Horological Meandering

One sunny and very hot day with heat wave warning Saturday in New York, I visited the super wonderful flagship boutique of Ralph Lauren to check out the Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry pieces, especially those which can be seen only here.

This building used to be a mansion of a wealthy family and have been here for a very long time....  Wonderful!

And the address is 867 Madison Avenue.

On the other side of Madison avenue is 888 Madison Avenue, which was rebuilt several years ago and this building is the main place where you can see most of the watches (some are displayed at 867, but the main are in this building).

I met up with Jim Kloiber of Battalion PR and did a guided tour inside both buildings (sorry, no picture allowed).

And I was greeted by the Jewelry and Timepiece Supervisor, Damian Cinotti, at 888 Madison.

Photography inside is not permitted, so please pardon me showing only the close-up photos of the watches.

1. RL888 Collection

I have shown you the latest RL 888 Collection here:

www.watchprosite.com

or here:

www.watchprosite.com

but this is in a totally different league.

* RL888 Deco Diamond 38mm White Gold with Diamonds timepiece: $888,000

(needless to say, this is RL888, which came from 888 Madison, and the price is 888K)

Just "WOW".  Look at the nicely set triangle shape diamond bezel.

- Press Release

The RL888 Deco Diamond timepiece requires up to 600 hours of handcraftsmanship to produce, from gem cutting and setting to the intricate production of the 18K white gold base. Stunning art deco motifs adorn both the bezel and bracelet, which feature 414 baguette diamonds, 13 brilliant‐cut diamonds and a single rose‐cut diamond—for an approximate total of 17.31 carats. The RL888 Deco Diamond watch also includes 159 black spinels, while an 18K white gold bracelet with six adjustable links allows for convenient customization. The Swiss manufacture quartz movement ensures the utmost in accuracy and precision.

Only a single RL888 Deco Diamond will be produced and, signifying its status as a one‐of‐a‐kind high jewelry timepiece, the back of its case will be hand‐engraved with “unique piece.”

RALPH LAUREN RL888 COLLECTION RL888 Deco Diamond

RLR0192200

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

MOVEMENT Quartz Swiss Manufacture movement

  Caliber: RL057

  Battery life: ~60 months

  Components: 57

  Decor: vertical Côtes de Genève

FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes

CASE 18K white gold, polished Diameter: 38.00 mm; Thickness: 6.46 mm, Flat sapphire crystal, internal colorless anti-reflective treatment, Water resistance: 3 bar (~30 m)

Crown: 18K white gold with diamonds

GEM 414 triangle and baguette cut diamonds, 159 triangle black spinels, 13 diamonds, 1 rose-cut diamond ~17.31 (estimated) carats (case, bracelet & clasp)

DIAL Color: white, lacquered & polished, Black Roman numerals & Arabic numbers, printed

HANDS Hour, minute: Breguet-style hands

  Color: shiny black, oxidized

BRACELET Three-link 18K white gold bracelet, 6 adjustable links set with diamonds and black spinels

CLASP 18K white gold 3-part fold-over clasp, polished

RALPH LAUREN RL AUTOMOTIVE COLLECTION

RL Automotive Double Tourbillon - 45mm

RLR0220714

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

MOVEMENT Mechanical manual-winding, Swiss movement

Caliber: RL367, 14 1/4 ’’’, 45 jewels Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz), Power reserve: ~72 hours

Decor: Vertical Côtes de Genève

FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, double tourbillon

CASE Black shot-blasted stainless steel with amboyna burl wood bezel

Diameter: 44.80 mm; Thickness: 14.90 mm

Convex sapphire crystal, internal colorless anti-reflective treatment, Back secured with 6 screws

Inter-lug width: 23.00 mm

Water resistance: 5 bar (~50 m)

Crown: Black shot-blasted stainless steel, black finishing

DIAL Color: Black matte galvanic, Beige Super-LumiNova® Arabic numbers and RL logo, printed

HANDS Hour, minute: Sword-shaped hands; Shiny black oxidized with beige Super-Luminova®

STRAP Black alligator, black Alsavel® lining, Width at the fold-over clasp: 20.00 mm

BUCKLE Stainless steel shot-blasted pin buckle, black finishing

RALPH LAUREN RL AUTOMOTIVE COLLECTION

RL Automotive Tourbillon - 45mm

RLR0220713

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

MOVEMENT Mechanical self-winding with a rhodium-plated micro-rotor, Swiss movement

 Caliber: RL267, 13 1/3 ’’’ (30mm), 29 jewels Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)

 Power reserve: ~72 hours

 Decor: Vertical Côtes de Genève

FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, tourbillon

CASE Black shot-blasted stainless steel with amboyna burl wood bezel

 Diameter: 44.80 mm; Thickness: 12.40 mm

 Convex sapphire crystal, internal colorless anti-reflective treatment, Back secured with 6 screws

 Inter-lug width: 23.00 mm

Water resistance: 5 bar (~50 m)

Crown: Black shot-blasted stainless steel, black finishing

DIAL Color: Black matte galvanic, Beige Super-LumiNova® Arabic numbers and RL logo, printed

HANDS Hour, minute: Sword-shaped hands; Shiny black oxidized with beige Super-Luminova®

STRAP Black alligator, black Alsavel® lining, Width at the fold-over clasp: 20.00 mm

BUCKLE Stainless steel shot-blasted pin buckle, black finishing

3. RL67 Safari

Actually, this tourbillon watch was made before Automotive Collection Tourbillon watches.  But looks so cool and am impressed with the style and design.

RL67 Safari Tourbillon 45mm model: $55,000

The case has been made to look like "vintage" feeling.

RALPH LAUREN SPORTING COLLECTION

RL67 Safari Tourbillon – 45 mm – Gunmetal Finish

RLR0220704 

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

MOVEMENT Mechanical, self-winding equipped with a micro-rotor, 

  Manufacture movement Caliber: RL67, 

  Power reserve: ~38 hours, 

  Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz), 

  Components: 145

  Decor: Vertical Côtes de Genève

FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock on the Tourbillon cage

  TOURBILLON Central Tourbillon axis with one rotation per minute. Tourbillon bridge specially designed for Ralph Lauren

CASE Stainless steel, gunmetal finish

  Diameter: 44.80 mm; Thickness: 11.20 mm

  Convex sapphire crystal, internal colorless anti-reflective treatment, Sapphire crystal back secured with 6 screws

Water resistance: 5 bar (50 m)

Crown: Stainless steel with RL initials logo, Gunmetal finish

DIAL Color: Black, matte varnished, Beige luminescent substance Roman numerals, printed Beige minute track, printed

HANDS Hour, minute: Sword-shaped hands; Shiny black oxidized with beige luminescent substance

  Second: Baton hand, beige, varnished

STRAP Brown alligator, brown leather lining

BUCKLE Stainless steel pin buckle, gunmetal finish

* Ralph Lauren 867 Square Model In White Gold

You could say this is "Art Deco".  This WG model is weighty and very elegant looking chap.  You can wear it many occasions - even though more dressy type occasion may be better.  This dial and bezel pattern are so well done and, again, Art Deco kinda feeling.  Inside is Piaget movement.  On the back is mirror-like shiny curbed back.  Very, very desirable dress/ business watch, IMHO.

* 867 Art Deco Watch

According to Ralph Lauren:

"THE RALPH LAUREN MODERN ART DECO WATCH

With its use of clean geometric lines and incorporation of the most luxurious materials, the Art Deco movement allowed the regal indulgence of the 19th century to coexist with the sleek modernity of the 20th, revolutionizing timeless ideals of style and beauty. For Ralph Lauren, that era's unmatched elegance, and its daring spirit of optimism, has long been a source of inspiration.

Channeling dashing sophistication and refined glamour, the new Ralph Lauren Modern Art Deco watches are characterized by luxurious embellishments with versions in 18k white or rose gold, decorated by shimmering diamonds, black onyx and eclectic colored adornments in red, green or white. The dial highlights Art Deco graphics with a series of concentric squares, and is crafted in silver opaline, indicating the hours and minutes through graceful Breguet-style hands and domed black Roman and Arabic numerals.

The square case fittingly recalls the classic dress watch proportions of this period, measuring a traditional 27.5mm. Complementing the unique design of the case, this watch is presented on an elegant black satin strap with a matching 18k white or rose gold folding clasp set with diamonds, black onyx and red, green or white colored accents. Honoring the art of fine watchmaking with exquisite jewelry craftsmanship, these timepieces are set with nearly 300 diamonds􀀀including an antique-style rose-cut diamond inset in the crown􀀀for the ultimate in timeless glamour.

Celebrating a distinctive Art Deco aesthetic, these timepieces combine bold geometry, meticulous craftsmanship and ultra-slim silhouettes, made possible by the superbly thin caliber RL430 created by Piaget for Ralph Lauren. This manual-winding movement features a power reserve of 40 hours.

The Ralph Lauren Modern Art Deco watches are available in limited edition, at the Ralph Lauren stores in New York - 888 Madison Avenue and Paris - Avenue Montaigne."

And now this is the one:

* 867 Modern Art Deco Model in White Gold with Red Coral-Based Stone: $54,500

I wondered what this redish stone was.  Ah, Coral...  No wonder....  Nice accent.

THE RALPH LAUREN MODERN ART DECO WATCH

27.5 mm - White Gold – Red Coral Based Stone

RLR0152901

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

MOVEMENT Mechanical manual winding

  Manufacture movement, made by Piaget for Ralph Lauren 

  Caliber: RL430

  Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)

  Power reserve: ~40 hours

  Components: 131

  Decor: Vertical Côtes de Genève and perlage (circular graining)

FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes

CASE 18K white gold, with one row of diamonds and a black resin frame

  Size: 27.50 x 27.50 mm

  Thickness: 5.70 mm

  Convex sapphire crystal, external and internal colorless anti-reflective treatment

  Water resistance: 3 bar (~30 m)

GEM 284 diamonds, ~1.36 carats

  Crown: 18K white gold with a diamond

DIAL Color: Silvery opaline

  Black Roman numerals & Arabic numbers, printed

HANDS Hour, minute: Breguet-style hands

  Color: Shiny black, oxidized

STRAP Black satin with diamonds, black onyx and red coral based stone

CLASP 18K white gold fold-over clasp set with diamonds, black onyx and red coral based stone

And, yet another 867 high-end piece.

* 867 Diamond Timepiece: $154,000

Now this one fits only to a nice evening dress....  Wow....

The photos cannot do justice.






Even the buckle is perfectly done.

RALPH LAUREN 867 COLLECTION

Diamond watch – White gold

RLR0132705

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

MOVEMENT Mechanical, manual winding Manufacture movement Caliber: RL430, Power reserve: ~40 hours, Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)

Components: 131

Decor: Vertical Côtes de Genève and perlage (circular graining)

FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes

CASE 18K white gold, polished

Diameter: 27.50 x 27.50 mm; Thickness: 5.70 mm

Flat sapphire crystal, external and internal colorless anti-reflective treatment

Water resistance: 3 bar (30 m)

CROWN 18K white gold with a rose cut diamond

DIAL Color: Silver opaline

Black Roman numerals & Arabic numbers, printed

HANDS Hour, minute: Breguet-style hands

Color: Shiny black, oxidized

STRAP Black suede embellished with diamonds

CLASP 18K white gold fold-over clasp set with diamonds

5. Stirrup Collection

* Stirrup Limited Edition Large Chronograph Platinum Model: $68,500

Now, this did get my attention.  Platinum 950 case, enamel dial, JLC-based movement chronograph.  Quite weighty with authoritative feeling.

RALPH LAUREN STIRRUP MODEL - LARGE

Platinum / Limited Edition (67 pieces)

RLR0034700

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

MOVEMENT Mechanical self-winding

  Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, produced & finished to Ralph Lauren’s specifications 

  Caliber: RL750, 11 1/2’’’, 41 jewels

  Frequency: 28 800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz)

  Power reserve: 48 hours

  Components: 261

  Decor: Vertical Côtes de Genève

FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, seconds subdial at 6 o’clock

Chronograph function: Center chronograph hand measures elapsed seconds,

  30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock.

CASE 950 Platinum, polished

  Size: 36.60 x 38.50 mm; Opening: 27.50 x 31.10 mm; Thickness: 12.15 mm

  Convex sapphire crystal, external and internal colorless anti-reflective treatment

Back secured with 6 screws

Inter-lug width: 6 o’clock side 28.50 mm, 12 o’clock side 12.00 mm

Water resistance: 3 bar (30 m)

Crown: 18K White Gold with a deep black onyx

Platinum weight: ~115.3 gr.

DIAL Color: White enamel

Black Roman numerals, printed

Black “railroad track” style minute track, printed

HANDS Hour, minute, subdials: Sword-shaped hands

  Center chronograph: Baton hand

  Color: Blued steel

STRAP Black alligator, black Alsavel lining, Length: 210 mm

CLASP 950 Platinum fold-over clasp, polished

Width at the fold-over clasp: 20 mm.

And this is its full-pave version.







There are lots of variety in the Stirrup Collection - these are "Diamond Link Model - Full Pave Diamond - White Gold", Medium, Small and Pettite size collections.

Medium one has automatic movement, Small one has Piaget 430P-based Manual Winding movement, and Pettite one has quartz movement.




Weighty?  Nah, not much.  How it feels to wear?  I wouldn't know!  But cute!

Price - Medium $225,000. Small $200,000, Pettite $190,000.  Up to you (or your significant other(s)) )











Finally, another my favorite.

* Slim Classique 42mm Platinum Model: $32,900

and its small brother (38mm)

Powered by Piaget 430P-based movement, in platinum case.  Simple yet elegant, extra thin, blued steel hands, guilloche dial.  What not to like?











Very nice even on my wrist....








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BONUS!

Dinner with Guillaume Tetu, COO, Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Company at THE POLO BAR restaurant!

We talked about watches passionately.  He talked how Mr. Ralph Lauren  designs and approves watches.  How passionate he is about watches, just like about his vintage cars.  How he designed this THE POLO BAR.  He says Mr. Ralph Lauren comes here often and this place is always fully booked.  But there is always a table for Mr. Lauren and himself.  Wow.  He has seen several celebrities here - not surprising at all.  I think I saw some familiar faces that night, too....

He wears the latest 867 (bigger size)

... which I tried on....

Everything is "THE POLO BAR" here.....  Of course everything tastes great (including wine...).

Thank you, Mr. Tetu for making time for having dinner with me!

The Polo Bar - 1 East 55th Street.  Be sure to make reservation far, far in advance!

Thank you for reading through.  It was a perfect, fun weekend.

Thank you, Mr. Guillaume Tetu for fun time at Polo Bar.

Thank you, Ralph Lauren Boutique, Mr. Damian Cinotti for showing the watches.

For arranging:

Thank you, Ms. Allison Cheng (Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry, Geneva)

Thank you, Jim and Britta at Batallion

Thank you also, Yuka-san at Branding Y

Ken

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