After a major facelift in 2016, the Piaget Polo has evolved into a thin but sporty watch available in a variety of guises, including the ultra-thin, skeletonised version introduced earlier in the year. But all of the Polo models to date are masculine, with the smallest model a sizeable 42 mm in diameter (and the high complicated Emperador models even larger).

Now Piaget has finally taken the covers off the Piaget Polo Date 36 mm, essentially a mid-sized version of the Polo sports watch. It’s a straightforward watch – automatic, three hands, and date – with either a little or a lot of bling.

Initial thoughts

Given the popularity of luxury-sports watches, the introduction of the Polo Date 36 mm is a natural progression, while also making sense since there are increasingly enthusiasts, both male and female, who want such watches in a smaller format.

That said, the new Polo is primarily a feminine watch, especially since all versions are set with diamonds. Even the understated base model in steel with a blue dial has diamond hour markers.

Price wise, the Polo Date 36 mm is pretty competitive, both against its larger sibling as well as alternatives from the competition. For instance, the steel version with diamond markers is priced at US$13,100, which is about 10% pricier than the 42 mm version – that doesn’t have any diamonds – and a lot more affordable than many high-end luxury-sports watches.

Still, the Polo is fairly priced for what it is. They are executed well in a manner that’s appropriate for the price, with construction and finishing that’s good but simple.

Variants

The base models are a pair of steel watches, both with diamond hour markers but the white-dial version also gets a diamond-set bezel. Because the bezel of Polo is relatively wide – it’s ordinarily a wide band of brushed steel – the row of diamonds actually leaves the bezel looking narrower, giving the watch a more elegant face.

The Polo Date 36 mm is also available in rose gold with option of a bracelet or leather strap, but with diamonds for the markers and bezel as standard.

Last but not least, the collection is topped by a pair of high-jewellery watches in white gold. Obviously the primary difference lies in the carat weight of gemstones, but the high-jewellery Polo is also subtly different, with an aesthetic that’s slightly more refined.

Instead of the horizontal, teak-deck pattern of the standard models, these have a radial pattern on the dial formed by concentric rows of diamonds.

Regardless of the ornamentation on the outside, all variants of the Polo 36 mm are powered by the same movement, the tiny cal. 500P1. It’s about as slim as a ETA 2892 at 3.63 mm tall, but much smaller at just 20.8 mm wide. Given its size, it unsurprisingly has a short power reserve of 40 hours.

Key facts and price

Piaget Polo Date 36 mm
Ref. G0A46018 (Steel, blue)
Ref. G0A46019 (Steel, white)
Ref. G0A46023 (Rose gold, strap)
Ref. G0A46020 (Rose gold, bracelet)
Ref. G0A46024 (White gold, strap)
Ref. G0A46022 (White gold, bracelet)

Diameter: 36 mm
Height: 8.8 mm
Material: Steel, 18k rose or white gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: Cal. 500P1
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 42 hours

Strap: Strap or metal bracelet

Limited edition: No
Availability: From Piaget online shops, boutiques, and retailers
Price:
Ref. G0A46018 (Steel, blue) – US$13,100, or 19,400 Singapore dollars
Ref. G0A46019 (Steel, white) – US$ 20,300, or 29,900 Singapore dollars
Ref. G0A46023 (Rose gold, strap) – US$36,900, or 54,500 Singapore dollars
Ref. G0A46020 (Rose gold, bracelet) – US$51,000, or 75,000 Singapore dollars
Ref. G0A46024 (White gold, strap) – US$63,500, or 93,500 Singapore dollars
Ref. G0A46022 (White gold, bracelet) – Price on request

For more, visit piaget.com.