Piaget Polo 79 Returns: A Gold Standard, Reimagined for 2026

At Watches and Wonders 2026, Piaget has brought back one of its most distinctive signatures — the Polo 79 — reasserting its status as a cultural and design icon, now expressed with renewed materiality and modern relevance.

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First introduced in 1979, the Piaget Polo broke away from the sport-chic steel wave of its time with a bold proposition: a watch entirely in gold. Conceived by Yves G. Piaget, the Polo fused high society glamour with sporting elegance, becoming synonymous with the 1980s jet-set style. Its defining idea was “a bracelet featuring a watch”, which remains central to its identity.

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For 2026, the Polo 79 evolves without losing its essence. The signature gadroons, those sculpted horizontal lines that define the watch’s texture and rhythm, take centre stage once again, reinforcing Piaget’s design language across the collection. This year, the model returns in a two-tone execution, maintaining its 38 mm case and powered by the ultra-thin automatic calibre 1200P1.

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The most notable update arrives in material exploration. For the first time in the contemporary Polo 79 range, Piaget introduces a sodalite stone dial, expanding on earlier iterations in onyx and lapis lazuli. The deep, mineral-rich blue of sodalite creates a striking contrast against the gold gadroons, bringing fresh depth to the watch’s visual identity.

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Beyond the Polo 79, Piaget extends this design language across the broader Polo collection. The gadroon motif now appears on redesigned Piaget Polo Date models, marking a unifying aesthetic shift. New editions span 42 mm and 36 mm sizes, offered in steel, rose gold, and gem-set variations, with interchangeable straps that position the collection firmly within contemporary lifestyles.

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A continued highlight is the return of the “couple’s watch” concept that serves as the arching nod to Piaget’s heritage — offering coordinated designs across sizes, including diamond-set options. The introduction of silver-toned dials and Piaget’s signature blue further refines the collection’s visual coherence.

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Nearly five decades since its debut, the Polo 79 remains a study in contrast: bold yet refined, ornamental yet architectural. In 2026, Piaget isn’t just revisiting the icon so much as it is extending its language, reaffirming its place in the modern luxury conversation, while staying rooted in the codes that defined it.