Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy Hilfiger was founded in 1985 in New York City by American fashion designer Thomas Jacob Hilfiger, with backing from Mohan Murjani. The brand debuted with a high-profile marketing campaign including a famous Times Square billboard. After leaving Murjani International in 1989, the company received backing from Silas Chou and went public in 1992. The brand became known for its preppy American style and gained significant popularity in the 1990s through connections with hip-hop culture and music industry sponsorships. In 2006, private equity firm Apax Partners acquired the company for $1.6 billion. In 2010, PVH Corp. (Phillips-Van Heusen) purchased the brand for $3 billion. Tommy Hilfiger watches are manufactured under license by Movado Group, Inc., a major watch company that also produces licensed timepieces for Coach, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, and Calvin Klein. The watch line reflects the brand's casual, sporty-preppy aesthetic at accessible price points.