Baselworld/SIHH

THE RALPH LAUREN SLIM CLASSIQUE COLLECTION

"I like places and objects that transform us, 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. They are timeless."

— Ralph Lauren

The Ralph Lauren Slim Classique watch's superbly slender silhouette reflects a sleek modernity, while the detailing and workmanship recall a bygone era of style. With timepieces that represent some of traditional watchmaking's signature elements, the Ralph Lauren Slim Classique Collection offers unmatched sophistication with delicate, hand-guided guilloché and an extremely thin case, recognized historically as a demonstration of the highest level of skill in fine watchmaking.

Featuring white gold, rose gold and platinum cases, the Ralph Lauren Slim Classique Collection encloses an ultra-thin mechanism of only 2.1mm—one of the finest in the world. The perfectly round, slender case showcases a polished caseback ideal for engraving, while the opaline dial displays two "Breguet style" hands accented by Roman numerals and exquisite guilloche designed in a distinct "barleycorn" pattern, with 80 waves gently snailing around in a series of compact spirals from the outer to the inner circle, extending onto the bezel.

Guilloché , or engine turning, is a centuries-old form of engraving historically found on the finest watch cases and dials, and only realized by highly skilled artisans with years of dedication enabling them to hand-craft decorative patterns of great intricacy and regularity. Ralph Lauren continues to preserve and present the art of authentic guilloché with six new additions to the Ralph Lauren Slim Classique Collection.

2010 marks the introduction of a 38mm-diameter case size with the same gracefully thin profile as the original. Meticulous attention has been paid to subtly alter the size of all components of the timepieces, preserving the perfect proportions of the 42mm models. Attractive to both men and women who appreciate the classical dimensions of a traditional dress watch, the new offerings, in white gold and rose gold, strike the perfect balance between elegant and tastefully restrained.

Also new for 2010 are stunning diamond-set models, in both the 38mm and 42mm sizes. These jeweled timepieces in white gold showcase bezels adorned either with rows of round, brilliant-cut diamonds or baguette-cut diamonds. The brilliant-cut diamond models feature precious stones in a grain setting, placed in staggered inner and outer rows to form a virtually continuous diamond surface. The baguette diamond models are serti clos or bezel-set entirely by hand.

Ralph Lauren Slim Classique Collection timepieces are offered with a luxurious black or vibrant red alligator strap, black, red, navy or purple satin or black grosgrain—all accented by a precious metal pin buckle.