The dark and brooding good looks of this new Ralph Lauren Sporting Chronograph Black Ceramic are all down to black matte ceramic zirconia, a virtually scratchproof material which is nonetheless lightweight and comfortable to wear.

It’s more often found in jet engines than on your wrist.

Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback is a Jaeger-Le Coultre manufacture calibre RL750 movement specially made for Ralph Lauren. The movement consists of 261 components and beats at 28,800 vph with a power reserve of 48 hours.

The centre chronograph hand measures elapsed seconds, with a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock. The date is located at 6 o’clock.

The Ralph Lauren Sporting Chronograph Black Ceramic is available in 39mm or you can go large with the 45mm watch. It’s priced at $5500 in the smaller size and $6400 in the larger size.

Of course in the current climate, that’s a lot of money, so if you love the look but haven’t the budget, you might want to try the Emporio Armani Black Ceramic Chronograph AR 1400.

Like Ralph Lauren, the Armani name has become synonymous with quality couture worldwide and is considered one of the most prestigious names in the fashion industry.

At just $528 you don’t get a Jaeger-Le Coultre movement, you get quartz, but this striking chronograph watch is made of black ceramic (although probably not ceramic zirconia) and is 42mm in size. More to the point, with its glossy black sheen and smart Roman numerals, the Armani Black Ceramic AR 1400 appears to be more of a babe magnet; four out of five ladies questioned opted for it over the Ralph Lauren Sporting Chronograph.