The "FortyFive"
Dynamic design meets perfectly mastered technology. Unexpected materials, a sporty look and in-house calibres are the signature of the Piaget Polo’s next generation. On this legendary collection’s 30th birthday, four titanium creations are giving it new life.
For the Piaget Polo line’s 30th birthday, the Piaget fine watch manufacture is reinterpreting this collection in an assertively modern style. Piaget unveils four new watches that are sporty and contemporary in spirit and equipped with the manufacture’s own 800P and 880P movements – a perfect illustration of the tenet that remembering the past helps write the future.
The Piaget Polo FortyFive models are made of titanium, a first for the brand. They reinterpret the original aesthetic in a case that is watertight to 100 metres, extended by a strap made of injection moulded rubber, and expanded to a diameter of 45 mm – a size both in tune with our times and reminiscent of the average length of a polo match. The case has been given a new curve that ensures a good fit to the wrist. The sapphire case-back reveals the movements, designed and developed entirely in-house.
In addition to its chronograph and flyback functions, the 880P calibre displays the hour and minutes functions, along with small seconds at 6 o’clock, the date at 12 o’clock and a second 24 hour time zone at 9 o’clock. This 5.6 mm thick self-winding mechanical movement has two barrels and a large screw balance, and offers a 50 hour power reserve when the chronograph mode is engaged. With its column wheel and vertical coupling-clutch, it has all the qualities of a fine chronograph movement.
The other movement, the self-winding mechanical 800P, displays hours, minutes and seconds in the centre and the date at 6 o’clock. Its two barrels ensure a 72 hour power reserve. It operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hertz), fine watchmaking’s natural frequency.
Technical performance and expertise are set off by a rhythmical architecture inspired by the historic Piaget Polo model made of precious metal, but interpreted in titanium, steel and rubber with finishes playing on contrasts in a perfect echo of the collection’s historic legacy. The case material, grade 5 titanium, is particularly sturdy and light and here is worked like a precious metal. It is decorated with steel gadroons placed at regular intervals along the bezel. These elements continue along the black injection moulded rubber strap, visually accentuating the strap’s integration with the case.
The chronograph version’s crown and pushpieces are also made of titanium and decorated with rubber cabochons. The harmony is equalled only by the striking effect of the contrasts between dark and light, matte and glossy. The subtle marriage of polished and satin-finished surfaces, here newly interpreted in titanium and steel, brings out this powerful timepiece’s character even more strongly. The sapphire case-back shows off the decoration on the movements: the plate is circular-grained, bridges are bevelled; the circular Côtes de Genève pattern and blued screws are the brand’s signature aesthetic; the PVD-treated dark-grey winding rotor is engraved with the Piaget emblem.
The dials get away from the matching tones and give the collection’s intrinsic elegance its very modern energy. The chronograph versions focus on legibility: the applied hour markers and the hour and minute hands are brightened with luminescent material, while the chronograph second hand uses a crimson hue. The distinctly-coloured semicircular highlights completely spell out the functions of the counters, chronograph flyback and second time zone, while the date disc with its red arrow indicator appears in an aperture at 12 o’clock.
The self-winding versions also highlight the time indicators: Arabic numerals, luminescent applied hour markers and hour and minute hands; red seconds hand, contrasting minute markers, etc. All of these elements enhance the pieces’ sporty look and emphasise their technically advanced qualities.
Thus enriching the Piaget Polo collection, the Piaget Polo FortyFive titanium models prove that the collection is more up-to-date than ever. Its lasting success is driven by an exceptional sense of Manufacture-made craftsmanship.
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