High-end brands will be searching for alternative suppliers now that Swatch Group has decided to lower the watch part supplies to rival watchmakers. For decades Swatch has served as one of the main suppliers, providing as much as 80% of Swiss movements and their Nivarox arm, which dominated the market for oscillating parts and escapement (the heart of a watch’s mechanism).
Many of the brands at the Geneva watch fair said they are confident they would survive the groups decision, while others implied there would be tough times ahead. Some of the small exclusive brands will have no problem finding alternative suppliers because of the small quantities and high retail prices, others would have to make large investments and hire more employees to compensate for the shortage of parts.
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