Sports Watch Features Aramid Composite Casing
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. - Oakley, Inc. (NYSE:OO) today announced the release of D1(TM), its first digital sports watch.
The timepiece features an expanded memory core, a proprietary software engine and further innovations that were developed specifically for the training requirements of sports professionals.
"Working with a select group of the world's greatest athletes, we started from scratch and focused on the key elements that serve professional training regimen," said Oakley President Colin Baden. "After finding the necessary core functions that pros really need, we applied our technology. The outcome is a precision instrument that enhances the work-out experience: a training tool wrapped in art."
Oakley's integrated software package allows the device to store 100 lap times and log 50 separate runs. Lap numbers, lap times, split times and fastest runs are digitally encoded in extended buffers of random access memory. Additionally, the watch features an auto-calendar which reaches the year 2050, three programmable alarms, a multi-mode countdown timer and the ability to display two separate time zones simultaneously.
Instead of relying on brittle plastics or heavy, cumbersome metals, Oakley engineered D1's casing with a matrix of aramid fiber and resin. The same fiber used in bulletproof vests, it allows for increased durability and reduced weight while safeguarding the instrument against the pressure of 100-meter water submergence. A scratch resistant crystal with anti-reflective coating protects an intuitive graphic display. Developed specifically for this device, a new high-contrast graphic combines with electroluminescent lighting technology to ensure the display is easily readable both day and night. For performance comfort, the chassis is backed with Oakley Unobtainium(R) and fitted with a strap of the same durable synthetic.
Oakley's D1 digital sports watch is available in five band/dial color combinations: Blue/White, Black/Black, Black/Yellow, Black/Red and Black/Gray. It has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$180.
About Oakley, Inc.
Oakley: a world brand, driven to ignite the imagination through the fusion of art and science. Building on its legacy of innovative, market-leading, premium sunglasses, the company also offers an expanding line of premium performance footwear, apparel, accessories, watches and prescription eyewear to consumers in more than 70 countries. Trailing-12-month revenues through June 30, 2000 totaled $300.2 million and generated net income of $40.0 million -- a 13 percent net margin, excluding a one-time, after-tax restructuring charge of $8.2 million recorded during the fourth quarter of 1999. Oakley, Inc. press releases, SEC filings and the company's Annual Report are available at no charge through the company's Web site at www.oakley.com.
Safe Harbor Disclaimer
This press release contains certain statements of a forward-looking nature. Such statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The accuracy of such statements may be impacted by a number of business risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated, including: risks related to the company's ability to identify qualified manufacturing partners; the ability to coordinate product development and production processes with those partners; the ability of those manufacturing partners to increase production volumes in a timely fashion in response to increasing demand and enable the company to achieve timely delivery of finished goods to its retail customers, the dependence on eyewear sales to Sunglass Hut; unanticipated changes in general market conditions or other factors, which may result in cancellations of advance orders or a reduction in the rate of reorders placed by retailers; risks that the net realizable value of assets disposed of in the footwear restructuring may differ from estimates used; the ability to continue to develop and produce innovative new products and introduce them in a timely manner; the acceptance in the marketplace of the company's new products; the ability to source raw materials and finished products at favorable prices to the company; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; and other risks outlined in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three-month periods ending March 31, 2000 and June 30, 2000. The company undertakes no obligation to update this forward-looking information.
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Contact: Oakley, Inc. Lance Allega, 949/951-0991 lancea@oakley.com