The Watches of Ralph Lauren | The Watch Club by SwissWatchExpo

Ralph Lauren has influenced American fashion the way no other designer ever has. Best known for the colorful collared shirts and knit wear, his name has been synonymous with classic dressing and the preppy American look.

Lauren counts many influences – such as vintage cars, the Art Deco era, equestrian sports – all of which he successfully translated into an aesthetic that’s truly his own. If there is one thing that defines his style language, it’s sophistication. And it spills over even to his personal choice of timepieces.

Lauren has said that he does not mind what the watch will be worth in a few years, or if it is collectible; he simply buys what he likes, and what he deems exudes elegance.

Here, we talk about the watches in his personal collection, and how you can cop the look:

CARTIER TANK CINTREÉ

Perhaps the most famous piece in his collection is this Cartier Tank Cintrée, because of its history with legendary artist Andy Warhol. At an auction for Warhol’s watches, he found a cuff and thought it would look amazing with his 1930’s Tank Cintrée. He had the cuff sized to his wrist at Cartier, and it remains one if his favorite watches.

The Tank Cintree is characterized by a dramatically elongated and bent case. It’s only currently produced in a skeleton version, but the Tank Americaine (pictured) is a nice alternative.

pictured: Cartier Tank Americaine 18K Yellow Gold Automatic Mens Watch

CARTIER TANK CLASSIC PARIS

Lauren has about six Cartier pieces in his collection, all of them mid-century pieces. He has said that he loved the size and curve of the watches, which are so classically elegant, and looked as if they were made to be worn with fine clothes. He was greatly influenced by early 20^th century glamour, citing Cary Grant and Fred Astaire as his greatest style heroes.

Among his Tank Cintree watches, he has Tank Classic (pictured) pieces as well.

pictured: Cartier Tank Classic Paris 18k White Gold Ultra Thin Mechanical Watch

Ralph Lauren (right) with photographer Arnaldo Anaya Lucca

PANERAI LUMINOR

While he liked the glamour and panache of the Cartier Tank, he also loved the imposing, masculine style of Panerai watches. He likes collecting watches for particular moments in his life, and his Panerai watches, purposeful and functional as they are, always accompanied him in his travels.

In this photo he is shown with his 1954 47MM Vintage Panerai (note the vintage Land Rover at the back!). The Panerai Luminor Marina 44MM evokes the same utilitarian feel.

pictured: Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Titanium 44mm Watch

ROLEX GMT MASTER II PEPSI BEZEL

Today, the designer is definitely a bigger fan of Cartier and Panerai, but was a fan of Rolex, and has been photographed wearing a Rolex Pepsi GMT Master on several occasions. He shared the same penchant for Rolex sport watches with his wife Ricky, and brother Jerry.

His Pepsi GMT also made an appearance in several Polo collection, including this one with Tyson Beckford.

pictured: Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi Bezel Steel Automatic Mens Watch

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