Saddle Up: Ralph Lauren Introduces Two New American Western Models Integrating Piaget Movements
Last month, Ralph Lauren enjoyed an extraordinarily successful Spring 2025 fashion show in the Hamptons at New York Fashion week, attended by the likes of Usher, Naomi Campbell and Anna Wintour. Hosted at the Khalily Stables, an equestrian complex in Bridgehampton, the collection was, as always, infused with references to the brand’s equestrian history. While widely known for its much-loved Polo Ralph Lauren ‘Preppy Bear’-themed jumpers, socks and watches, Ralph Lauren is now expanding its rather macho American Western collection, which also features round and skeleton models as well as pocket watches, with the launch of two new cushion-shaped models with sultry black dials. Both versions house an automatic Swiss movement manufactured by horology house Piaget.
Hand-crafted cushion cases
The two new American Western editions are housed in either an 18-carat rose-gold or antiqued sterling silver case. Their design picks up on distinctive character of vintage rodeo and concho belts that have long influenced Mr. Lauren’s designs. These elements first appeared in his Santa Fe-inspired women’s runway show in the 1980s and continue to be integral to his Double RL accessories today. For this watch model, Ralph Lauren reimagined the organic motifs traditional to Western belts in a sophisticated cushion-shaped silhouette. The 42 mm cases, which have a sturdy 10.60 mm height, were aged and hand-engraved in New York City. Variations in engraving and patina underline the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship, while also making each model quietly unique. Both cases are water-resistant to 50 m.
The spirit of Western style resonates with a rugged elegance and authenticity that people connect with. It embodies a sense of honesty and enduring appeal.
— Ralph Lauren, designer
New black dials
Meanwhile, the new dials now appear in contemporary lacquered and polished black for the first time. The novel colour is accompanied by off-white printed Roman & Arabic numerals and a matching minute track. The time is indicated by Breguet-style hour and minute hands as is often typical of Ralph Lauren timepieces. Thus, a blend of fine Swiss craftsmanship and iconic Ralph Lauren style come together as one.
A Piaget movement for the Ralph Lauren American Western watches
While many might initially dismiss Ralph Lauren as a fashion house producing fashion watches, a closer look reveals quite the contrary. Launched in 2008, Ralph Lauren’s Watches and Fine Jewellery department combines high quality Swiss manufacture movements with Ralph Lauren’s most iconic inspirations – from the equestrian elegance of the Stirrup watches to the Safari and Automotive collections. This brings us to the movement powering the new three-hand watches, which are produced by revered Swiss horology house Piaget while carrying the name ‘calibre RL514’.
The calibre RL514 is known for its precision and reliability, offering a 40-hour power reserve while beating at a frequency of 3 Hz. Ever ones for craftsmanship, the Ralph Lauren watches’ calibre also exhibits traditional Swiss finishing, including vertical Côtes de Genève (Genevan stripes) as well as perlage (circular graining). This is the same movement used throughout the American Western collection for several years, making it an enduringly practical choice for these hardy western-style watches.
Straps, price, and availability of the American Western watches
The two new American Western watches are accompanied by with burnished vachetta straps meticulously hand-tooled in Texas, while the sterling silver or rose-gold pin buckles are hand-engraved and aged in New York City. The black calfskin straps are complimented by brown lining for a rustic ‘Americana’ aesthetic. The American Western collection is distributed through select Ralph Lauren boutiques as well as a number of retailers worldwide. The price of the sterling silver edition is 27,000 euros, while its rose-gold sibling has a price tag of 45,000 euros.
As an author who has spent over twenty years writing about mechanical wristwatches, being tucked away for two hours in a shadowy wine cellar in Cologne’s old town with thirty potential watch clients is truly exciting. It’s not just the rare wines they savoured together – including a Bordeaux from 1988 – but the open…
In the summer of 2023, Zenith presented an updated Pilot collection. Although Zenith has a rich history of pilot's watches (brought back to life in their “ICONS: PILOT” capsule collection that just launched), the manufacture decided to start from scratch. The result is a modern pilot's watch that picks up on the typical features combines…
Chopard is presenting four new additions to the Alpine Eagle collection. With their harmonious colours, the four Chopard Alpine Eagle Summit watches are reminiscent of Alpine Switzerland. The bezels feature a variety of gemstones that evoke the mountain environment with gentle gradients. The four different versions come in yellow, white or rose gold and measure…
At the 2019 watch fair SIHH in Geneva the Florentine brand Panerai added two new models to its collection of their ‘Submersible‘ diving watches. These models have a steel case and are especially attractive to those with a smaller wrist due to their 42 mm diameter case instead of the regular 47 mm. Other than that the…
Lucerne-based manufacture Carl F. Bucherer is introducing a new edition of its COSC-certified Patravi chronograph: the Patravi TravelTec Color Edition Four Seasons. Four brightly coloured versions are available – including a yellow (summer), orange (autumn), green (spring), and or blue (winter) watch. Notably, the Patravi watch has a large case diameter of 46.6 mm, and…
At Watches and Wonders 2022, Zenith is presenting the successful Chronomaster Sport in a rose gold case, plus a Boutique Edition in steel. In parallel, there are three new versions of the Chronomaster Open, which showcase the mechanism inside through an opening on the dial. Zenith Chronomaster Sport in Gold Zenith is launching two versions…
The independent manufacturer Armin Strom is presenting a modern interpretation of the classic dress watch. With the Armin Strom Tribute 1, the company is opposing the trend: last year, due to a lack of occasions, only few dress watches were allowed on the wrist. Nevertheless, Armin Strom is speculating on a turnaround and proves that…
With the unveiling of the second chapter in the M.A.D. series, M.A.D. Editions introduces a timepiece that differs significantly from the M.A.D. 1, both in concept and appearance. This watch, a creation by Eric Giroud — designer and long-standing friend of MB&F — is a heartfelt tribute to the wild, captivating club culture of the…
Roger Dubuis is introducing another Blacklight Edition model, the Excalibur Blacklight Spin-Stone Monobalancier. Although the novelty remains true to its line with Roger Dubuis' signature skeletonised dial, the new Hyper Horology watch is already a true pioneer of the collection thanks to its implementation of a novel synthetic process. The case The case of the…
For more than one year Richard Mille supports the Alfa Romeo Racing Team. Since 2018 the Formula 1 world champion Kimi Räikkönen is also part of this team. In the occasion of the Singapore Grand Prix the brand now introduces the RM 50-04 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Kimi Räikkönen. Richard Mille RM50-04 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Kimi Räikkönen…
Ahead of this year's America's Cup, Panerai is introducing the Submersible Luna Rossa PAM01565 in satin-finished stainless steel. The timepiece pays tribute to the manufacture's role as sponsor of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team, which has been in action since 2019. Prada and Panerai already competed in their first America's Cup in 2021.…
The Astronomo Luminor 1950 Tourbillon Moon Phases Equation of Time GMT (Ref. PAM00920) is the first of Officine Panerai’s creations to have moon phase indication and a new system using polarized crystals to indicate the date. The new made-to-order timepiece which can be personalized, expands the series dedicated to the genius of Galileo Galilei. Panerai L’Astronomo Luminor 1950 Tourbillon Moon…
With its cushion-shaped case, the Monaco from TAG Heuer is an icon among racing-inspired watches. On the occasion of Watches & Wonders 2024, the LVMH brand is presenting two new models with a unique design and split-seconds chronograph. The TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph is available with classic blue accents or in a more intense…
