Ralph Lauren Automotive Skeleton Watch Review

Pingtsai's exploration of the Ralph Lauren Automotive Skeleton watch delves into its unique appeal, questioning who this bold, auto-inspired timepiece is truly for. His review highlights how Ralph Lauren's vision for watches, deeply rooted in automotive aesthetics, creates a distinct offering that stands apart from typical fashion brands. This piece remains relevant for collectors interested in the intersection of high fashion, classic automotive design, and horology.

“What kind of customer would be attracted to a watch like this?” The associate at the Ralph Lauren boutique was caught slightly off-guard by the question and a momentary interruption from his sales pitch ensued. He was as well-groomed as he was versed in the most crucial selling points and facts regarding the subject at hand, a brand new automatic RL Skeleton watch that sat in a lighted display box on the wall. As arguably the most interesting piece in Ralph Lauren’s new Automotive watch collection sat beckoning our curiosities and praise in all its apparent technical wonder, two things became obvious. This watch is different from other “fashion” brand watches and Ralph Lauren trains their staff well.

“Well, it’s not for everyone,” the young suited rep answered matter-of-factly with a relaxed all-American charm that seemed to resonate throughout the rest of the store. He was all too eager to share everything he had learned, not in a sales-pitchy way but in a “this is actually pretty fascinating stuff,“ sort of way. The enthusiasm was rare and amounted to what one would consider sufficiently adequate watch knowledge, at least where the seasoned Ralph Lauren client and occasional mall-goer with deep pockets are concerned. This brings us to the question -

“Then who is it for?”

Undoubtedly the RL Automotive Skeleton watch makes a bold statement in many aspects from materials and finishing to colors, sizing and price. In that sense, it likely appeals to a particular design taste and aesthetic expression, namely that of its visionary and creator. You’d almost have to think that Lauren set out to create a watch for himself with the expectation that there’d be others out there who shared his horological palate. With a multi-billion dollar fashion empire and a global brand worth that will even top that, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find more than a few people who do.   

Automotive Design Inspiration

Auto and watch design and appeal have long since shared many parallels and spectators alike. Watches and cars are both works of art which are also mechanical in nature. Precisely engineered for their intended function and masterfully crafted for aesthetic beauty, they are like distant cousins that share the same genetic makeup. Being a fan and collector of both, Lauren wanted his watches to capture the dynamic and artistic spirit that automobiles embody from the lines, materials, sense of power and functionality.

Successful design in any industry always has a “driving” inspiration. It can sometimes be reflected in the shape of a case, the composition and color details on the dial or the overall look and feel of the watch. For the RL Skeleton watch, as well as the rest of the Automotive watch collection, Lauren’s legendary 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe set the tone by incorporating the same burl wood that is used in the steering wheel and dashboard of the vintage automobile. 

In the Skeleton watch, the specially hand-selected amboyna burl wood sits front and center as the bezel which is hand-cut and polished to create a unique look to every piece. Since each cut of wood is different, no two watches will be the same and it practically guarantees that the owner will receive a piece-unique. 

Allowing the wooden bezel to be the distinguishing feature of the watch is a fitting task because it is the first thing that hits you when you see it in-person. The initial thought that comes to mind is how the material is reminiscent of what you’d see a watch box made of rather than an actual watch part. Wood is a material that watch brands will rarely use, if ever. It only goes to show the boldness in design by RL in attempting to create something that is unique, stands out and is reflective of the designer’s passions and the brand’s essence.

Another one of the things you notice about the RL Automotive Skeleton watch is the stark contrast between the wooden bezel and the black skeletonized movement and case. The matte-finished stainless steel black case further enhances the modern edginess of the watch. Opposing forces are at play as the classic character and warm rich tones of the wooden bezel cut through the modern field of high-tech gears and blackened metal. Gold accents in the movement and the screws on the bezel seek to offer some balancing efforts.

It’s a harmonistic approach that would excite just about any eclectically enamored fellow like the wealthy uncle who wears an Apple watch but collects antique grandfather clocks, or the iTunes music listener who occasionally insists on playing some old LPs on the record player from time to time. There’s also the unlikely Purist who pulls out a pocket watch, which flips open to reveal a tourbillon movement inside! Contrast and balance are present in many places. The RL watches make it easy to enjoy.  

The Right Movement

Besides incorporating a timeless and inspired design to his Automotive collection, Lauren also wanted his watches to reflect the “finest in craftsmanship” made by the best watchmakers in the world. In the collection’s first “skeleton” model, the open-worked caliber inside the RL Automotive Skeleton is on full display from the front and rear. Like a sports car with a glass engine cover, it shows off its expertly finished engine, a custom IWC hand-wound caliber RL1967 running at 18,000 vibrations per hour, alongside a 45-hour power reserve. The blackened plates and bridges give the watch a sleek modern appeal while also offering owners an impressive talking point since blackened movements in automatic watches are still pretty uncommon.

Bold Design For Bold Character

It was true when the Ralph Lauren associate said that the RL Automotive Skeleton isn’t for everyone. It has a bold design, substantial character and takes a confident, risk-taking independent thinker to really own it. It also has a bold price tag with a listed retail of $50,000. Others may try it on and even get the opportunity to wear it for a little while but it will be like borrowing a uniform for the day. They won’t feel quite themselves because they haven’t been able to fully feed off of the design inspiration, the concept or the richness of the materials and make it their own. For that, only an elite few will get the privilege.

When Watch Fans Create Watches

The RL Automotive Skeleton isn’t the first watch to be inspired by automotive design. It is however one of the only ones to be created by an iconic designer who himself has a Purist’s mentality when it comes to watches. That is why it is different from other fine fashion brand watches on the market today. A lot more thought went into the design and mechanics of the Automotive Skeleton and the entire collection as a whole and that can sometimes make all the difference when it comes to gauging success.

With the consistent use of one single material throughout the collection, in a carefully orchestrated manner, RL has managed to create five different watches that each have a unique look but are cohesive as a whole. It’s an essential skill adapted from years of designing runway collections and is now helping the RL Automotive watches gain prominence in haute horology.

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