Horological Meandering

Bugatti Atlantic Coupe Interior RL Sporting Automotive Skeleton and RL Sporting Automotive RL Automotive Chronometers (45mm/39mm) and Chronograph Amidst the ‘meet & greet’ at SalonQP 2015 with watchmakers and brand executives, I wanted to visit the Ra...  

Here's the watch with Logo but missing the Brand at the bottom. I kinda like this one better than your alternative, but I concur that Ralph Lauren knows what looks good/best. It would be cool if the big RL was done in Lume - does it glow in the dark? Caza...  

Thanks for the further experimnt. After accepting the RL logo because of balanced design issues, we are left to argue only about the size of the brand name font, if any, at the bottom of the dial. Alas, the RL logo is not photoluminescent......yet..... I ... 

Thank you for the insight about the wood used. Amazing to hear about the inspiration he gets from all things in his design. The insight in to the meetings from your secret source was very interesting. Thank you for the review, I really like these pieces, ... 

I especially enjoyed the anonymous eyewitness report of the RL watch design process

MTF

Although I stated that Ralph Lauren is neither an engineer nor watchmaker, his vast collections of watches and cars are a testament to his appreciation of the fine details that make an excellent watch design. He may even be a PuristS at heart...Passion, O...  

The Automotive Collection is certainly something and the wooden bezel nicely refreshing. But the Slim Classic I like even better, I have to say. IIRC they come in 38mm and 42mm - I like that you are given a choice - the smaller one certainly being closer ... 

???

Please do!

And the links with the Bugatti. Now I better understand the watch. I am very fan of the wooden bezel. Veeery fan. I agree with you on the con, and this double mention which is spoiling a bit the dial. The Logo or the name, but not both. I agree. Needless ... 

Nico, I'm quite drawn to the stainless steel Automotive watches with their elm burl wood dials. I like chronographs but the movement looks too small for a 45mm case, methinks. It may be a JLC chronograph movement. Ralph Lauren calls it a RL751A/1. Ralph L...  

Mechanical self-winding Caliber RL751A/1 by JLC. Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz). Power reserve: ~65 hours. No dimensions given but from the 45mm case diameter and the placement of the sub dials, can you make a guess? Regards, MTF

Mechanical self-winding Swiss movement upgraded to be COSC-certified chronometer Caliber: RL300-1 (Sellita ebauche) Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz) Power reserve: ~42 hours Decor: vertical Côtes de Genève and perlage Also used in Ralph Lauren wat... 

MTF

...Bugatti? I just don't see it. I know this was a crudely worded statement but how does a walnut bezel have any more to do with a Bugatti than a piece of furniture or a jewellery box or a pipe? The stretch is just too far for me.

BDLJ, There is a difference between designing a Bugatti watch to complement a Bugatti car and to draw inspiration from objects or nature. The Ralph Lauren Automotive Watch Collection are not marked as "Bugatti" models. I guess Ralph Lauren was drawing des...  

...inspiration from any source. It is part of the creative process. But when inspiration comes from a steering wheel covering on a Bugatti; rather than the machine-turned engine blocks, the remarkable front axle metallurgy, the use and forming of magnesiu... 

BDLJ, That's a tough proposition; I think not many watch brands have managed to transfer the technology across genres. Maybe Richard Mille and Hublot? Of course, stealing materials from aerospace or motor racing for watches is a common ploy. Motor racing ...  

... but, was the UT-6498 inspired by the F A Jones?

The F.A.Jones is a "recent" movement for the F.A.Jones tribute watches with slow-beat, old style, large balance wheel and regulator index of vintage pocket watches. Unitas 6498 is an "older" movement. However, gear train patterns are quite standard for ti... 

Very brief encounter (SG) but looked very interesting. I have to say that the Classic one in 38mm captured my attention much more!

I like the Slim Classic too but aren't they all in gold of various colours? Price would be similar? As a compromise, the gun-metal steel Sporting Automotive 45mm -- Wood Bezel with F.A. Jones inspired Caliber RL98295 (non-skeleton) may be the one... Regar... 

His cars are nice though.