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Richemont announces an extension to its programme to buy back Richemont ‘A’ units through the market for a further two-year period until Friday, 22 February 2008.

On 25 February 2004, the Group announced a programme to buy back up to 10 million ‘A’ units over a two-year period to 24 February 2006. To date, only 5 million ‘A’ units have been repurchased under the terms of this programme. The Board of Compagnie Financière repurchased under the terms of this programme. The Board of Compagnie Financière Richemont SA has therefore decided to extend the programme for a further two years on the same terms.

The ‘A’ units to be acquired will be held in treasury in connection with awards to executives under the Group's stock option plan. Purchases will be effected on Richemont's behalf by Lehman Brothers, London through both the Virt-x and Johannesburg markets at prevailing market prices. The ‘A’ units will not be cancelled and no second trading line will be introduced as a consequence of the buy-back programme. Regular information as to the buy-back programme will be made available through the SWX Swiss Exchange.

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 is made up of Jaeger-LeCoultre, Piaget, IWC, Baume & Mercier, Vacheron Constantin, Officine Panerai and A. Lange & Söhne; Writing instrument manufacturers - Montblanc and Montegrappa; Leather and accessories Maisons, being Alfred Dunhill and Lancel; and Other businesses, which includes, specifically, Chloé as well as other, smaller Maisons and watch component manufacturing activities for third parties.

In addition to its luxury goods business, Richemont holds an 18.6 per cent interest in the ordinary share capital of British American Tobacco.