Swatch slashes movement sales to rivals....consolidations??
Swatch slashes movement sales to rivals....consolidations??
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RDMcG

Original Poster:

20,911 posts

238 months

Saturday 26th October 2013
quotequote all
http://stream.wsj.com/story/latest-headlines/SS-2-...

Swatch group is the dominant supplier of mechanical movements, and up to now has been required by law to do so. Many smaller manufacturers depends on them. I think this may have a big impact............

Ray Luxury-Yacht

8,918 posts

247 months

Saturday 26th October 2013
quotequote all
Linky no worky.

RDMcG

Original Poster:

20,911 posts

238 months

yeti

10,704 posts

306 months

Saturday 26th October 2013
quotequote all
Those small manufacturers had very little right to depend on ETA movements, they've been having it easy for too long. They have had years of advance warning... Why should Swatch/ETA keep their rivals in business, it doesn't happen in any other industries?

This has meant that many of the brands we know have developed in-house capabilities (IWC/Panerai/TAG/Breitling) which leads to innovation which leads to better products.

Pros and cons (such as parts for repairs) but as far as I'm aware, long term the pros will outweigh the cons. Not sure how the repairs will go for ETA movements though.

RDMcG

Original Poster:

20,911 posts

238 months

Saturday 26th October 2013
quotequote all
Apparently Swatch has 60% of the market for third party movements.

yeti

10,704 posts

306 months

Saturday 26th October 2013
quotequote all
RDMcG said:
Apparently Swatch has 60% of the market for third party movements.
No doubt.

Sellita and the like will up production as will the Japanese movement makers like Miyota yes

OR they can develop in-house capability or do a deal with someone else who does. But the easy rides are over.

I do feel for the 'micro-brands', the Steinharts, the Timefactors and so on who will struggle or have no way of making in-house movements. But there are always other options.