Manufacture
Kong provides an exclusive look at the Singapore unveiling of the Ralph Lauren RL Automotive Skeleton, a timepiece inspired by Ralph Lauren's personal 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe. His report details the event at the Marina Bay Sands boutique and offers a close examination of the watch, prompting community discussion on its design, movement, and the brand's watchmaking commitment.
On 20th October 2015, RALPH LAUREN Watch And Jewelry hosted an event to
showcase their new RALPH LAUREN RL Automotive Skeleton in Singapore at
their duplex Marina Bay Sands Boutique.
Please join me on a virtual tour of the evening and followed by a closer look at the RL Automotive Skeleton with LIVE photographs.
The facade of the duplex RALPH LAUREN Boutique in Marina Bay Sands. The RL watch section is located near the front entrance on the ground floor.
For our global visitors, I should explain that a duplex showroom in one of the most luxurious retail malls in Singapore deserves a second look. The Marina Bay Sands casino complex is now a landmark in Singapore and visible prominently at every major telecast of the bay e.g. F1 Grand Prix racing.
The acquisition of a duplex retail space demonstrates commitment to the luxury retail experience and to pardon the pun, more than a one pony show than just Ralph Lauren polo shirts!
RALPH LAUREN RL Automotive Skeleton
Most will remember 'Polo' when the word 'Ralph Lauren' is mentioned.
This American designer was already a brand icon even before the buzz-word "
branding" or brand management emerged.
Over the years, he has expanded
his clothing and accessory universe related to adventurer
(Safari), equestrian, driving and motorcycling, formal and hip genres. That's
not just it: we understand that he even designed and built furniture. He is an avid collector of classic automobiles and watches too.
In
2011, he started his Automotive Watch series drawing inspiration from a personal vintage collection of automobiles.
In 2015, he unveiled another five Automotive watches and one of them is the RALPH LAUREN RL Automotive Skeleton, inspired by his 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe.
The 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe is a rare classic car: only 4
were built.
We heard mention that it cost Ralph Lauren about $40 Million to acquire but that is only hearsay!
It was designed by Jean Bugatti and built until 1940. A sudden discontinuation of this classic car may have been due to the World War II.
The
body of the Type 57SC is of Duralumin (an aluminium alloy), which at
that time, was the one of lightest metals (besides magnesium) or
equivalent to today's carbon fibre.
The body panels were riveted,
creating signature seams. Probably the stitching of the leather straps on the watch resemble the rivet seams?
Above is a section of the amboyna burl, showing how a round block is cut and then processed.
This video ( at 0:39) gives a glimpse of the craftsman fabricating the bezel.
A layer of lacquer was applied at the last stage to protect the surface and give it a slight glossy finish.
Though it was not mentioned in the specifications, the RL Automotive Skeleton, will be limited in production of 50 pieces.
The 45mm diameter (by 11.20mm height)
case of 316L steel, is blackened and annealed in chemical bath.
Water-resistance is rated to 50m.
To reduce glare and enhance the
viewing pleasure of the skeletonised movement, the sapphire is slightly
convex and anti-reflective coated on the second surface of the crystal.
The
open-work is well-planned with balanced symmetry and nicely exposes
the large balance wheel of the hand-wound IWC-sourced FA Jones 98290 movement.
Both the 12H (near the barrel area) and 6H sub-dial areas are decorated
with azurage pattern. Overall the platine is black matte galvanised to
closely match the case.
A prominent change is an added 'RL' logo,
probably to identify this watch is of the RL universe. Somehow the logo seems to be too large and sort of 'in your face'. Even the full word at 6H is big.
The sword-shaped hour and minute hands are coated with a beige Super-LumiNova to provide a consistent vintage feel.
The lug-horns have a stepped curve profile, perhaps, referencing the fenders of the Type 57SC.
With the quick-dropped design, this 45mm watch embraces small wrists well, even better after the leather strap is softened.
The crown
is signed with RL logo, and of the right size for easy winding and time
adjustment. Constant winding may wear the burl bezel around the crown
area. For some, it may even be a welcome sign of use or stories to
tell. As for those who are particular, it would be wise to check with
RALPH LAUREN if the 15-year-warranty for the bombe Amboyna burl bezel
covers this area.
The FA Jones caliber is skeletonised by ValFleurier at the component level.
The whole assembly of the movement, casing and final quality control
and assurance is executed by RALPH LAUREN Watch division.
This
manual movement RL1967 beats at 18,000VPH and has a power reserve of 45
hours.
It is actually very beautiful. Seeing the Jones calibre with
black bridges / platine, contrasting with the golden and silverish alloy
parts and red rubies, sort of reminds us of the Bamford pieces.
Taking visual cues from the Bugatti and merging it into his passion for watches the outcome is with a purpose. I am interested in the weight and curious to see some wrist shots. Great job for Ralph Lauren and thanks Kong for the insight into the launch of the RL automotive Skeleton watch. Bill
it is not heavy, all I can say. Unfortunately, I did not photograph a wristshot, as this is the only piece that is going around the region. Thanks for viewing. Kong
At the same time I have to agree with you, that the logos are unnecessarily prominent. Ralph Lauren has probably best managed to separate his cheaper clothing lines from the more exclusive ones (at least in terms of succeeding so globally) and is one of the few fashion brands whose watches can be taken very seriously by watch enthusiasts. Therefore I find it even more baffling that they went for something so bold (for lack of a better neutral term). The watch is definitely another demonstration
Unfortunately, the sister's Weinmaraner puppy decided that the Tissot Wood watch was a chew-toy.... Even before that Chew Incident, it was not in the same league as the Ralph Lauren watch! Tissot Wood watch Regards, MTF
But to a 12 year old who has never seen a RL the wooden Tissot was the real deal
Don't you think the RL logo at 12 o'clock is required to balance the subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock? It would look empty if the logo were not there. A BIG Black space because the mainspring barrel plate must be there. See below... Balance at 12 and 06 positions Regards, MTF
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