Earlier in the year, at SIHH, Ralph Lauren unveiled some pretty impressive timepieces. Now, those watches are finally making their way to retail stores and this warrants another close-up look. For both men and women, Ralph Lauren raises the bar this year when it comes to inspiration and design.
For women (though the larger size could be worn by men), the most distinctive collection comes in the form of the Art Deco 867 watch collection. Recalling the heady days of the Roaring Twenties, Ralph Lauren’s 867 series of watches features geometric shaped square cases, offered in either rose gold or white gold (in two sizes) with dials that feature both Roman and Arabic numerals. There are also several bejeweled versions, including diamond-set models and a full pavé model. Others are bedecked with gems indicative of the glamour days: onyx, green agate, red coral-based stone and white ceramic. These watches - equipped with manual wind movements - are like a breath of fresh air.
Of course, the brand never strays far from its equestrian roots, and so also unveiled another jeweled Stirrup watch – this time a Stirrup Petite Diamond Link watch in a sleek, alluring size. Crafted in 18-karat white gold, the full pavé watch houses a 57-part quartz movement, features a sapphire crystal with internal and external anti-reflective treatment and boasts 2017 meticulously set diamonds. The Stirrup Petite Diamond Link watch (with lacquered dial) is water resistant to 30 meters - if one cares to venture in to the deep blue with so many glistening diamonds on the wrist.
In addition to the Safari-inspired models for men, there is also a new Sporting Classic Chronometer in steel with black matt dial and railroad track style minutes markers. This timepiece houses a COSC-certified RL 366 mechanical self-winding caliber. The watch, with hours, minutes and seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, offers classically elegant, sporty chic appeal with its black dial and white numerals.
