The Low-Down

The word ‘cool’ gets bandied around a lot in life. I’m not, in this case, referring to the type that requires you to throw your sweater on or zip your coat up, but rather the kind of cool that taste-makers contrive and hypebeast-watchers try to (A Bathing) ape. In fact, there are multiple levels of cool proper, but I defy anyone to tell me that jazz-trumpeter and musician extraordinaire Miles Davies wasn’t cool. I mean, the guy invented the cool jazz genre. And what watch did he wear? The Piaget Skeleton Polo. So therefore, by association, it’s a cool watch. And now maybe, it just got a little cooler…

Earlier this year, Piaget announced the new Polo Skeleton, which was a resounding success within the hallowed halls of Revolution HQ. Our founder Wei Koh has been very vocal about the watch and how incredible it is and now the watch is being made available in four new versions, all in gold. Piaget has a pretty robust pedigree in working with gold watches for now 80 years plus. I have always loved the vintage stone dial Piagets, that were almost always in gold and in fact one of the new watches is adorned with stones of the diamond variety; more of which later.

The new line-up consists of rose gold, white gold with a diamond-set bezel and two fully paved versions with cases and, most impressively, movements that are set with up to 573 brilliant and baguette-cut diamonds. The rose gold and white gold with diamond bezel are available from September. However, as a devout gem-set fan the latter two of the four really have caught my eye and these pieces are available this month.

IMHO

Piaget began making skeletonised watches around 50 years ago. The rose and white gold models house the 1200S1 movement that we were first introduced to earlier in the year. It’s key to remember that these watches are super thin at a mere 6.5mm, with the fully stone-set examples a smidgen thicker by 1.4mm. But to get this thinness in the gold watch, the movement is a wafer-thin 2.4mm. Previously, there was an ultrathin movement, calibre 1200S, that was also 2.4mm thick but this is the skeleton version (denoted by the 1) which is an awesome feat for such a movement.

The rose gold version of the watch has a 42mm case, with the classic Polo styling of round bezel surrounding a cushion shaped crystal. The skeletonised movement has a striking blue PVD finish, which really looks lovely against the pink gold. The same blue movement is used in the white gold version that also has a 42mm case, with the rich addition of a round bezel set with 56 (1.59 carats in total) brilliant cut diamonds. Both of these pieces come on a blue alligator leather strap with matching gold deployment clasp.

Things get really serious with the High Jewellery pieces. Piaget has been a renowned master jeweller for 60 years and when this side of the business combines with the watch dept, real magic happens. The High Jewellery Polo Skeleton features the calibre 1200D1, the D denoting diamonds. Yes, this incredible movement is diamond and sapphire set and it’s all done in-house. The movement has a total of 292 brilliant cut diamonds and 11 brilliant cut sapphires.

The case, flange and winding crown is also adorned with a stunning array of diamonds. 148 brilliant-cut and 132 baguette-cut diamonds are used and again this is done in-house. The watch is fitted with a grey alligator leather strap that has a white gold deployment clasp that is set with six baguette cut diamonds. If, however, you want to add a little more sparkle to your wrist, you could opt for the white gold bracelet that is fully paved with 184 baguette-cut and 1,258 brilliant-cut diamonds: a combined weight of 15.6 carats! I know which one I’d like to rock this summer!

Tech Specs

Movements:
Polo Skeleton Gold: Piaget manufacture self-winding skeleton movement 1200S1; micro rotor winding; hours and minutes; 44-hour power reserve
High Jewellery: Piaget Piaget Manufacture 1200D1 self-winding skeleton movement set with 292 brilliant-cut diamonds and 11 brilliant-cut sapphires

Case and Dial:
Polo Skeleton Gold: 42mm 18kt white or rose gold, 6.5mm thick
High Jewellery: 42mm white gold with 148 brilliant-cut and 132 baguette-cut diamonds, 7.9mm thick

Strap:
Polo Skeleton Gold: Blue alligator leather strap with white or rose gold deployment clasp
High Jewellery: Grey alligator leather strap with white gold deployment clasp set with six baguette diamonds or white gold bracelet fully paved with 184 baguette-cut and 1,258 brilliant-cut diamonds.