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Richemont and Polo Ralph Lauren announce joint venture
March 05, 2007 Two leading players in the global luxury business announced today the formation of The Polo Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewellery Company, S.A.R.L., whose purpose will be to design and create luxury watches and fine jewellery.
In this unique partnership, Polo Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL) and Richemont (SWX: ‘CFR’) will form a joint venture to design, develop, manufacture and distribute the products through Ralph Lauren boutiques as well as through the finest independent jewellery and luxury watch retailers
in the world. The partners will 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 jewellery and luxury watch businesses. It is expected that the products will be launched in the fall of 2008.
Ralph Lauren, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation said, “This business is an important part of our global luxury accessories strategy. I am confident that our unique design sensibility and luxury brand building skills, combined with Richemont’s unique experience on a global basis, creates an opportune way for this partnership to succeed. I believe strongly in this partnership.”
Johann Rupert, Executive Chairman of Richemont, said, “I have long admired Ralph Lauren. His impeccable taste, style and attention to detail are unique. These factors, combined with Richemont’s expertise in jewellery and watches will lead to a fascinating business venture.
Jointly, we aim to create a new luxury business, which I am confident will develop into a world leader. This is an exciting partnership and I very much look forward to working with Ralph.”
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.
For more information, go to
www.investor.polo.com
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 and A. Lange & Söhne; 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 an 18.9 per cent interest in British American Tobacco, one of the world’s leading tobacco groups.
Source: Compagnie Financière Richemont SA
For further information, www.richemont.com
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Richemont and Polo Ralph Lauren decided to join their skills and rich experience in order to form a joint venture, the name of which is Polo Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Company, S.A.R.L. The representatives of the global luxury business decided to unite their efforts in order to develop luxury timepieces and fine jewelry items. 

After the new products are manufactured, they will be distributed through Ralph Lauren boutiques and independent retailers of jewelery items and luxury timepieces. The first jointly developed products are to appear in the fall of the following year.

Richemont and Polo Ralph Lauren will equally share 50 percent of the new joint venture. The partners hope for long-term cooperation. The union will be a completely new experience for both Richemont, which has never cooperated with a luxury fashion designer before, and Polo Ralph Lauren, which, until the present day, has not maintained any links with the precious jewelry and luxury watch businesses. 

Ralph Lauren, holding the post of Polo Ralph Lauren's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer , believes that the company's experience in the area of designing and marketing luxury lifestyle products will blend with Richemont’s experience on a global scale.

Johann Rupert, owning the position of Richemont's Executive Chairman counts on Ralph Lauren's reputation and image based upon distinctive taste, style and attention to detail. He hopes that the newly formed joint venture will benefit from these factors, as well Richemont’s expertise in the area of jewelry and watches.