Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation and Ritmo Mundo have entered into a licensing agreement under which Ritmo Mundo will market and distribute watches for men and women under PVH’s Izod brand in North America. The agreement provides for an initial term of five-years, with a three-year renewal at PVH’s option.

IZOD watch collection (photo by Business Wire)

Designed to capture the sport-inspired lifestyle for which the Izod brand is known, the collection will debut at BaselWorld 2011, the premier watch and jewellery event held annually in Switzerland. It will be distributed at major department stores and specialty stores throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Izod collection will include chronographs and three hand watches with date indications in unique displays and will feature colorful straps in rubber and in leather. The watch collection will have new colors and styles seasonally and is expected to retail for approximately $75 to $200.

Founded in the 1930s, the Iwod brand is licensed to 24 companies in the United States and is also sold in 21 other countries. Izod brand products include apparel and accessories for men, women, and children.

“We are very excited to partner with Ritmo Mundo – a highly respected luxury watchmaker,” said Allen Sirkin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Phillips-Van Heusen. “With Ritmo’s extensive global experience, we believe they are the right partner to launch this new product offering under the Izod brand.”

Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, the world’s largest shirt and neckwear company, markets a variety of goods under its own brands (Van Heusen, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Izod, Arrow, Bass and G.H. Bass & Co.) and its licensed brands, including Geoffrey Beene, Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Michael Michael Kors, Sean John, Chaps, Trump, Joe Joseph Abboud, DKNY and Timberland.