HH Magazine de la Haute Horlogerie - May 2010
Christophe Roulet
"Swatch Group intends ending production and deliveries to third-party firms. The process is in preparation. An entire team has been set up specifically to discuss the matter with Comco [the Swiss competition commission]. We mean business. We want to see under what conditions we can, in the future, cease delivery of movements, regulating organs and other components, such as escapement parts - pallet levers, escape wheels and rollers – and oscillating parts such as balances and springs. Basically, everything our industrial branch produces."
Alternatives exist
These words, from an interview in L'Agefi last December with Nicolas Hayek, Chairman of Swatch Group, who is "weary, angry and annoyed" by the endless stream of proceedings launched by rival brands against his group, could come as a bombshell. The Swiss watch industry relies heavily on the world's biggest watch group for its supplies of parts, and even finished movements. Nicolas Hayek's declaration is like a sword of Damocles hanging over brands that owe much of their legitimacy to others.... Read more
