the Cartier 1904-CH MC. Compact and relatively thin, it runs at a 4Hz frequency and stores 50 hours of power reserve. Nicely finished with bevelled bridges, blued screws, circular Geneva stripes and a circular-grained plate, its display relies on a bi-complex layout with 30-minute and 12-hour counters but no running seconds.