Ralph Lauren Watches

[chuckseabreeze]

Sorry if this is a repost.

The intro to Polo.com says that they are coming out with a line of wristwatches.

Why? This makes my head hurt just a little.

 

[RFX45]

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...=2578860&rid=0

Richemont and Polo Ralph Lauren Announce Joint Venture

Two of the largest 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."

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, Chloe and Lancel. 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.

 

[sf_esq]

Interesting, sounds like these may actually be quality timepieces. The article says itroduced in the Fall of 2008, I guess they're behind schedule.

 

[RFX45]

 

[RFX45]

Jan. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelry Co. unveiled its first Swiss timepiece collection today in Geneva, seeking to win part of a shrinking market with designs inspired by its U.S. parent company's equestrian image.

The venture between New York-based Polo Ralph Lauren Co. and Switzerland's Cie. Financiere Richemont SA will start to sell three collections, including the Ralph Lauren Stirrup line, in April, the company said today at a press conference. Richemont, the second-largest luxury company, today said market conditions are the toughest in its 20 years of existence.

The timepieces will sell at prices between 10,000 Swiss francs ($8,800) and 30,000 francs. The Swiss watch industry may be facing its biggest drop in exports since the 1970s, according to a forecast by John Guy, an analyst at MF Global Securities. Exports may drop more than 15 percent this year, he estimates.

"We are here to last, and we are here for the long term," Ralph Lauren Watch Chief Executive Guy Chatillon said at a press conference.

The Ralph Lauren collections have the nation's "Swiss Made" certification as the movements, or motors of the watches, are made by Richemont's IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Piaget brands. They are available in white gold, rose gold, platinum and stainless steel. Many are decorated with diamonds. The Stirrup watch has Roman numerals and black and white minute markers that look like a railroad framing the stirrup-shaped watch face.

"It's probably the worst moment of the last two decades to launch or relaunch a watch brand," said Patrik Schwendimann, an analyst at Zuercher Kantonalbank.

The platinum Stirrup watch is a 67-piece limited edition set and comes with a certificate signed by Ralph Lauren. Polo Ralph Lauren and Richemont formed the venture in 2007.

 

[Big A]

Originally Posted by RFX45

"It's probably the worst moment of the last two decades to launch or relaunch a watch brand," said Patrik Schwendimann, an analyst at Zuercher Kantonalbank.


No kidding . . . . odd direction for RL

 

[Tarmac]

It's just hard to believe that someone would spend $24000 on a watch which clearly says "Ralph Lauren" on it. Shoes, suits, you can't see that marking, and this is the only way I can wear these items.

 

[robin]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

It's just hard to believe that someone would spend $24000 on a watch which clearly says "Ralph Lauren" on it.
Why does no one have a problem with wearing watches that clearly say "IWC" or "Cartier" then?

Plus, it could have been worse. It could have been a pony.

 

[AnGeLiCbOrIs]

Originally Posted by robin

Why does no one have a problem with wearing watches that clearly say "IWC" or "Cartier" then?

Plus, it could have been worse. It could have been a pony.

IWC is a well known watch company.

 

[LookSharp]

Well, looks like they've gone for more quality than those chintzy D&G or Armani badge-engineered products but with so many quality Swiss brands to choose from already there doesn't seem any point at all.

 

[emmanuel]

I think it will take some getting used to. How did Louis Vuitton launch a successful watch business?

 

[KBW]

new money will buy these

 

[apropos]

Originally Posted by emmanuel

I think it will take some getting used to. How did Louis Vuitton launch a successful watch business?
By expanding into China. And Russia. You know - those bastions of good taste and deliberate restraint.

 

[Casey]

Although I'm not necessarily fond of the stirrup shape, I think the round faces are easy to look at. And considering the fact that Ralph Lauren is a luxury goods brand, I think it makes sense that they would at one point venture into watchmaking (although, again, they had bad timing.) Although a $10,000 Ralph Lauren watch may not be up everyone's alley, I'm positive that there is a market for those who think of RL as a lifestyle brand and want to be a part of it. Keep in mind that this may be the same person who has a Louis Vuitton poker set and a Ralph Lauren backgammon set.

 

[emmanuel]

Originally Posted by apropos

By expanding into China. And Russia. You know - those bastions of good taste and deliberate restraint.