Ralph Lauren Unveils New 888 Collection for Women and a New Size in the Automotive Line

Last week in New York, Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Company unveiled an all-new collection of timepieces for 2016. It has been eight years since the brand unveiled its first collection and the new line ushers in new sizes for its iconic Automotive and 867 collections, and witnesses the unveiling of an all-new series for women, called RL888.

Deftly blending style and elegance, the all-new ultra-feminine RL888 collection is named in honor of the designer’s flagship store for women at 888 Madison Avenue. The round watches reflect a daring sophistication that underscores Ralph Lauren’s vision of today’s stylish woman.

With an inspiring aesthetic and creative appeal, the 888 Collection features interchangeable straps in a painter’s palette of rich and diverse hues and in a range of materials from alligator to patent leather, grosgrain or satin. There is also the option of a supple metal link bracelet. The interchangeable straps underscore the ability to go from business to casual chic, from boardroom to dining room – changing the color and look of the watch to suit the mood and the moment.

The 888 watches are all sleek and thin, offered in two sizes: 32mm, 38mm. They are powered by quartz movements and offered in polished stainless steel or in 18-karat rose gold. Each watch features either a plain bezel, or a bezel fully set with diamonds, and each is warmly enriched with either a diamond- or amethyst-set crown.

The expressive dials, with Breguet hands, boast a unique combination of Arabic and Roman numerals for a hint of surprise and beguiling mystery. This Arabic/Roman dial is one that has become iconic for Ralph Lauren watches. The carefully curated collection of fine timepieces is the epitome quality Swiss craftsmanship, and marks a new, more accessible opening price point for the brand – starting at $1,990 in stainless steel.

Additionally, Ralph Lauren releases the much-loved Automotive watch in a new 39mm size – making it more broadly appealing to differently sized wrists. Crafted in black steel, the new watch features the coveted burl wood bezel indicative of the Automotive line. This is the series that is inspired by Lauren’s rare 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupes.

The new Automotive 39mm Black Steel timepiece is mysterious and intriguing thanks not only to the shot-blasted gunmetal black stainless steel case, but also to the rich and inviting Amboyna burl wood bezel that is expertly hand cut and finished by artisans to reveal the deep color and twisted, mottled grain of the rare wood. The watch features a black matte galvanic dial with beige Super-LumiNova® numerals and sword-shaped hands that draw the eye inward. Even the crown is gunmetal black shot-blasted steel, a complex and challenging finish to achieve due to its multi-step processes requiring sand- and micro-blasting, chemical and thermal bathing (which also makes it twice as hard as conventional steel cases), and more.

It is powered by the mechanical manual-wind movement (made by Jaeger-LeCoultre for Ralph Lauren) that displays hours, minutes and small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. It features a convex sapphire crystal coated with an antireflective treatment, and a Smoky sapphire crystal caseback secured with six screws for viewing of the precision movement. The finishing touch: an RL logo at 12 o’clock that is inspired by vintage racecars. The 39mm size holds all of the artistic and aesthetic details of the 45mm size, right down to the RL logo at 12:00 that is inspired by the vintage racecars. The watch retails for %15,400.

This year will also witness new versions of the square Art Deco-inspired 867 collection with new sizes, supple bracelets. This line, however, will not be out until October, so we will bring you more about it closer to its appearance in stores.

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