Ralph Lauren’s latest tourbillon timepiece is extremely complex. We are not talking about the complexity of its mechanical structure here but the design language and cultural connotation.

The renowned fashion designer and car collector once said, “I’ve always been inspired by automotive design—the materials, the lines, but also the power and functionality. Cars are like art—moving art—an accomplishment in mechanics and precision.” When you notice the bezel is shaped like a steering wheel and in dark amboyna burl wood that is usually found inside the cabin of a luxury sedan, it’s obvious that the watch is designed by someone in the know. In fact, the RL Automotive collection is inspired by a 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe—one of the classics in Ralph Lauren’s enormous car collection.

The key feature of the Ralph Lauren RL Automotive Tourbillon is definitely the sophisticated and complex tourbillion, in which the escapement is housed in a rotating cage to counteract the effect of gravity, thereby providing more accurate timekeeping. Another new addition to the collection is the even more complex RL Automotive Double Tourbillon. Housed in the same 45 mm case, it features a more sophisticated binary tourbillon and is probably the most complex timepiece in the Automotive collection. Both watches demonstrate greatly the best of Swiss watchmaking craftsmanship as well as Ralph Lauren’s love of fine watchmaking and cars.