In a recent article Revolution & The Rake’s founder, Wei Koh presents his case for why smaller, more elegant watch sizes are more beautiful: “For the most part, the Swiss watch industry has found itself caught slightly out of step when it comes to the size of their wristwatches.” He then goes on to list some of the most hallowed timepieces of the 20th century — some of which are complications — and yet measure well under 40mm.

He goes on, “So, why is it that almost all watch brands make complicated dress watches in sizes exceeding 40mm in diameter? The answer is simple. Maisons that invested in manufacturing these complications in-house, did so during the late ’90s and early 2000s — which was exactly the time the trend for oversized watches emerged. I chose the word ‘trend’ carefully, but with respect, I genuinely feel that these behemoths are the result of a two-decade-long trend rather than what is genuinely the perfect classic size. So, why is it that none of these brands have scaled down their watches to be in alignment with the aesthetic dictates that prevailed over the near-120 years of history of the modern wristwatch? The answer to this is also simple. They can’t — or they won’t. Because that would involve a vast and costly complete re-engineering of their movements.”

To this we can say that we are in the nascent days of a few watch brands, who are known for a mastery of elegant aesthetics, starting to offer timepieces that are well under 40mm. One such instance being announced today is from the house of Piaget: the Polo Date in 36mm.

Piaget introduced its foray into sport-chic integrated bracelet watches with the Piaget Polo S, all the way back in 2016. It reimagined what a Piaget classic, namely the classic Polo of 1979, could look like in a contemporary form fit for the 21st century.

The watch was brought to market in both a time with date version and a chronograph version with date. At launch the watch was available with dials in white, grey and Piaget’s signature blue. Over the course of the years, the maison has added several other dial options including variations in rose gold and decorated with diamonds.

The watch has, no doubt, held its own ground as Piaget’s modern interpretation of the 80s icon that was the original Polo, and a viable entry into the world of sport-chic integrated bracelet watches. Perhaps the biggest splash that the Polo has made in recent days is with the Piaget Polo Skeleton. However, in all of its iterations the 42mm size has been maintained.

Read more about the Piaget Polo Skeleton, here.

Therein, the announcement of the 36mm form factor presents a very intentional message from the brand; being able to offer the watch in way that is not gender biased and of appeal to a growing base of watch lovers who prefer their watches to be of more elegant dimensions.

The 36mm timepiece is being launched as the Piaget Polo Date 36mm in six variations, starting with a steel case and bracelet version that has been given a blue dial with diamond set indexes. The second steel version features a white opaline dial and rose gold indexes that are set with 36 brilliant cut diamonds. Here the bezel is as well decorated using 60 brilliant cut diamonds.

We come to the rose gold versions next, which feature white opaline dials and rose gold indexes set with 36 brilliant cut diamonds, and the bezel also set with 60 brilliant cut diamonds. This one’s offered on a grey alligator strap and alternatively on a rose gold bracelet.

Lastly, we speak about the white gold versions, which have diamond paved dial and indexes (352 brilliant cut diamonds), as well as its case and crown, which are set with a total of 89 brilliant cut diamonds. The white gold case is offered on either a dark blue alligator strap and alternatively on a diamond paved white gold bracelet set with 1259 brilliant cut diamonds.

The sextet of executions that make up the Piaget Polo Date 36mm are all powered by the self-winding movement 500P1, which not only allows its functionalities and the 36mm diameter, but also keeps the watch at thickness of 8.8mm across the board.

Tech Specs

Movement: Piaget manufacture self-winding movement 500P1; hours, minutes, seconds; date at 6 o’clock; 40-hour power reserve
Ref. G0A46018: 36mm in steel; blue dial with guilloche décor; indexes set with 36 brilliant cut diamonds (approx. 0.08 ct); interchangeable steel bracelet

Ref. G0A46019: 36mm in steel; white opaline dial with guilloche décor; rose gold indexes set with 36 brilliant cut diamonds (approx. 0.08 ct); bezel set with 60 brilliant cut diamonds (approx. 0.97 ct); interchangeable steel bracelet

Ref. G0A46023: 36mm in rose gold; white opaline dial with guilloche décor; rose gold indexes set with 36 brilliant cut diamonds (approx. 0.08 ct); bezel set with 60 brilliant cut diamonds (approx. 0.97 ct); interchangeable grey alligator strap and folding clasp

Ref. G0A46020: 36mm in rose gold; white opaline dial with guilloche décor; rose gold indexes set with 36 brilliant cut diamonds (approx. 0.08 ct); bezel set with 60 brilliant cut diamonds (approx. 0.97 ct); interchangeable gold bracelet

Ref. G0A46024: 36mm in white gold; diamond paved dial and indexes with 352 brilliant cut diamonds (approx. 1.21 cts); case and crown set with 89 brilliant cut diamonds (approx. 1.24 cts); interchangeable dark blue alligator strap and folding clasp

Ref. G0A46022: 36mm in white gold; diamond paved dial and indexes with 352 brilliant cut diamonds (approx. 1.21 cts); case and crown set with 89 brilliant cut diamonds (approx. 1.24 cts); diamond paved white gold bracelet set with 1259 brilliant cut diamonds (approx. 5.44 cts)

More information: piaget.com