Ralph Lauren Watches Part 1: The Stirrup Collection

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed)
Jan 22nd 2009 at 12:02PM

As the luxury watch market feels the pressure from the economy on its shoulders, you wouldn't expect to see new brands popping up. Regardless, this partnership between Polo Ralph Lauren and the Richemont Group took seed before the economic hit really began and there was no stopping this seemingly immune connection of fashion and haute horology.

The new Equestrian line from Ralph Lauren is separated into three collections. The first of which is the aptly named "Stirrup Collection" due to the shape of the watch case. No, it isn't the tombstone collection. These are no mere fashion watches as can be seen from their unveiling at which occurred at the luxury watch show SIHH 2009. Richemont is the name behind many luxury brands, some of which the Ralph Lauren collection borrows from literally and thematically.

Inside the Ralph Lauren Stirrup collection watches are all Jaeger LeCoultre (Richemont owned) movements, such as the caliber RL750 in the power reserve version of the watch. The 18k rose gold case has a domed anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal, with a water-resistance of 30 meters. The watch designs look to me like a cross between Cartier (Richemont owned) and Hermes (not Richemont owned). Think of the Roman numbers (Cartier) and the shape of the case that looks like the Hermes lock-shaped watch. The stirrup collection is mounted on a wide crocodile band that is almost like a bund strap given how the lugs are attached. It's attractive and sober looking - just what the economy needs right now.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Ralph Lauren Stirrup Collection watch

Tags: collection, equestrian, polo, ralph lauren, RalphLauren, richemont, stirrup, timepiece, watch

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

shieldsbrown Jan 22nd 2009 3:10PM

Are there really that many watch-freaks out there?

just me Jan 22nd 2009 3:58PM

yes, there are. You should have seen the Tourneau shop around Christmas time, crazy, three deep. And think about it, men don't really have many opportunities to by jewelry for themselves, watches is one way to do so.

Bill Jan 24th 2009 4:01AM

Yes, there seems to be. I don't really get it myself as most of these so-called luxury watches are really quite unattractive.

@just me, I'm going to differ with you regarding opportunities for men to buy jewelry for themselves. There's all sorts that we men can buy, if we so desire: bracelets, rings, necklaces/pendents, cuff links and lapel pins. And, for the adventurous urban man, there's earrings and studs.

When I dress up for an occasion, I typically wear a watch, bracelet, cuff links, necklace and two tiny sterling silver hops in each ear. And, I'm not really into bling that much. Go figure! ;)