We organised a special collector event for Piaget recently and got intimate with the Polo 79 Sodalite. The dial is made from Sodalite, a rich royal-blue mineral, which looks magnificent with the white gold watch and its white gold dial gadroons. Here is our hands-on review of this amazing watch.
The Piaget Polo 79 Automatic White Gold Sodalite Ref. G0A51151 retails at SGD 139,000 / CHF 84,500 inclusive of GST/VAT.
The case and bracelet
This is a rendition of the Piaget Polo 79 which we have previously reviewed here and here. Thus, the case and integrated bracelet are exactly the same as the model we reviewed at its release. The only exception is that instead of a yellow gold or white and yellow gold two tone design, this one is executed in full white gold.
A white gold version of the Polo 79 also currently exists in a somewhat monotone silver-grey dial which almost completely matches the case and bracelet. The polished gadroons continue from the dial onto the case and bracelet and are alternate to the flat panels which have linear brushed finishing. The edges are chamfered.
The same elegance and heft of the release model in yellow gold remains. I am still impressed not only by its rather substantial weight, but also that the structure is completely seamless from case to bracelet. The entire piece felt like it was hewn from one piece of gold, which it obviously is not. The bracelet was flexible, and yet, it had a structural integrity of feeling extremely solid.
The dial – Sodalite with gadroons
The review sample was released in Watches & Wonders 2026, and the novelty is that the dial now features 5 pieces of a soft blue stone called sodalite. Sodalite is a rather rare material for use in watch dials. It has a deep blue color, plus the white veins of calcite, give it a rich and lustrous appearance that fits the character of the Polo 79 very well, especially in combination with white gold. The stone is sliced thinly as a dial, and cut into 5 sections.
Each of these sections are then fitted into the dial between the gadroons. Sodalite is a rather soft stone, so cutting it into shape is also particularly challenging. However, the thinness of the pieces will require careful handling. As the stone is natural, each piece is different from the next. The stone takes a high polish, and can reflect differently at different angles, with tones as deep, iridescent blue, to very dark, almost black.
The inclusions in the natural stone also adds to the character of the dial. These milky white veins are calcite, give it a rich and lustrous appearance. Very in character with the luxurious and noble look of the Polo 79.
The gadroons an be seen to emerge from the inky dark depths of the blue stone like giant waves. Each gadroon is highly polished and the Dauphine hands match the look. The Piaget logo is transfer printed onto the second panel in a 3 dimensional layered font.
The movement 1200P1
The movement in the Polo 79 Sodalite is the magnificent, ultra thin Piaget manufacture Cal. 1200P1. The special execution here is the rotor is rendered in a grey white gold, giving an understated, almost monotone look from the case back.
The movement finishing is excellent as usual. And a typical of the level of detail and styling that we are used to for Piaget. All the haute horlogerie elements are address well, and though none stand out as particularly superb, none stand out as below expectation either. We particularly like the way the côtes on the bridges are made – as côtes circular instead of the more usual côtes Genève.
Competitive landscape
The landscape has not changed since my 2024 review of the launch model in yellow gold. The Vacheron Constantin 222 is still the chief occupant on the hill. But the VC is not offered in a stone dial.
Another possible option is the Gerald Charles Maestro 2.0, but these are offered a stainless steel case with a white gold bezel which is gemset to match the hue of the stone dial.
Patek Philippe offer their Nautilus with stone dials.
Concluding thoughts on the Polo 79 Sodalite
As I said in my review of the original re-release, the Polo 79 is a beautiful watch. Aesthetically, it calls on a higher level than most other offerings we see in the market today. It nods to its roots like no other, recapturing the spirit of the original Polo of 1979, yet thoroughly modernised with a modern, ultra-thin movement replacing the quartz movement of old. The overall look has remain unchanged over the decades, the structure where it is not possible to delineate between case and bracelet is still as beautiful as it was.
As the size remain unchanged at 38mm from the re-release (2024), it still sits on the wrist as confidently and as comfortably as it did before. And in combination with the spectacular sodalite dial, I consider this the best rendition of the Polo 79 ever.
The pricing also deserves a comment. The full white gold model with the silver-grey metal dial retails at CHF 79k, in the release version of full yellow gold at CHF 72k and in the two tone white and yellow gold at CHF 79k. This Sodalite edition has a tag of CHF 84.5k, which seems a very fair premium to charge for the character, beauty and uniqueness of the sodalite dial. If you are in the market for one, you will definitely need to go see and try one for yourself. And compare the various models. You cannot go wrong with any of the Polo 79 models, but for me, the Sodalite gets my pick, and worth every penny of the price premium.