Last year, during SIHH2009, Ralph Lauren introduced a line of watches that definitely can be considered haute horlogerie. Some of the Ralph Lauren boutiques carried vintage watches (by Rolex, Patek Philippe etc) for quite some years now, but now they have their own impressive line-up.

This year, Ralph Lauren introduces the Slim Classique Collection. So if you think that Ralph Lauren is fashion only, think again.

The Slim Classique is a 42mm diameter timepiece and only 5.35mm thick. Last week, I blogged about the thinness factor over at Vacheron Constantin with their Ultra-Fine watches but it seems that more brands follow this trend this year at SIHH (Salon International de Haute Horlogerie) in Geneva.

This timepiece uses a movement by another king of thin, Piaget. A mechanical handwound movement (caliber RL430) with a thickness of only 2.1mm is ticking inside this RL Slim Classique. Although the caseback of this watch is solid (and therefore ideal for engraving purposes), the movement inside has a Côtes de Geneve and circular graining finish (click here for my article on movement decoration). The guilloché dial and Breguet style hands make this watch a classic and sophisticated looking timepiece and up to standards with the 42mm diameter. This will not look bad at all in the board room!

The watch itself is available in rosé gold, white gold and platinum (Pt950). The 192 diamonds (total amount of 1.11 carat) are optional for this wristwatch. Of course, you’ll wear this timepiece on a black alligator strap!

Below a close-up of the guilloché dial and Breguet style hands.

Prices are unknown at the time of writing this post. My guess is that they won’t come cheap and why should they? Although the brand name might remind most people about their Polo shirts, the used movement, used materials for case, crown and strap and the perfectly finished dial and hands are proof of the fact that they are really a true watch brand as well.

Since years, Ralph Lauren sells vintage timepieces from Rolex, Patek Philippe, Vacheron etc. in their flagship stores. Ralph Lauren probably has a passion for watches, because they now introduced their own line of [serious] wristwatches. The RL collection consist of a Sporting Collection, Classic Slim Collection and The Stirrup Collection. The Stirrup Collection is a bit Hermes-a-like with a nice leather fashionable twist. The Stirrup Collection uses a RL750 movement, based on a Jaeger LeCoultre movement.

Watches from the Sporting Collection are a bit conservative looking, but a banker will probably think this is sporty enough . The Sporting Collection watches have mechanical movements (caliber RL98295) which is based on an IWC movement.

The Classic Slim Collection watches reminded me immediately on Piaget watches. Coincidence or not, they also feature Piaget movements. This Classic Slim watch has a diameter of 42mm and is 5.35mm thick. That’s SLIM! However, does it fit the whopping 42mm for a classic dress watch?

I love the ‘St.Dupont’ hobnail bezel on this Classic Slim watch!

Please visit our partnersite Perpetuelle.com for a full and complete coverage on the SIHH 2009!