Geneva, Switzerland – December 8, 2008 – Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Co., a company jointly owned by Richemont and Polo Ralph Lauren, announces the appointment of Guy Chatillon as Chief Executive Officer, effective  today.

Mr. Chatillon joins the Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Co. from Piaget, where for the past 18 years he has held numerous management positions, including most recently the role of International Director.  Contributing enthusiasm, passion and rigor, Mr. Chatillon  was instrumental in developing Piaget’s successful expansion. As CEO for Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Co., Guy Chatillon is entrusted with developing this new brand into a key player in the fine watch and jewelry market.  His strong expertise and knowledge of the industry will be a major asset in his new position.

“We are happy to welcome Guy Chatillon to the Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Co. His affinity for the luxury market coupled with his extensive experience in the fine watchmaking and jewelry industry make him uniquely qualified to lead the launch of our Ralph Lauren watch line,” said Ralph Lauren, Chief Executive Officer of Polo Ralph Lauren.

“Guy's expertise in the watch and jewelry business will be a major asset in his new position as CEO of this important joint venture between Richemont and Polo Ralph Lauren. Guy has contributed significantly to Piaget’s commercial and international development; he is ideally qualified to take the joint venture on to the next stage in its development.” said Johann Rupert, Executive Chairman of Richemont. 

Callum Barton, who assumed the interim CEO role for the business’ inception, will continue to play a strategic role in his capacity as Chairman of the Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelry Co.

Last year, Polo Ralph Lauren and Richemont, two leading companies in the global luxury market, announced the formation of the Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Co., S.A.R.L., based in Geneva, Switzerland. In this unique partnership, the two companies 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 Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Co. will unveil its first collection of timepieces 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.

Source: Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelry Co.