Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Ralph Lauren Introduces a New 42mm Case Size into its Rugged Safari Collection
Sitting between the 45 and 39mm Safari models, RL introduces three new 42mm adventure-prepped Safari models.
American designer Ralph Lauren has forged an emporium on his vision of laid-back sophistication carefully choreographed in settings designed to evoke a certain lifestyle. Ralph Lauren’s preppie collegiate apparel incarnated by the Polo shirt of 1971, for instance, was equated with the game of polo, and his Safari apparel collection of 1984 harnessed the designer’s vision of the “romance of safari… an adventure, a world of refinement set against a rugged and powerful landscape.” Translating the mood of his Safari apparel line to men’s watches, the first Safari models appeared in 2013 in gunmetal steel cases in 39 and 45mm diameters and chronometer-certified movements. The latest Safari returns in 2024 in a new 42mm case with three dial options powered by an automatic Sellita COSC-certified chronometer movement.
Now a colossal lifestyle emporium offering everything from tableware to pinstripe tailored suits, Ralph Lauren incorporated watches into the mix in 2008. Grouped thematically, the Stirrup and Polo collections play with the brand’s love of all things equestrian; the Automotive collection takes design cues from Ralph Lauren’s fabulous vintage car collection, including his 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC; the 867 Collection taps into his love for Art Deco design, and the Vintage 67 model’s name speaks on its own. While the designs are American, all the mechanical models are powered by Swiss movements.
Sitting alongside the existing 39 and 45mm Safari models, three new rugged-looking models in 42mm blackened steel cases join the collection. The 11.5mm thick steel case is blackened and shot-blasted to produce a slightly vintage gunmetal look. Like earlier editions, the bezel and caseback are secured by six screws and the crown is screwed to ensure the 100m water-resistance. The screw motif extends to the sides of the lugs giving the watch a solid tool-like vibe.
As outdoor adventure watches, the khaki, black and camo dials are snailed to produce a matte, non-reflecting surface. A distinctive feature of the Safari collection is the oversized, luminescent Arabic numerals, with extra-large numerals at 6 and 12 o’clock. Depending on the dial colour, the Arabic numerals are painted with beige or black Super-LumiNova. The sword-shaped hour and minute hands follow suit, while the baton central seconds hand is picked out in bright orange varnish on all three.
The movement powering the new 42mm Safari models is the RL300-1 automatic (Sellita SW300-1 base) with a 4Hz frequency, a power reserve of roughly 50 hours and COSC chronometer certification.
Fitted with an interchangeable strap system, the new 42mm Safari watches can be paired with three strap/bracelet choices – a dark brown aged Bund calfskin strap, an olive green weathered canvas strap, or a black aged steel 3-link bracelet. The models fitted with calfskin or canvas straps retail for EUR 3,600 or USD 3,500, and the Safari on a bracelet increases slightly in price to EUR 4,050 or USD 3,900. The new 42mm Safari watches are available now.
For more information, please visit ralphlauren.com.
1 response
Surprised to hear that RL watches is still going, I thought they had stopped a few years back! Always like the safari for its case finish, no date and no nonsense approach, they usually are great bargains second hand, including the precious metal ones.