Some of you probably know that the Ralph Lauren brand has watches in its collection. And not simple watches like a fashion brand that would make watches, but well thought out and pushed to a fairly high level of quality and watchmaking. Today, the brand is unveiling a new piece: the Ralph Lauren Polo Vintage 67. Before that, let’s go back for a moment to the history of watches at RL.
Ralph Lauren and watchmaking
If you know even a little about the personality of the man who gave his name to the brand, you know how watches have had a singular importance throughout his life and even today. This is why, at a given moment in the growth of the company, the question arose of developing watch collections, but in the Lauren way, with something spectacular.
It all started in the mid-2000s when Ralph Lauren approached the Richemont group in order to propose a “joint venture” between, on the one hand, those who master everything at the level of watchmaking, and on the other, those who want to express a certain idea of style. The first watches are presented in 2008 and come to market in 2009. We think for example of the women’s collection Stirrup (stirrup in English) which refers to the important equestrian world of the brand, whose first watches were equipped with quartz movements cartier. In another register, there was also the collection Sporting with complications and a universe linked to motorsport, between the chronograph and its movement borrowed from Jaeger Lecoultre and the series Automotive with the famous partially wooden dial.
The line of watches Polo Ralph Lauren appears in 2018 to bring watches in the style of what the brand has been able to do very well in the past but at more “affordable” prices, in particular through more standard movements, but still very well finished.
Since then, the brand has come a long way but returns this year with a real watchmaking proposal by presenting a new watch that appears in the Polo collection: the Vintage ’67 polo shirt.
Ralph Lauren Polo Vintage 67
Ralph Lauren is pleased to present the new piece that will enter the Polo watch collection: the Vintage ’67 polo shirt. The register this time turns to the 1920s and 1930s in the overall style of the watch. The big surprise takes place when the eyes run through the curves of the case for the first time. Out of the ordinary, it immediately brings to mind the cases of American watches of the 1920s and 1930s, with pretty short lugs, obviously in larger proportions with its 40mm in diameter, But the heart is there. A steel case which, by its finishes, seems to have stood the test of time and even takes on the reflections of silver, which could be the case with watches from the first half of the 20th century.
More than the case, everything is done to send us back to the watches of the 20s and 30s. The small crown onion, the dial found on “railway” (or railroad) watches and its large, very American painted Arabic numerals, its rigorous railroad, its shiny “pear” hands, not to mention the generous, snailed small seconds , all on an opaline background. A dial also highlighted by a curved glass as it should be. However, it is a pity that the Polo logo takes up so much space within the dial.
But the watch wouldn’t have the perfect style without a movement to manual winding. This is what has been chosen here, and which gives the watch its great finesse of 9.1 mm. A caliber La Joux-Perret which has been very well decorated with a large reinforcement of Geneva stripes and perlage, a sunburst for the visible wheels, ratchet and crown wheel included, with the very sober and contrasting mention of Ralph Lauren in black. And above all, a very fine power reserve of 90 hours.
A very distinctive watch, with codes that refer both to the style of Ralph Lauren but also to classic watchmaking and the great West.
To go with this novelty, nothing better than a “bund” type bracelet in brown cowhide leather with a beautiful light brown hue. The Polo Vintage 67 watch is available in select Ralph Lauren stores and soon on the brand’s website at the price of 2.460€.
