That the Swiss produce today watches is remarkable.
They haven’t to do this anymore the fact that there is a lot of other work, jobs to do for a living.
I think it is passion, making beautiful products that make them happy give a meaning to their lives.
The British watch industry was ones the leader you wrote.
They produce for the profit, to get a loaf of bread on the table for the hungry children. When better ways of getting money arrives, they change their job. As competitors in other countries arrives, they suffer.
The Swiss went on when they suffer of hard times.
Nobody out of Switzerland reach out a helping hand.
Others laugh and simply said, free trade and competition is the way to let the best win, and soon everybody wear a cheap plastic unsustainable Japanese watch.
After awhile many saw that the Rolex of mother still run after been put 20 years in a drawer, a guy found a Universal Geneva watch at a flee market and after a watch maker gave a service to the watch the peace looks and works as new.
This is the reason why for almost two centuries i know where the best time peaces comes from.