Horological Meandering

Well, before viewing, some refreshment...

RL888 Collection.  SS case, 38mm version (quartz)










And this is 32mm version.




Black lacquer dial + 6 times painted index on black dial are very well made.  On the left is 38mm, on the right is 32mm.




The same RL888 Collection, but with "Snow Fall Setting" diamond - setting the 5 different-sized diamonds randomly.




Also with 32mm version.




Beautiful profile.




Beautiful bezel.




Attention to details....  Agian, 6 times painted index on the dial on the background, painted, but heated steel Breguet hands, a la Ralph Lauren.




There are Rose Gold version as well.





Now this is 867 Collection.

There have been 27.5mm, 32mm versions with Piaget movement inside.  And now 35mm automatic version with Sellita-based movement inside.






RL300-1 movement based on Sellita SW300.




Not bad at all on my smallish 16.5mm wrist.





This is the new Automotive Collection.

Automotive Tourbillon with automatic winding movement.






Case back is a bit hard to see through - just because Mr. Lauren wants all to be black-ish, this case back glass is "Smoky Crystal".




Better?  This was the best I could do.

Look at the half rotor on the top of the back with RL logo.  Symmetry, with vertical cote de Geneva pattern, very beautiful backside, too.





Now, not only that, this is Automotive Double Tourbillon, hand-winding.

These two tourbillon are connected via two gears which "sandwiches" a sort of "hair spring" that pulls one another to help maintain the "sync" of those two.

To be precise, since it uses hair spring, the rotation of the one delays slightly from another, but keeps accurate timing.

Similar to the idea of resonance, constant force - the purpose is to maintain the speed as long as possible regardless of how much power reserve is left.

To the tip of the hand, attention is paid.




Again, not very visible "Smoky Crystal".




A bit big at 46mm, but considering the technology poured into this, I could live with it.







Both movement are made by "Le Cercle des Horologers".



Well, well, well, the main character makes the entrance.




Yes!  Ralph Lauren Slim Classique Minute Repeater.

Aesthetically beautiful movement is made by "Fabrique du Temps".  Yes, it has been acquired by LVMH Group, but this project started 4 years ago, so it can supply this movement to Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry, which is 50% owned by Richemont.

Now I have to tell you - this is just ONE piece only... UNIQUE PIECE.  Right now, 5 people are thinking of it and the first one who commits wins.  Anyone?

Again, very well made dial and hands.  Really worth to have a minute repeater movement inside....

Of course, without hearing, you can't decide, right?  Here you go!

What do you think?  I think the sound is excellent.  Can't underestimate Fabrique du Temps.  As always it has been, they are sooo good (remember that the Gallet Tourbillon and Micro Rotor of Laurent Ferrier were made by them).

Well, there is of course the twin with same design, normal watch here - 42mm two-hander.







By the way, I noticed one thing.  The profile of this minute repeater - one of the thicker models from Ralph Lauren.




The very thin RL888 Collection profile - very similar, right?  Looks like a "bowl", just the difference of depth....




Not only that, Ralph Lauren is adamant about "consistency" in design.  Look at the profile of the lugs and the buckle.  They are made to be in similar shape.




See?

So, these are the Ralph Lauren 2017 Novelty.  I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

Special thanks to:

Hida-san, Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry

Kato-san, BRANDING-Y

HAGWE!

Ken