Trend alert - the new Ralph Lauren watch is a must-have timepiece

Looking for a luxury piece of your own this year? Then it’s time to discover the RL867, Ralph Lauren's new watch, a simple and classic timepiece that features a square, Art Deco-inspired case and a dial with concentric indexes using both Arabic and Roman numerals.

Why? Let us enlighten you a little bit. For starters, the use of both Arabic and Roman numerals, known as a "California" dial, is a signature of the brand and adds a decorative touch. The off-white lacquered background and black, Breguet-style hands complete the timeless design. What is more, the RL867 watch comes in a choice of 18-karat gold or sterling silver case, which is an uncommon material for luxury watches. The movement is powered by a manual wound Swiss mechanical caliber, the RL430, made by Piaget exclusively for Ralph Lauren. It has a 40-hour power reserve.

This stupendous watch takes inspiration from Ralph Lauren's iconic New York men's flagship store, located at 867 Madison Avenue. The building, a mansion built in 1898 in the French Renaissance revival style, was originally the residence of Gertrude Rhinelander Waldo but was later converted into a series of retail shops and apartments. The building was acquired by Ralph Lauren and restored, opening as the flagship store in 1986. Ralph Lauren's timeless style is perfectly represented in the luxurious and sophisticated setting of this historic building, which now also serves as the home for the brand's latest timepieces.

Not sure what to pick?

The RL867 collection features four models, all with a black alligator leather strap:

• A 28mm sterling silver model priced at $8,250

• A 28mm 18-karat gold model priced at $15,500

• A 32mm sterling silver model priced at $8,350

• A 32mm 18-karat gold model priced at $17,000.

Ralph Lauren, known today for his diverse men's fashion offerings, began his career selling ties in 1967. After completing his military service and taking business classes, he launched his first tie collection. He built his brand on a vision and a dream with no compromise, and ties continue to be a significant part of the Ralph Lauren brand, as seen in the Polo watch strap collection. In the 2000s, Ralph Lauren developed a passion for watches and began to venture into the world of watchmaking.

How did it all start?

The first Ralph Lauren watches: in 2004, Ralph Lauren approached Johann Rupert, the Chairman of Richemont, to collaborate on creating watches that embodied his unique style. In 2009, Ralph Lauren debuted their first watches at the SIHH watch show in Geneva, Switzerland. The collection included three main lines, one specifically for women, the Stirrup Collection, and two for men, the Slim Classique and Sporting Collection. The brand continued its partnership with Richemont Group until the end of their contract in 2018. Today, Ralph Lauren watches are designed and manufactured in-house, but they continue to collaborate on various projects with Richemont.

But if you’re more into cars, you can explore other iconic collections from the star brand, such as the Automotive Collection. This Ralph Lauren collection takes inspiration from the designer's passion for classic cars, particularly his 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe, which is considered one of the rarest cars in the world. The bezel and dial are designed to reflect the wooden dashboard of the Bugatti. The Swiss-made skeleton movement is encased in a sleek black stainless steel case, available in 39mm or 45mm.