Introducing: The New Piaget Polo Date 36mm

What We Know

Piaget first launched its modern polo line back in 2016. It was the brand's sporty yet refined solution to the dominating stainless steel integrated bracelet market trend.

With the first Polo launching in 1979, we've seen a few variations on a theme over the past few decades. The original watch has very little to do, stylistically, with what the watch has become today but it's worth noting that Piaget's integrated bracelet roots do extend back to the original integrated bracelet heyday.

Returning to 2023 and the new Polo Date in 36mm. It is basically a small cosmetic change to a watch that happens to already exist in the current Piaget catalog, this new version just comes without diamonds. But it's a minor upgrade that makes a major difference.

The Polo Date 36 comes in stainless steel and is 8.8mm thick, with a rounded bezel and blue cushion dial. It features a sapphire case-back and blue leather band. The watch is equipped with in-house self-winding Caliber 500P1 that includes hours, minutes, seconds, and a date function at six o'clock.

What We Think

As somebody who is a huge fan of the original Piaget Polo I could sit here and lament a vintage product from a bygone era or I could choose to understand that the modern Polo is Piaget's effort to find its place in the contemporary watch market. And hats off to it for paying attention to consumer demand and giving us a 36mm version of the Polo Date without the gem-set indices.

I absolutely adore the case and bracelet architecture of the original Polo watches. The yellow-gold glamour and high-society roots of Yves Piaget's original creations hit all the notes I usually ask for, and then some. But I am choosing to see this watch, along with the rest of the modern Polo offerings, as an entirely separate line of product. Despite the use of the Polo name, there is very little resemblance to the 1979 design.

I happen to quite like the current Polo Date 36mm with diamond indices. Its smooth, curved profile sits elegantly on the wrist. It's subtle in size but sporty in feel. And I'll gladly admit that now that it comes without diamonds, I like it even better.

The lack of bracelet is… a little on the strange side, to put it lightly. The watch is still interchangeable but no bracelet with purchase I'm afraid. I did enquire if it's possible to buy one separately and will have to get back to you on that one!

As a true 36mm diameter girl, I love when brands hit the mid-size sweet spot (36-38mm) in a sportier style. And at a fairly reasonable price point for a watch in this category, it feels like a chance for everybody to get in on the action. No gender labels required.

The Basics

Brand: Piaget
Model: Polo Date 36mm

Diameter: 36mm
Thickness: 8.8mm
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Dial Color: Blue
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Yes

Water Resistance: 5ATM
Strap/Bracelet: Blue calf band

The Movement

Caliber: 500P1
Functions: Seconds, Hours, Minutes, Date at 6 o'clock.
Diameter: 20.8mm
Thickness: 3.6 mm
Power Reserve: Approx. 40 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800
Jewels: 24