![]() ![]() It’s important that as our industry grows, we remain protective over those who manufacture for us, the unique processes involved, and the equipment we use in our manufacturing processes. ![]() A few of us – Niall, Weiss, RGM and Vero, for example – have brought production of key components in-house. Many of us in the American watchmaking industry have built a strong supply chain of partners that manufacture components for our timepieces. ![]() It was the result of some very wise businessmen that saw an opportunity and capitalized on it. The death of our industry was not an accident. The reality is that America use to be a powerhouse country of watchmakers until they were completely crushed and/or bought and relocated to Switzerland. While we are all very excited to be accepted as watchmakers in a global industry, having a seat at that prestigious table comes with harsh realities. While we all should maintain immense respect for the Swiss watchmaking industry, it’s a reality that we are held to different standards and must play by different rules. It’s important that we, as a country and industry, consider this fact of where we are as American watchmakers. Comparisons will be made on things like movement choice, power reserve, materials, finishing, polishing, dial quality, leather quality, presentation and packaging, as well as brand value. Because American watchmakers are young, we all will be judged for our value and against the watches of higher and lower price categories. Swiss brands have been perfecting horological manufacturing for over 250 years, therefore it only makes sense the they take the five-figure throne.Īs emerging American brands acquire watchmaking knowledge in a much more compressed timeline than the established brands of the past, American watchmakers have an opportunity to capture the $1,500 - $5,000 core luxury price category. These conditions are a small contributor to why we believe Swiss watchmakers are going to dominate the $10,000+ price category. Due to increasing costs from ETA and a changing economic landscape in Switzerland, the cost of Swiss Made watches are going up. Combined with a commitment to repairing the broken business-model of watchmaking "service," I believe this will be the foundation for what American watchmaking means going forward.Īs our industry begins to grow over the next decade, it will be imperative to focus on value with regards to what we produce. The ability to manufacture high quality timepieces that are both transparent in approach and genuine in heart is important. The American watchmaking industry needs to stand for quality, authenticity, and service. It should be defined by who we are and what we stand for as watchmakers within our industry. It’s my perspective that USA Made should not be defined by math. While many of us have reached full non-movement production in the United States, there are technological roadblocks and know-how gaps that will have to be addressed before anyone can authentically claim USA Made. It’s rare for me to state absolutely, but in the case of American watchmaking there is one major absolute – no American brand will reach the full 100% USA Made legal standard in the next five years. This standard is radically different than Switzerland’s "60% Swiss Made" and Germany’s "50% German Made" standards. Our laws dictate a "virtually all, if not all" USA-based manufacturing process (if you're going to label your watches as such in any way). ![]() From a legal perspective, America plays by very different set of rules than traditional European watchmakers. It’s no secret that 2016 was a truly defining time for the American watchmaking industry. ![]()
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