Press release, April 2002 Wenger Makes a New Appearance at the Basel 2002 World Watch and Jewelry Show Wenger is introducing itself with a new stand at this year's Basel 2002 World Watch and Jewelry Fair. This outward adjustment reflects the brand's new strategy. With its latest collection, Wenger is breaking out of the niche it has occupied to date. In addition to the sports watches and well-known military-design watches, Wenger also plans to offer its own line of ladies' watches in the future. Wenger Watch S.A., founded in Biel in 1997, is a subsidiary of the long respected knife manufacturer Wenger S.A. in DelŽmont. The world-famous Swiss pocket-knives have been manufactured in the canton of Jura for more than 100 years. Their excellence has contributed substantially to the Swiss reputation for quality around the world. Since Wenger Watch S.A. was founded, its watches have found satisfied customers around the globe and the brand has won a clear position in the sports and military style watch segment. Until now the collections have mainly comprised men's watches, from the basic to the top models, meeting the most demanding requirements. Building on this experience, Wenger now plans to target a wider audience with its watches. Wenger now offers watches for fashion-conscious ladies and gentlemen in the quality which has proven its worth. The new models stand out for their versatility, reliability and an optimal price-quality ratio combined with an elegant design. Three new watch lines developed especially for ladies and three additional watch families for men will augment the Wenger collection starting in May. All new models will be shown for the first time to the public at the World Watch and Jewelry Show. For further information, please contact Mr. Peter Hug, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Wenger Watch S.A., Biel/Bienne, tel. +41 (0)32 344 04 60. Basel stand: Hall 1.1, D73, tel. +41 (0)61/699 45 13 Wenger Lady Commando™ Chronograph The most successful of Wenger Watch S.A.'s chronographs, the Wenger Commando™, is being extended by five ladies' models. The watch combines an original ladies' design with a passion for sports and all the functions of a top stop watch. The case size has been reduced to make it look good on a slender wrist. In selecting the colors, designing the dial and choosing the materials for the leather straps Wenger took special account of feminine wishes and expectations. The watch is equipped with a 22-jewel ETA Swiss quartz movement and offers the following chronograph functions in addition to the normal time and date display: 30-minute, 60-second and 1/10 second counter. The watch is water-resistant to 100m (330ft.) and has a debosed, stainless steel screw-on case back. The domed, hard-mineral crystal and illuminated hands and luminescent markers guarantee good readability even in the dark. Other winning attributes are the size of the stainless steel case, the leather straps in different colors and materials and the exceedingly attractive price. The watch will be available around the world, with a white or blue dial, a metal strap or with a black, red or blue leather strap. The Swiss retail price is CHF 420.00. Wenger Compass Watch Although Wenger is opening up new dimensions, it will remain active and innovative in its original sports and military segment. This is particularly evident in the new Wenger Compass watch. At first glance it appears to be a sporty watch for everyday use, which wins people over thanks to its simple design and robustness. One has to look closer to find a useful additional function: By turning a crown designed especially for this watch, a safety clasp is unlocked. The watch can now be opened and the compass seen. Under the watch a fully functional, mechanical compass is fitted in its own case. The Wenger Compass Watch was designed so that the compass can be placed flat on a map. Thanks to the compass' glass back, the map can be turned toward the exact north. The compass swivels in its case, which has four lines embossed in it, thus making it easy to determine the required direction. The leather strap serves to lengthen this axle. Like all Wenger watches, this model does not compromise quality. The Wenger Compass Watch is equipped with an ETA Swiss quartz movement. Water-resistant to 100m (330ft.). Illuminated hands and easy-to-read numerals ensure nighttime visibility of the watch as well as of the compass. The hard-mineral crystal and stainless steel case guarantee that the watch will retain its beautiful luster for a very long time. This watch is available in two models, one with a black leather strap and a black dial and one with a white dial and brown leather strap. Available from May onward. The Swiss retail price is CHF 290.00. Wenger Bella™ Wenger Bella™ was created with the aim of offering customers beautiful ladies' watches. The greatest attention was paid to the design and choice of materials in developing this watch. The new case fashioned especially for this ladies' watch combines the design and function requirements of today's women. Naturally, this Wenger model also offers the by now classic Wenger quality features: ETA Swiss quartz movement, polished stainless-steel case and hard-mineral crystal. Two of the models have an embossed, roman time display on the bezel. Wenger Bella™ comes with a white or black dial and is also available with a white dial with markers, black or gray leather strap or a red, marmored leather strap. In some models the harmony of colors and materials is additionally underscored by the Wenger logo in a cool, metallic look. This watch will be available around the world from May onward. The Swiss retail price is from CHF 220.00. Wenger Escort™ Rectangle A classic-look is this new Wenger chronograph's trump card. The Wenger Escort™ Rectangle is sporty and restrained in its design and offers top performance. This chronograph with a curved case in Swiss made quality is available with a black leader strap or a stainless steel bracelet. Both the case and bracelet are made of the finest stainless steel. The watch has an ETA Swiss quartz, 22-jewel, 30-minute, 60-second, 1/10 second, date display movement. Water-resistant to 100m (330ft.). This Wenger Escort™ Rectangle chronograph will be available around the world starting in May, in Switzerland from CHF 450.00 up. Wenger Epoch™ In designing the Epoch™ watch line, Wenger has drawn inspiration from the 1950s. This sporty watch with an oval case and curved dial makes a conscious play on a fashionable retro look. Wenger offers a model with three hands with a calendar function and a chronograph model. Both models come with an ETA Swiss quartz movement. The watches are available with a black leather strap of a stainless steel bracelet. The fine design of the black-and-white or dark blue dials perfectly underscores the value of this new Wenger line. The watches are equipped with hard-mineral crystal. Water-resistant to 100m (330 ft.). Both the case and the bracelet are made of stainless steel. This watch will be available around the world from May onward, from CHF 195.00 in Switzerland. For further information, please contact Mr. Peter Hug, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Wenger Watch S.A., Biel/Bienne, Switzerland Phone +41(0)32 344 04 60, [email protected]