Piaget Limelight Dancing Light Silvered Rose Gold Ladies Watch G0A36157

GMT XXL - Summer 2009

Created by Yves G. Piaget in 1979, the Polo soon became a star. Since then, it has found its way unscathed through changing fashions. Much more than just a watch, it is an authentic symbol of luxury to be worn at any time - and that is doubtless one of the reasons behind its amazing success.

At the time, Yves G. Piaget, the creative talent behind its design, explained how "the entire Polo philosophy can be summed up in one sentence: it's a watch bracelet rather than a mere wristwatch. It was the first time one of our watches was created to meet demand. In 1979, it matched a b desire expressed by the American market: our retailers wanted a luxury sports watch". This wish proved inspired, since celebrities such as Andy Warhol, Brooke Shields and Sammy Davis Junior all wore the legendary gold bracelet.

In La Côte-aux-Fees, a small village in the Swiss Jura where the Piaget family had been making its movements for over a century, the launch of this new model was a revo - lution. But it was hard to find a name for it. "We soon began gravitating around the world of polo" says Yves G. Piaget. "We were exactly on target, in a world combining luxury and sport. What's more, polo also matched our identity in technical terms. It's a high-precision sport that calls for anticipating the next move, mastering time and displaying consistent elegance." After lengthy debate, the new watch was indeed christened, albeit very discreetly and for advertising purposes only, without placing this name on the watches themselves. Keenly aware that he had an enormous potential success on his hands, Yves G. Piaget was determined to go an innovative step further by letting the whole world know about it.

At the 1980 World Polo Cup in Palm Beach, Ursula Andress, the most famous James Bond Girl of all, agreed to be the spokesperson for the new watch. That same year in 1980, a new quartz movement, Caliber 8P, made its appearance at Piaget and in the Polo world. "This 1.95 millimeterthick movement was particularly ingenious", recalls Yves G. Piaget.

The ensuring success was such that by the early 1980s, the Piaget Polo accounted for almost one-third of the brand's watch sales. The enthusiasm of its fans has remained undimmed ever since, and especially since the 2001 launch of a new much sought-after version of this legendary timepiece. Featuring a more graphic dial, a generous volume and a special curve that guaranteed a perfect five, this makeover confirmed the iconic stature of the Piaget Polo line. Celebrities such as Ben Affleck, Puff Daddy, Rihanna and Alicia Keys have succumbed to the charm of its new lines, as well as the distinctive technical features enriching them.

The Piaget Polo collection now showcases two stellar examples of the art of horology: the tourbillon and the chronograph, both interpreted in an original way in harmony with the spirit of the House. Within the small circle of flyback chronograph movements, Caliber 880P is distinguished by its dual time-zone function. Equipped with twin barrels and a large balance with screws, it has a 50-hour power reserve when the chronograph mode is activated. Crafted in harmony with the grand traditions of mechanical chronographs, it combines the prestige of a column wheel and the precision of clutch. Also endowed vertical coupling clutch, thus boasting all the main features of an authentic Haute Horlogerie chronograph.

Meanwhile, the tourbillon, the complication most symbolically representative of the watchmaking art, takes on an amazing and magical dimension in the Piaget Polo Tourbillon Relatif which represents a daring challenge to the laws of gravity and of equilibrium. A spectacular movement for a legendary watch which has "made an indelible imprint on the history of fine watchmaking", as Piaget CEO Philippe Leopold-Metzger points out.

Dynamic design, perfectly mastered technology, unexpected materials, a sporty look and in-house calibers… Such are the signature features of the new generation of Piaget Polo watches. In parallel with the collection's 30th anniversary, four titanium creations are infusing it with new life. Code name: Piaget Polo FortyFive.

Made in titanium, a first for the brand, the Piaget Polo FortyFive models reinterpret the original aesthetic in a case that is watertight to 100 meters, extended by a strap made of injection molded rubber. Broadened to a diameter of 45 mm, a size both in tune with our times and reminiscent of the average length of a polo match, the case has been given a new curve that ensures a good fit on the wrist. The sapphire case-back reveals the movements, designed and developed entirely in-house.

Equipped with the proprietary 800P and 880P movements, these new watches are a reminder that if the memory of the past does indeed serve to write the future, Piaget Polo models are a perfect illustration of this truth. In addition to its chronograph and flyback functions, the 880P caliber displays the hour and minutes functions, along with small seconds at 6 o'clock, the date at 12 o'clock and a second 24 hour time zone at 9 o'clock. Equipped with two barrels and a large screw balance, this 5.6 mm thick mechanical self-winding chronograph offers a 50-hour power reserve when the chronograph mode is engaged. Endowed with a vertical coupling-clutch, it has all the qualities of a fine traditional chrono graph movement. Meanwhile, the self-winding mecha - nical 800P has two barrels and a 72-hour power reserve.

Performance, readability and technical expertise are highlighted by a rhythmical architecture of these models with finishes playing on contrasts in a perfect echo of the collection's historic legacy. On the chronograph versions, the applied hour-markers as well as the hour and minute hands are enlivened with luminescent material, while the chronograph seconds hand features a crimson hue. The distinctly-colored semicircular rims completely spell out the functions of the counters, chronograph flyback and second time-zone areas, while the date disc with its red arrow indicator appears in an aperture at 12 o'clock. The self-winding versions also highlight the time indicators: Arabic numerals, luminescent applied hour markers and hour and minute hands; red seconds hand a contrasting minute circle.

All of these elements enhance the pieces' sporty look, emphasize their technically advanced qualities and confirm the lasting success of a line driven by an exceptional sense of Manufacture-made craftsmanship.