Following on from the launch of the Piaget Polo Skeleton in steel earlier in the year, Piaget is now unveiling four new models in 18-karat rose and white gold. Three out of the four are also adorned with diamonds, showcasing how open-worked movements and gemstones were made to mingle.
A Little History about the Piaget Polo
The Piaget Polo collection was introduced in 1979. At the time, it was the first Piaget timepiece to be given a name and quickly became an iconic sports watch for the era.
A New Calibre 1200S1
The new Piaget Polo skeleton models are powered by the 1200S1 movement that took two and a half years of research and development to perfect. The movement is based on the Maison’s ultra-thin automatic Calibre 1200S and features a new regulating device that provides improved resistance to magnetic fields as well as a longer power reserve.
Other changes include a smaller grey off-centred oscillating weight at 8pm, which allows a better view of the movement. This new oscillating weight is also fully integrated into the movement, which further reduces its thinness to an ultra-slim 2.4mm. Piaget has engraved its coat of arms on the back of rotor, which can be admired though the sapphire crystal caseback.
Four New Piaget Polo Skeleton Models
The timepieces come in a 42mm case size with one model in rose gold and three in white gold. The rose gold Piaget Polo Skeleton comes with a blue skeleton face. This model also exists in white gold with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds. Both timepieces include the simple “quick-change” strap system so owners can experiment with a wide range of strap colours and materials.
The following two white gold Piaget Polo Skeleton timepieces demonstrate the Maison’s savoir-faire in fine watchmaking and gem-setting. They are powered by the Calibre1200D1, which is technically the same movement as the Calibre 1200S1 with the difference being that the movement is fully paved with diamonds.
Setting a Skeleton Movement with Diamonds
Setting a skeleton movement with diamonds is no mean feat, especially on a movement so thin. The delicate gold components can easily be deformed as the gem-setter needs to apply a certain amount of pressure to fix the diamonds in place. The manufacturing process was completely rethought with each component being set before the final machining process.
There are 292 brilliant-cut and baguette-cut diamonds on the main plate and bridges, with some of the diamonds measuring less than the size of a grain of sand due to the thinness of some of the components! It takes Piaget’s skilled gem setters at least four days to set one movement, showing the exceptional level of craftsmanship needed to create such an intricate movement.
There are two diamond skeleton versions to choose from. Both are in 18-karat white gold, with one on a black alligator leather strap and the other one on a fully-paved bracelet set with 1,258 diamonds.
More Piaget Polo timepieces will be unveiled later in the year, so stay tuned.
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