Ralph Lauren has the ability to make us dream. Everything he creates, be it a watch, a weathered aviator jacket, or a floor-sweeping cocktail dress, conjures up a story, a mood, a moment in time. He now also brings his trademark glamour to Ralph Lauren watches and jewellery.
“I like places and objects that transform us,” explains Mr Lauren of his evocative creations. “That take us somewhere else for a day, an evening or just a moment. I like the romance of films, cars, Cole Porter tunes and Frank Sinatra songs. They all have one thing in common - they are ageless, timeless.” So when Ralph Lauren turned his attention to fashion watches and jewellery, the results were sure to be steeped in his very own version of glamour.
The most instantly recognisable Ralph Lauren watch is the Stirrup, with its clear reference to the equestrian universe. Whether on a handsome tan calfskin strap or a pleasingly thick chain bracelet in indulgent gold or stainless steel, this watch evokes summer polo matches, riding tweeds, and thoroughbred horses in grassy paddocks. The watch sits perfectly alongside a stack of Chunky Chain bracelets and rings and is both chic yet casual enough to wear every day. It has become Ralph Lauren’s most iconic watch for women and as much a jewel as a practical timekeeper.
The Slim Classique is the most traditional of Ralph Lauren watches and its intricately machine-turned dial uses a centuries-old technique known as guilloché. “The passion of trying to make the best product in the world is very important to me,” says Ralph Lauren of his approach to watchmaking. And nowhere is this more evident than in these women’s watches, which are diligently made by Swiss artisans the old-fashioned way. Embellishment is kept to a minimum and the main focus of attention is the richly textured guilloché dial covered in glossy white, blue or purple lacquer. The traditional Breguet-style hands and Roman numerals add to the restrained, yet sophisticated, look of this watch housed in a slender round case.
The 867 collection is the most glamorous of all Ralph Lauren watches and transports us to the elegance of the Jazz Age and the magic of the cocktail hour, perhaps with Cole Porter playing the piano and a martini being shaken at the bar. Featuring generous amounts of diamonds with opulent gold settings and cases, the 867 is the one to wear as the sun goes down and guests dress for dinner.
