Ralph Lauren’s key highlight for 2013: the RL67 Tourbillon from its Safari collection. Comes in a 44.8mm diameter case and the thickness of 11.8mm. The stainless steel case features an interesting gunmetal finish. Priced at around US$56,000 / 42,000 euros / 51,000 Swiss francs / 179,000 Malaysian Ringgit / S$69,700. Photo: © TANG Portfolio
The RL67 Tourbillon from Ralph Lauren’s Safari collection is a watch of intrigue. Being the brand’s first high complication led to the fascination and so did its dark “dressing” – a stainless steel watchcase with a gunmetal finish.
Its rugged looks are complemented by the beige Roman numeral hour indexes. Moreover, the gunmetal finish was deliberately made to look worn with certain areas seemingly having undergone serious wear, a point highlighted to us by Francis Srun, managing director, Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Co.
The RL67 Tourbillon is after all, from Ralph Lauren’s Safari collection and perhaps the gunmetal finish is symbolic of the weapons carried during a hunt?
What’s more, the use of a well-patinated crocodilian skin for the strap is a good choice as it lends more weight to the safari theme and heightened the appeal.
Based on the blemishes on the scales, we have good reason to conclude that the strap is actually from a crocodile skin (because the blemishes are from pores usually found on crocodiles) rather than that of an alligator.
We like the rugged well-worn look of the crocodilian strap. We believe that this is crocodile skin based on the blemishes on the scales which are from the pores of crocodile leather. Photo: © TANG Portfolio
The rear view provided even more intrigue, what with the micro rotor. From what we understood, the tourbillon movement is from La Fabrique du Temps which is owned by Louis Vuitton.
The Calibre RL67 automatic movement features a micro-rotor and has 38 hours of power reserve after being fully wound. Photo: © TANG Portfolio
Overall, the sporty RL67 Tourbillon offers a handsomely rugged appeal. One must not forget that Ralph Lauren (the gentleman himself) has a passion for design, highlights Callum Barton, chairman, Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Co.
Ralph Lauren’s RL67 Tourbillon, housed in a 44.8mm diameter case which is 11.2mm thick, is attractively priced at around US$56,000 / 42,000 euros / 51,000 Swiss francs / 179,000 Malaysian Ringgit / S$69,700.