Although the ’70s is often recalled as the period when Swiss watchmaking had a near-death experience due to the rise of low-cost quartz watches, it was also one of the most fascinating eras in watch design. As rates of production rocketed on the other side of the world, the industry responded by introducing several models that redefined watches as stylish accessories. The first watch that ignited this shift was the Royal Oak of 1972, followed by the Nautilus four years later. Other notable entries included the lavish all-gold Vacheron 222 in 1977 and the first Cartier Santos with an integrated bracelet in 1978. However, as the ’80s got underway, there was a watch that marked an entirely new expression that arguably represented the ultimate evolution of the genre — the Piaget Polo.
Here was a watch that was an outright manifestation of extravagance. While the Vacheron 222 featured a brass dial, the dial of the Polo, along with its case and bracelet were made out of
