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THE CROCODILE

The LACOSTE legend began in Boston in 1923, when René Lacoste, a tennis

superstar of the 1920’s, made a wager with his Davis Cup French team captain that

if he won the game, the captain would buy him an alligator suitcase. An American

journalist remembered this and coined Lacoste's nickname, writing: “He didn’t win

the bag, but he fought like an alligator”. Back home, alligator became crocodile, and

soon René Lacoste’s tennis blazers were sporting an embroidered crocodile.

World number one in 1926-27, “The Crocodile” won seven Grand Slam titles, as well

as two Davis Cups with his teammates, “The Musketeers”.

A LIFESTYLE BRAND

In 1933, René Lacoste decided to begin manufacturing the perfect shirt for tennis

that he had designed earlier to beat the heat of the American summers. This original

polo shirt, called the 12.12, revolutionized men’s sportswear. It featured a crocodile

on the left breast - the first time a logo was used on the outside of a shirt.

Today, as the brand celebrates its 75th Anniversary, René Lacoste’s legacy is the

“world of LACOSTE”: a range of clothing and fashion accessories designed with the

same quality, comfort and relaxed elegance on which LACOSTE built its name and

which constitute its uniqueness.

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LACOSTE WATCHES

Renowned for quality and innovation, LACOSTE has an unrivaled heritage in the

sports fashion market.

The Spring/Summer 2008 watch collection is inspired by the sporting heritage of the

LACOSTE brand, especially its authentic tennis, yachting and golf roots. The

sophisticated Mainsail, for example, with its striped grosgrain band, recalls the

relaxed elegance of the brand, while the fashion-forward Pop Time and Pop Charm

represent LACOSTE’s bold use of colour and strong, fresh graphics. Featuring

premium quality materials with unique styling and the crocodile logo which has

evolved into one of the most recognized trademarks throughout the world, the watch

collection is developed with meticulous attention to quality, function and detail. All are

crafted of solid stainless steel with precise quartz movements and scratch-resistant

mineral crystals. They are water resistant and come backed by the manufacturer’s

two-year international warranty.

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www.lacoste.com