Classic luxury watches revived for Gen Z timepiece enthusiasts: from Piaget’s Polo, loved by Bond girl Ursula Andress and Michael B. Jordan, to Vacheron Constantin and Longines … but which reboot is truest to the OG?

May 9 , 2024

Loved by Bond girl Ursula Andress and Michael B. Jordan, the Piaget Polo 79 is one of the classic watch models being newly revived for a new generation of timepiece enthusiasts. Photos: Handout

The ultimate throwback is the Timex World Time 1972, with a bezel featuring global time zones of the day, as in the original … but they don’t align with today’s time zones

Vacheron Constantin, the oldest watchmaker in continuous operation, has reissued its classic 1970s gold watch, the 222, with upgraded finish and a more comfortable bracelet

Forty-five years after its creation, the Polo – the emblematic model of Swiss watch brand Piaget – is still one of the most highly sought-after watches on the planet.

Hallmarked by its cushion-shaped dial, rounded case and integrated bracelet with hand-assembled links, the now-iconic design is the brainchild of Yves G. Piaget, the fourth generation of the watchmaking house, and was an instant hit with collectors upon its 1979 debut. A dazzling homage to Yves Piaget’s love of the equestrian world, the Polo’s appeal has spread far beyond the playing field since its unveiling, and onto the wrists of influential wearers, including Andy Warhol, Nancy Sinatra and Bond girl Ursula Andress, as well as Sylvester Stallone who wore a Polo in Tulsa King and Michael B. Jordan, who was spotted courtside wearing a vintage Piaget Polo 7P last year.

Actor Michael B. Jordan is a fan of the Piaget Polo. Photo: Getty Images

In contrast to the masculine steel sports watches of the time, the solid gold Polo captured the glitz and glamour of the jet-set, and soon came to define the spirit of the 1980s. “We really had to answer to this particular demand of our customers who are used to getting just dress watches,” explained Yves Piaget at the time. “But now our customers like to do more and more sports. That’s part of the evolution of our lives today. They want to be exquisite, even in sport. They want to wear a better watch, even in their sports. So we created this sport line which is waterproof, shockproof.” Now, 45 years after its debut, the Polo has been reborn as the Piaget Polo 79 in celebration of the house’s 150th anniversary.

Sylvester Stallone wearing a Piaget Polo in television series Tulsa King. Classic watches models such as this are being revived for a new generation of watch lovers. Photo: Handout

The reissue of the Polo follows as a number of luxury watchmakers reimagine historic models in new, awe-inspiring ways. For Piaget, this meant drawing upon the original design with a few subtle updates. Dressed once again in 18K yellow gold, the Polo 79 has eschewed its original quartz calibre in favour of an ultra-thin 1200P1 in-house self-winding movement that beats within a slightly enlarged 38mm case. Meanwhile, the seamless integrated gold bracelet that once dazzled elite society remains untouched.

Longines’ Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve has a new self-winding movement

Longines, another Swiss brand known for its equestrian ties, has also provided an archival model with a modern twist. To mark the anniversary of its signature Conquest collection, the heritage maker has reissued a classic Conquest from 1959 – a design renowned for its one-of-a-kind power reserve indicator consisting of two rotating discs at the centre of the dial. In tribute to this historic model, the new Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve has retained the original power reserve process with a three-part dial, available in a sumptuous champagne shade, as well as anthracite and black. Meanwhile, a redesigned 38mm steel case – with redesigned lugs – houses a new self-winding L896.5 calibre, which the wearer can view via a transparent screw-down case back.

The Timex Q Timex Reissue Dégradé is a homage to the watchmaker’s is Q model from the late 1970s

When it comes to reviving vintage designs, Timex provides the ultimate throwback. When reworking its World Time 1972, a chunky, vintage-inspired quartz world timer, the American brand stayed true to the design codes of the original model for a retro leaning. As such, its world time bezel still features the time zones of the early 1970s that don’t align with today’s time zones, as featured on the original model. The new Q Timex Reissue Dégradé, meanwhile, pays homage to one of Timex’s most iconic Q models from the late 1970s by recreating every detail of its unique domed acrylic crystal, which catches the light with interior facets, as well as its sleek 38mm brushed stainless-steel case, matching bracelet and quartz movement.