Comments:
After months of indecision I finally selected the RL Automotive Chronometer. The runner up was a new old stock PAM337. It was a close call between the two and I'm still not sure if I made the right choice.
See if you can pick up the design motifs from the four watches above in the RL Automotive Chronometer.
The craftsmanship on the watch is faultless. The case work is superlative and the alligator strap is as good as Santoni.
I wear the watch with the outfit below and it works great. Though the pam337 or just about any Rolex or Omega would also work.
This message has been edited by edwardwchang on 2016-03-07 08:20:09 This message has been edited by edwardwchang on 2016-03-07 08:24:21 This message has been edited by edwardwchang on 2016-03-07 08:25:42
Ralph Lauren Automotive Chronometer 39mm
After months of indecision I finally selected the RL Automotive Chronometer. The runner up was a new old stock PAM337. It was a close call between the two and I'm still not sure if I made the right choice.
The RL is definitely a designer watch. Contrast this with the Panerai Radiomir which wasn't designed so much as Macgyvered (urban dictionary for non Americans) from an old Rolex pocket watch.
As you may know I am a lawyer but I founded my own fashion brand Wellington & Cromwell which I personally design. The design elements I see in this RL watch are illustrated in the collage below
See if you can pick up the design motifs from the four watches above in the RL Automotive Chronometer.
Ralph is the master of combining disparate design motifs into something beautiful and I believe this watch is a perfect example of his sampling and mixing methodology to create a beautiful object.
The craftsmanship on the watch is faultless. The case work is superlative and the alligator strap is as good as Santoni.
The watch comes in a nice croc embossed calfskin box with a hardbound instruction manual.
I wear the watch with the outfit below and it works great. Though the pam337 or just about any Rolex or Omega would also work.
This message has been edited by edwardwchang on 2016-03-07 08:20:09 This message has been edited by edwardwchang on 2016-03-07 08:24:21 This message has been edited by edwardwchang on 2016-03-07 08:25:42
Congratulations
Quite like it, actually.
One quibble. As a designer, can you explain the choice in the hour hand length? It is almost as long as the minutes hand and looks like it should be a few mm shorter.
hour hand length
The hour hand length definitely compromises functionality in favor of aesthetic balance. For a functional object like a wristwatch, this is a pretty risky compromise.
If you look at the Stowa B dial Flieger in my collage you can see there are two concentric subdial circles, one for the hour at 1/2 radius and a minutes circle track at 1 radius. The hour hand on the B dial flieger extends to 1/2r and it already looks a bit stubby.
The design of the RL watch has three circle subdial tracks at 1/3r, 2/3r and 1r. This gives it a cool military look vaguely like the concentric circles on targetting crosshairs
but it really splits up the dial. The hour arabic numerals are designated at the circle at 2/3r but thats where the minutes hand goes also so thats why the two hands are similar in length.
Its not ideal but if the hour hand were shorter, extending to only 1/3r it would look way too stubby.
This message has been edited by edwardwchang on 2016-03-07 08:48:02
This message has been edited by edwardwchang on 2016-03-07 08:48:47
The design of the RL watch has three circle subdial tracks at 1/3r, 2/3r and 1r. This gives it a cool military look vaguely like the concentric circles on targetting crosshairs
but it really splits up the dial. The hour arabic numerals are designated at the circle at 2/3r but thats where the minutes hand goes also so thats why the two hands are similar in length.
Its not ideal but if the hour hand were shorter, extending to only 1/3r it would look way too stubby.
I see what you mean
The concentric layout of the dial is striking, particularly with addition of the outer index (compared to other models in the line).
From straight-on stock photos, it looks like the hour hand could be shortened a touch, such that the tip just touches the edge of the Arabics, rather than passing over them. The hour hand could also be fattened slightly to accentuate the difference. It's supposed that either change would lessen the aesthetic balance, but it isn't clear to me that this is the case.
Hand size is only a minor quibble with this watch, but there have been some recent watches releases with hands that don't reach the index tracks or similar. The Cle de Cartier is what comes to my mind. I'm trying to better understand the design process, to differentiate between watches where aesthetics determined the size of the hands vs. watches where hand sizes are haphazard.
From straight-on stock photos, it looks like the hour hand could be shortened a touch, such that the tip just touches the edge of the Arabics, rather than passing over them. The hour hand could also be fattened slightly to accentuate the difference. It's supposed that either change would lessen the aesthetic balance, but it isn't clear to me that this is the case.
Hand size is only a minor quibble with this watch, but there have been some recent watches releases with hands that don't reach the index tracks or similar. The Cle de Cartier is what comes to my mind. I'm trying to better understand the design process, to differentiate between watches where aesthetics determined the size of the hands vs. watches where hand sizes are haphazard.
I'm so glad you withstood the pressure from the HoroPolice
edwardwchang,
I'm really pleased you did not compromise your soul and design aesthetic by finally selecting the Ralph Lauren Automotive Chronometer 39mm.
I could see the immense pressure that the HoroPolice applied to get you to choose "established: brands like Audemars Piguet and Panerai 
Until now, I kept my innermost counsel secret but as the deed is done, I can say that even from Day 1, you had chosen the Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelery (to give them their full company name) aesthetic.
You vacillated over other brands or models to "justify" the horological merit or "resale value" or after comments from our community but always circled back to RLWJ.
It was always RLWJ and it prevailed.....
Congratulations!
MTF
thank you
your support and excellent coverage of the Ralph Lauren skeleton watch really helped my decision. I'm thrilled with the RL and I'm sure I will still love it in twenty years.
Ed
Ed
Congrats!!
Looks very nice on your wrist..... Fashion, watch, car.... Ralph Lauren is very adamant on these things, as you know.....
Again, very good choice and congrats!
Ken
Wrist shot
Thanks so much Ken!
Here's a photo that shows the sizing of the watch. Right wrist is pam512 the 42mm radiomir 1940. I think I made the right choice between the two and I'm still super excited about my new acquisition.
This message has been edited by edwardwchang on 2016-03-09 05:38:03
Cargo pants with a safari'ish designed watch
Plus the burl wood brown is the same color as the pants 
- AT
- AT