View single post by OldeCrow
 Posted: Mon Dec 5th, 2016 01:30 pm
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OldeCrow



Joined: Sun Feb 26th, 2006
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 2897
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You know they had a system that worked, it wasn't broke, didn't need much fixing.
They over consolidated thinking they could just squeeze some competition out but it really created twice as much competition in areas they didn't have any before now they really have priced themselves out of business and there is enough competition in movement and parts manufacturing that they couldn't take it back if they wanted too.

I ranted about European watch houses driving nails into their own coffins a decade ago, they are so focused on trying to preserve some nonexistent idealized version of watchmaking they can't see how to adapt and stay relevant in an evolving world market.

It's ironic the success of Chinese watch manufacturing is that it is modeled after the old European system where there were specialist companies that make the component parts and a watch house assembles them.

Seiko and Citizen have never had to deal with much of that nonsense They have consistently been able to see market trends and follow them pretty successfully. Seiko Even Ramping up production of unbranded movements and Citizen with a new automatic caliber just in time for the Swiss to stop supplying. It's like they don't even have to try...subtlelaugh.gif