Piaget

Mystery Piaget Polo - vertical lines on leather strap

Dear Forumners,

In the process of gathering material for a historical look at Piaget Polo watches, I found this photo of a  "vintage" piece....probably from circa 1980.

The question is: Does anybody actually have one of these watches today and could post a current photo?  How did it stand the test of time?

Its not like the usual vintage Polos with integrated bracelets.......

The 'lines' are vertical instead of the usual horizontal.

 

 

1979 Classic Piaget Polo on integrated bracelet and horizontal lines

 

Any comments and help welcomed.

Regards,

MTF

 

. . . the case/bezel - dial interface; I'll wager that the apparent angle of the vertical bars alters as the angle at which the watch is viewed changes, too. The phenomena of hidden or altered images is personally fascinating, and I don't think I've ever come across a watch that incorporated such a motif in it's design until just now . . . . cordially, Art

Art,

There really is nothing new in design. 

Some people got excited that you can get the Max Buser & Friends Horological Machine #3 (what a mouthful) in vertical or horizontal case orientation.  Looks like Piaget tried it in 1980 and probably another older company tried it before that.

I'm still interested to know if it exists in someone's collection today and if it works?  The lugs are like Calabrese or Gerald Genta of the 1980s too.

 

Regards,

MTF

This message has been edited by MTF on 2010-09-08 03:01:10

... found this on the internet...

this mystery piece is still a mystery..............

MTF

I become when I saw the picture. I'm lucky to be given a Polo and for years I'm looking at it,
marvelling at the lines on the case integrated with the lines on the dial...beautiful and though seems
simple, the look of Polo has always been one of my favourite.

When I saw your vertical (lines) Polo picture.... I'm a bit shocked. I never search further or look into
"everything" Polo.

It is beautiful in its simplicity! Sigh... You still have no further info?

Come on, give me some.....(Please)

Cheers,Linda

MTF and Others,

Sorry for the very delayed response to the thread, but i just saw it while surfing the site.

In response to the questions and interest, i have owned the "missing one" for over twenty years.

For the record, it's the all gold vertical edition with a black strap and it was the first serious watch i purchased (1986).

I wear it with a black ostrich strap which gives a more elegant finish (my opinion) as it has a mat finish without stitching thereby enabling the all gold face to shine. 

Please let me know if you would like any pics.

I wore the watch daily for 12 years and thereafter regularly as i rotated with other watches in my collection (Breguet / Jaeger-LC / Rolex / Breitling).

I've never had any trouble with the watch and it continues to serve me very well.

The watch is quartz and adjusts to different time zones (as required) automatically by a turn of the crown on a per hour basis without loosing time (i.e one turn will result in a full hour adjustment).

Although it wasn't needed, 9 months ago i sent the watch back to the factory for a full service and polish - it came back as new as the day i purchased along with a renewed guarantee.  

Even though it's not a mechanical watch, i really like wearing it and it provokes more comment than any of my complicated watched.

Happy to answer any more questions you may have.

regards

Tim  

 

 

 

This message has been edited by MTF on 2010-08-04 20:38:34

I remember seeing the Polo Piaget on a strap with vertical stripes back in the 1980s.  I even saved some old Piaget ads that had pix of the Polos when they were new (not sure I have them any more).  What a cool watch! 

In addition, since all of the advertizing only showed the front/face of the watch, I never knew about the vertical stripe long the side of the case.  Thats a great design tie in! 

I occasionally see vintage ladies Polo models that come up for sale at watch shops, but I've not yet come across a vintage mens Polo from the 80's.  Maybe it means men that own one really love them and don't put them up for sale  ; )

I also like that you included details such as the packaging materials, boxes papers etc.  So often if a vintage watch comes up for sale its hard to tell if you are getting the complete package, even when you are told they have the box and papers.'

Thanks so much for your detailed photos and description of ownership experience.   I hope you enjoy it for many more years.   I have always liked the original Polo designs of the 80s, and have considered trying to locate one.  After reading your review I will definitely keep an eye out for this rarely seen version. 

Best regards,

Dino

post on Piaget and HoMe blog fora.

 

Regards, MTF

Thanks for taking all those pictures of your beautiful watch.  It's a classy piece that's perfect for wearing with a suit or casually.  What a great example of a Piaget!

Hope to read more from you!

Cheers,
Daos

Nice Polo!

I've enjoyed my Piaget as well.... but it has the pesky 8P2 movement. I'm having trouble with it now in getting the hours to set properly. Question - what did Piaget charge you for the service? Does anyone out there have an independent service person to recommend who can do the proper job servicing this?

Thanks!

tickertp

 

Hey, I know this post is a bit late, but I just came across this forum recently.  Thought you might be interested in knowing that this Piaget was also worn by Steve Martin's character, Neil Page, in the 1987 movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles.  Here's a link to a still from an early scene where Steve Martin is checking his watch during an office meeting: click here
Todd Linn

how often and to what occasions do you ear it?

Well I am having trouble finding the name of the watch etc. if anyone could help I would be delighted.

 

the numbers are9035 304616 18kt gold on inside of caseback 109 18 jewels on movement 781801

the only difference is it just says piaget. It is solid black with no markers can anyone help to at least no the series

it has come from noone in the industry thus far has found it. thanks Hope [Email address suppressed for privacy]

hello everybody! I was browsing the web trying to find information on my Piaget watch and found your interesting blog! I wanted to share with you the info and the pictures of my watch, which is however mechanical and not quartz! Can anybody share any light on this? I haven't found anything much anywhere else....
The watch was given to me in 1989 (!!!) as an engaement gift....had it serviced once in mid '90s but it's still running perfect!!! I must say I only wear it on special formal occasions, as I am lucky enough to have other let's say more "practical" every day watches!!!
Let me know your feedbacks...
Ciao from Italy!!!!

 

I love the original Piaget Polo design, both on a bracelet or a strap.  Very cool that yours is an automatic and nice to see you still have the original items that came with the watch, like box, case, papers, wallet etc.

What a great looking watch.  I hope you continue to get many years of enjoyment from it.

Best regards,

Dino

No message body

Dear All, I have just received some information regarding my Piaget Automatic and the family of watches (see catalog picture attached) including "The Missing One".
Here is the answer received directly from Piaget Switzerland:
".... would like to thank you for the interest you have expressed in Piaget.
Your watch was made in 1983
Its movement is the Piaget ultra-thin (2mm) hand-wound movement 25P
That movement was less frequently used in the Piaget Polo collection than the Piaget quartz movement 7P and 8P.
Please note that I can indicate the value of a watch at the time of its fabrication only.
Any estimate or current valuation must be asked to an auction house since it depends of factors which we do not control (supply & demand principally).
I found a price for a similar reference to yours (5670) in a catalogue published in 1983 (see attached file) of 10'545 SFr........."

In the 1983 catalogue picture  below, my watch is in the bottom-left corner while "The Missing One" (or very similar) is on the bottom-right corner.
I hope that this info is helpful! Ciao!

hi, i'm luca

luca,

 

Thank you for the find.

Does it still work after 40 years?

 

Regards,

MTF

just amazing how well all the elements are in balance with each other and how well they are integrated. Just look at the two outer lines, they are extended beyond the case through lugs and further to the sticking of the strap.

Luckily we have some sort of archive on-line that such a watch exists. 

I received this watch from my father as a gift in the early 1980's or late 1970's .  The original movement was one which automatically advanced or backed off 1 hour if the crown was pulled out halfway and then rotated forward or backward for a second.

 

In about 2008 the movement stopped working.  I sent the watch in to the Fort Worth service center and they replaced the movement for free.

 

The back of the watch has a model number which is assigned to this watch but with a gold dial.  I have contacted the service center and have verified that the serial number on the watch is registered to me but they agree that the model number would seem to indicate the watch should have a gold dial.  It never had a gold dial.

 

Does anyone know what the correct model number is for this watch?

davidsands,

Lucky you to have this old design.

Alas, in those days, as a small family firm with small batches of production of many variations (usually dials), not a lot of emphasis was placed on recording model numbers or names. Watches were simple described like 'round gents yellow gold 38mm diameter'. 

In this case, the Piaget Polo style allows identification as a member of that Polo range but not any more detail.

Thanks for sharing real 'footage' as they say. 

Regards,

MTF

Hi all - I’ve just been handed a similar watch. Brown strap however and mint condition. Would anyone be so kind as to offer some comments on the edition? www.watchprosite.com