New Richemont & Polo Ralph Lauren Luxury Watch Collection

Designer Ralph Lauren has entered the watch arena, with three eponymous collections, including the "Sporting Collection," distinguished by functional screws and Roman numerals--rarely seen on sports watches. the "Sporting Collection," designed to combine both performance and style, consists of three pieces, including the "Chronograph" and the "World Time," both featuring Jaeger Le-Coultre movements. The third piece, the "Classic," boasts a large IWC movement.

Designer Ralph Lauren's recently announced collaboration with the Richemont Group, by contrast, is a bold entry at the high end, consisting so far of three watch collections: the Ralph Lauren Stirrup Collection, the Ralph Lauren Slim Classique Collection, and the Ralph Lauren Sporting Collection.Guy Chatillon, chief executive officer of the newly formed Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Co., says the company is "a baby born on January 19, 2009" that will grow slowly over the next few years.

Ralph Lauren, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation said, “I have waited a long time to create and introduce timepieces that I feel exemplify the ultimate in luxury and quality. Richemont shares that understanding and has the global reputation and experience to fulfill these shared goals. I have the highest confidence that this unique partnership will be tremendously successful and an important part of our global luxury accessories strategy.”

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 jewelry and watches has led 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 am very happy to work with Ralph Lauren on this project. I am very enthusiastic about the timepieces we will be unveiling at SIHH 2009.”

These watch are the offspring of a brand new company "Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewerly Company", formed in September 2008, and based in Geneva Switzerland. This company is the partnership between two leading companies, Polo Ralph Lauren and Richemont Group. This is Richemont's first such venture with a luxury fashion designer and its Polo Ralph Lauren first venture into the luxury watch and jewelry business.

Home to brands such as Panerai, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, and Jaeger-LeCoultre, you can bet that Ralph Lauren's new luxury watch line is in good hands with its partner, Richemont. Launched on April 2009, the line is everything you would expect a Ralph Lauren watch to be: Refined, elegant, and instantly classic.