RALPH LAUREN WATCHES
In 2008 Polo Ralph Lauren and Richemont, two leading companies in the global luxury market, announced the formation of the Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Company, S.A.R.L., based in Geneva, Switzerland.
In this unique partnership, Polo Ralph Lauren and Richemont formed a joint venture to design, develop, manufacture and distribute luxury watches and fine jewelry through select Ralph Lauren boutiques and the finest independent jewelry and luxury watch retailers globally. The partners each own 50 percent of the new entity and are committed to this joint venture on a long-term basis.
This is Richemont’s first such joint venture with a luxury fashion designer and it is Polo Ralph Lauren’s first foray into the precious jewelry and luxury watch businesses.
The first collection of timepieces was unveiled in January 2009 at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) watch fair in Geneva, Switzerland.
ABOUT POLO RALPH LAUREN
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For more than 40 years, Polo’s reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets.
The Company’s brand names, which include Polo by Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren, RRL, RLX, Rugby, Blue Label, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, RL Childrenswear, Chaps and Club Monaco, constitute one of the world’s most widely recognized families of consumer brands.
ABOUT RICHEMONT
Richemont owns a portfolio of leading international brands or ‘Maisons’, which are managed independently of one another, recognising their individuality and uniqueness.
The businesses operate in five areas: Jewellery Maisons, being Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels; Specialist Watchmakers, which comprises Jaeger-LeCoultre, Piaget, IWC, Baume & Mercier, Vacheron Constantin, Officine Panerai, A. Lange & Söhne and Roger Dubuis; Writing Instrument Maisons- Montblanc and Montegrappa; Leather and Accessories Maisons, being Alfred Dunhill and Lancel; and Other Businesses, which includes, specifically, Chloé.
In addition to its luxury goods business, Richemont holds a 19.5 per cent interest in British American Tobacco, one of the world’s leading tobacco groups.
