Whirling
276
Eta really has that much advantage?
Magnus,
You certainly know much more about the topic than I do, so I believe you when you say that Eta can produce quality at a price others can't match. Nonetheless, I find it remarkable that a company such as Sellita wouldn't be more competitive.
Also, what percentage of the cost of a watch is the movement, when that movement is an Eta 2824-2, for example? I'm not sure how many watches the world needs where the bulk of the price is a standard-grade 2824. For those USD 5,000 watches with higher grade (hopefully) 2824s, I'd like to think the margins were large enough for the companies to locate alternatives...perhaps I'm naive?
Perhaps Seagull could open a factory in Switzerland. With Swiss labor, I wonder what Seagull would charge for their 2824 clone? I've read technical reviews of it that say it really is comparable to lower grade Eta 2824s. Plus, Switzerland has a lot of immigrants and asylum seekers who could use the work, yes? I am, of course, kind of joking... 
This is just my opinion, but I would like to see all of Swiss horologie move up-market...Qualite Fleurier or Geneva Seal level for all "Swiss Made," or, at the least, COSC (though I realize this doesn't imply craftsmanship beyond timekeeping ability).
Regards,
Jon
Breaking news: Swatch Group and Swiss Competition Commission agree on movement deliveries!
The Swatch Group still holds a market-dominating position* for mechanical movements (70% market share) and key movement components (90% market share), respectively, with its daughter companies ETA and Nivarox being the main players. In 2009 Swatch Group a...
Any move that reduces ...
... dependence on one company must be good for diversity and longevity of the industry. There will be some short term pain however, but the companies that look forward and invest appropriately should benefit in the long term. This 'timetable' to change sh...
I like the solution...
I certainly see the importance of Swatch not suddenly cutting off other watch companies from their movement supply, though I can't imagine how the executives of the other companies didn't see that such a move would be possible and made arrangements. With ...
Costs and reliability… and the ETA acclimatisation
are big issues. While almost any watch lover would appreciate increased choice from more in-house movements or a greater availability of standard movements, few are willing to pay the price for this. ETA has a great reputation for providing the industry w...
Eta really has that much advantage?
Magnus, You certainly know much more about the topic than I do, so I believe you when you say that Eta can produce quality at a price others can't match. Nonetheless, I find it remarkable that a company such as Sellita wouldn't be more competitive. Also, ...
