The new "RL Automotive Chronograph" pays homage to Bugatti

RALPH LAUREN

A wooden bezel with a beautiful sheen and a black dial evoke vintage cars.

Ralph Lauren has released the new "RL Automotive Chronograph Watch," inspired by vintage cars. Featuring a lustrous wooden bezel and a black dial with new bicompax layout comprising 12-hour and 30-minute sub-dials, this elegant timepiece evokes the instruments of classic automobiles.

Text by OZAKI Sayaka | Edit by TSUCHIDA Takashi

A watch with an impressive bezel crafted from amboyna burl wood, showcasing its natural beauty.

Ralph Lauren has unveiled the "RL Automotive Chronograph Watch," inspired by the 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupé, a symbol of pre-war automotive excellence owned by founder Ralph Lauren himself. Born from the connection between automotive and watchmaking, this new timepiece merges high-level industrial capability with sophisticated design, brought to life through exceptionally complex and advanced techniques.

This piece is powered by an automatic movement manufactured exclusively for Ralph Lauren by Jaeger-LeCoultre. It boasts a 65-hour power reserve and features distinctive Côtes de Genève and perlage decorations. The new bicompax layout, with two sub-dials for precise timing—a 12-hour counter and a 30-minute counter—along with polished and sandblasted stainless steel components and a sapphire crystal case back with anti-reflective treatment, showcases undeniable Swiss craftsmanship and Ralph Lauren's signature style in its intricate details.

The amboyna burl wood used for the bezel showcases Bugatti's artistic elegance, evoking the hardwood trim found in luxury car interiors. The lustrous bezel, adorned with a rich, swirling grain, is reminiscent of a Bugatti's steering wheel and is secured with handset screws. The matte black dial features the "RL" monogram logo and Arabic numerals coated with Super-LumiNova® for luminescence, masterfully recreating the style of Bugatti's instrumentation. Ralph Lauren remarked, "The Bugatti Atlantic is perhaps the most beautiful car in the world, in terms of its unique silhouette, interior, finish, and styling details. I can look at it for hours, and my awe only grows with each viewing."

To complement the newly adopted 42mm case, designed for a more refined style, the watch comes with both a black alligator leather strap and a stainless steel bracelet. Both are easily interchangeable thanks to quick-release spring bars.