Footballer Borja Iglesias spotted wearing a Piaget

Spanish footballer Borja Iglesias, striker for Celta Vigo and a 2026 FIFA World Cup champion with Spain's national team, was recently photographed wearing a vintage Piaget octagonal watch with a striking blue dial. The sighting captures the enduring appeal of Piaget's geometric dress-watch designs, rarely seen on modern athletes yet instantly recognisable among serious collectors.

Piaget's octagonal case emerged as a signature house motif during the 1970s and 1980s, when the manufacture began moving beyond ultra-thin mechanical movements into refined wristwatch design. The blue dial on this vintage example displays characteristic Piaget finishing: a sunburst or radial brushing that catches light, paired with applied gold indices and dauphine or Mercedes-style hands. The octagonal bezel is typically polished gold or two-tone steel and gold, lending the watch a distinctly formal presence. Water resistance on these vintage dress pieces rarely exceeds 30 metres, reflecting their intended use as evening and professional wear rather than sports instruments. The movement is likely a manual-wind or automatic calibre from Piaget's in-house production, known for precision and reliability.

Vintage Piaget octagonal watches occupy a unique position in the collector market. While not as sought-after as Piaget's ultra-thin dress watches or Altiplano line, these geometric cases have appreciated steadily as vintage sports and dress watches have gained prominence. The blue dial variant is particularly desirable, as Piaget's dial colours from this era—especially deeper blues and greys—photograph well and convey understated sophistication. Condition, original case finishing, and movement service history significantly affect valuation.

Iglesias's choice reflects a broader shift among modern athletes toward vintage dress watches as status symbols beyond mere timekeeping. Unlike contemporary sports chronographs, a vintage Piaget octagonal articulates restraint and knowledge of horological heritage. The pairing of a World Cup winner with a three-to-five-decade-old dress watch signals confidence in classics over trends.

Grey-market prices for vintage Piaget octagonal watches in good condition typically range from $2,500 to $5,500 USD, depending on case material, dial condition, and movement. Original retail prices from the manufacture are no longer published, but comparable examples at auction and specialist retailers position these pieces as accessible entry points to serious Piaget collecting.