Maurice Lacroix USA Ends IRL Relationship

ENCINO, Calif., Feb. 3, 2003; Maurice Lacroix Swiss Watches, the Official Watch of the Indy 500; Brickyard 400; Indy Racing League and an Officially Licensed Product of Indy Motor Sports since 2001, has decided not to renew its sponsorship relationship with the Indy Racing League. This decision was announced to retailers and the general public today by Stuart Sklar, President, Maurice Lacroix North America. Officials at the Indy Racing League were notified at the end of the contract, which expired 12/31/03. "The Indy Racing League has been an exciting partner for Maurice Lacroix in the United States. At this time, however, it is important for our company to focus its brand marketing in areas that has intrinsic benefits to our retailers and our luxury consumer," stated Sklar. "We were fortunate to lay the groundwork for creating an "Official Watch" niche for the Indy Racing League, and believe that we have paved the way for our friends at Tag Heuer to assume our position in this sponsorship platform," added Sklar.

Sponsorship of the rapidly expanding, open-wheel Indy Racing League created the platform for production of an extraordinary collection of rare timepieces including the exciting Limited Edition Indy 500 Flyback Annuaire watches available in Stainless Steel and in all 18k Rose Gold; and the Special Edition Indy 500 Miros Rattrapante Flyback Chronographs available in Stainless Steel. Each of these important models has been reviewed and now regarded as some of the finest timepieces ever created for the auto racing collectible marketplace.

Maurice Lacroix USA will continue to grow its foothold in the luxury consumer marketplace with marketing platforms on the national, regional and local levels that will create synergy between its guild jewelers and its discriminate consumer. Announcements about important new marketing investments will be forthcoming at the Basel Fair 2004, the world's largest watch fair, set for April 15-22, 2004 in Basel, Switzerland.

Maurice Lacroix Swiss Watches continues to enjoy tremendous growth as an independently-owned manufacturer and distributor of some of the most innovative and exceptional timepieces in its category. Maurice Lacroix timepieces are sold in only the finest independent and chain retailers in the United States, and in over 45 countries worldwide. For more information on Maurice Lacroix, visit www.mauricelacroix.com .