As more brands expand their offerings with more affordably priced options, Piaget launches its first all-steel watch collection.
As more brands expand their offerings with more affordably priced options, Piaget launches its first all-steel watch collection.
It might not be the sexiest watch material, but stainless steel is having a moment right now. It is, after all, a durable and relatively inexpensive material that can allow brands to offer otherwise costlier, precious metal-encased watches at lower prices. Beyond that, steel is also the classic choice for sporty icons such as the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.
This year, for instance, brands like Blancpain, Chopard and Girard- Perregaux introduced steel-encased timepieces ranging from perpetual calendars to dual-timers. Most recently, Piaget unveiled its first steel watch collection, the Polo S, at an event in New York City. In attendance and sporting the new design was its brand ambassador, Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, along with eight other luminaries from varying fields, including literature, sports and film.
A fresh take on the Piaget Polo – an existing range that was all the rage when it was first launched in 1979 – the new Polo S juxtaposes a cushion-shaped dial against a 42mm round case. There are two main variants in the five-piece collection: the automatic Polo S, and the Polo S Chronograph. Both are powered by specially developed new movements – the former by the selfwinding 1110P movement, and the chronographs (that can track intervals of up to 12 hours) by the self-winding 1160P movement. Retail prices for the automatic and chronograph versions are $15,500 and $20,600, respectively – a marked lowering of the cost of entry to the brand.
Looking at the Polo S on the wrists of Piaget’s latest nine gamechangers, ranging from Chinese actor Hu Ge to English polo player Malcolm Borwick, we think the timepiece – which balances elegance with strong masculine lines – wears well and will lend itself easily to different occasions.
Reynolds clearly thinks it will look good on the ladies as well. At the launch, he shared with the audience that his daughter, one-year-old James Reynolds, had been “messing with” his watch, adding: “What she doesn’t know is that her initials are engraved on the back of it, and it will one day be hers.” Sweet.
