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Swissness project: New laws about the "Swiss-Made" | Rating: |
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Posted: Wed Mar 21st, 2012 04:18 pm |
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13th Post |
Hammerfjord Moderator
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I mailed Mr J-D Pasche(The "Federation of the Swiss watch industry" President) who answered me the next day, explaining that after the positive vote from the first government chamber about the Swissness project, they are now waiting for the decision of the second government chamber. From then, The Federation will ask a minimum 60% Swiss-Made law for the quartz watches and a 80% for the mechanicals. At the origin, the Swissness project demand a 60% Swiss-Made minimum for any industrial Swiss production but the different branches there could ask for a higher Swissness percentage: As the Swiss watch industry will do. So the battle isn't won yet as I thought but it's half way to say it like that. From my point of view, there is great chances for that the whole project comes through as the politicians already showed them good will with the first vote.
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Posted: Wed Jan 16th, 2013 05:04 pm |
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14th Post |
Hammerfjord Moderator
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Case moving forward: The legal affairs comity of the national council ruled for 60% "Swissness" The process goes very slow but it still looks positive http://www.fhs.ch/en/news/news.php?id=1052 Swiss jobs must stay in Switzerland National Council's decision (January 16, 2013) By approving a minimum rate of 60 per cent of Swiss value for industrial products, the Legal Affairs Committee of the National Council is defending jobs in Switzerland. The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH), whose members include more than 500 small, medium and large enterprises, applauds this important decision for the «Swissness» project. Rather than seeing more and more jobs relocated to China, Switzerland needs jobs in Switzerland. By its decision of 11 January, the Legal Affairs Committee of the National Council is helping the FH to preserve its 53,000 jobs in Switzerland on a long-term basis, including 1,000 apprenticeship places. With regard to industrial products, including watches in particular, the Legal Affairs Committee allows in the «Swissness» project that at least 60 per cent of the cost price must be manufactured in Switzerland. Research and development costs can now also be included in the calculation. With this stance, the Legal Affairs Committee of the National Council opposes the decision by the Council of States of 10 December 2012, which approved a 50% rule for industrial products. Today, watches produced almost entirely in China are sold legally under the Swiss made label. This is an abuse which the present decision challenges. In the context of Parliamentary deliberations, the 60% rule is also opposed by firms that have 90% of their jobs in Asia. This must change. Many small, medium and large enterprises affiliated to the FH are committed to maintaining the existence of an industrial fabric of manufacturers and subcontractors in Switzerland. A strong and credible Swiss brand creates jobs throughout the value creation chain, among both watch manufacturers and subcontractors, which will also make it possible to develop and strengthen production in Switzerland over the long term. A well protected Swiss brand also prevents foreign companies from buying Swiss watch firms, relocating production to foreign countries at low wages, and despite everything selling their products legally under the Swiss made label. Implementation of the «Swissness» project will not stop the work process from continuing in countries where wages are lower, nor the import of replacement parts from such countries. However the Swiss made label must no longer be misused.
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Posted: Tue Mar 5th, 2013 07:13 am |
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15th Post |
Hammerfjord Moderator
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The unwillingness of the Economiesuisse in the Swissness project proposed and conducted by FH(Federation of Swiss watch industry) is creating a split. My own opinion(and it's my own) is that a part of the Swiss lobby is profiting of the Chinese deals or manufacturing deportation from Switzerland and wants to hold on it's financial advantages... Set me on fire for saying out loud what people whisper.... I let you make your own opinion. The FH is not giving up and the fight is not over: I wish them luck as always. Paradoxal enough, the Economisuisse present itself as "The defenders of the Swiss employment" . Yeah, right. Still refusing the 60% Swissness project who would create great amount of working places in Switzerland since the horology market is growing strong those last years. Maybe they use chinese calculators who works backward...Who knows. http://www.economiesuisse.ch/en/Pages/default.aspx http://www.fhs.ch/en/news/news.php?id=1089 Economiesuisse The FH Gives Notice For The End Of 2013 (February 28, 2013) The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry resigns from economiesuisse with effect from the end of 2013. By a decision of its Board taken on 21 February 2013, the FH will step down from economiesuisse at the end of 2013. The decision will enter into force on 1st January 2014. FH Board members took this decision because they are dissatisfied with the performance and position of economiesuisse on the issue of Swissness. By failing to support the Federal Council’s proposal for industrial products, which sets at 60% the minimum rate of Swiss value in a Swiss product, economiesuisse not only stands in the way of strengthening the protection of this label, but raises the likelihood of it becoming weaker than it is at present. That position runs counter to the interests of the Swiss watch industry, which militates very actively in favour of a strong "Swiss" brand in order to maintain its credibility in Switzerland and worldwide. The watch industry is certainly the industrial sector most affected by this subject, considering that nearly 100% of its products carry the label. The latter contributes to the attractiveness of Swiss watches and their psychological appeal. Strengthening of the Swiss made label generally promotes industrial activity in Switzerland and job creation. For all these reasons, the Board feels that the FH no longer has a place in economiesuisse. Nonetheless, the Board does remain open to dialogue with economiesuisse. The FH wishes to make it clear however that the divergence of opinion does not concern the Minder initiative. Like all Swiss economic circles, including economiesuisse which is leading the campaign, the FH is opposed to the Minder initiative and supports the counterproposal. For more informations Jean-Daniel Pasche, President 032 328 08 28 jdpasche@fhs.ch
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Posted: Sun Jun 23rd, 2013 01:56 pm |
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16th Post |
Hammerfjord Moderator
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Victory: After six years of debate and pressure , the FH and it's followers in the Swiss government won this long and hard battle. The minimum rate of Swiss value for industrial products is applicable to 60% from now since both chambers of the Swiss parliament came to the final agreement who was needed. http://www.fhs.ch/en/news/news.php?id=1172 After six years of work, Parliament this morning passed the Swissness bill, which sets at 60% the minimum rate of Swiss value for Swiss industrial products. On this basis, the authorities will be able to drive forward plans to strengthen the Swiss made label in the watch industry.
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Posted: Mon Jun 24th, 2013 02:19 pm |
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17th Post |
oagaspar Site Founder
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9% increase is unfortunately not going to change anything Will,especially since the the high end Swiss market that has complied to these regulations,and even higher in percentage have raised prices 35% several times in as many years...there will be the same way around this 60% as there was when it was 51% for those who have been doing so in the past.
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Posted: Mon Jun 24th, 2013 02:37 pm |
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18th Post |
Hammerfjord Moderator
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Fact is that it will purify down the line a bit: With those who was exploiting the limit to it's frontier. It's an open door at list: The fight was for 60% on quartz watches and 80% on mechanical. It's not over yet and since it's in progress, we can hope a for better rate in the future. Don't forget that this new law never been concerning the high-end but rather the low-end who abused of the previous law.
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Posted: Mon Jun 24th, 2013 04:39 pm |
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19th Post |
oagaspar Site Founder
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80% is a long way off and it would be best for all imho,but the best so far is the Hyaks/Swatch shutting the door to eta movements...this alone has made it harder for the Asian manufacturers as the eta movement is no longer an easy asset to obtain,however the Swinese movements that fall between the 60% have opened another door...imo a SWISS MADE watch should at least house a 100% Swiss Made movement.
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Posted: Mon Jun 24th, 2013 05:53 pm |
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20th Post |
OldeCrow 3T WIS
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It's about time! A nations "brand" is as important as any other brand name in terms of protecting it and establishing minimum standards for a product to carry the brand name. It would be nice to see the Swiss Made brand carry some weight again! Devils Advocate: I don't think Hamilton quality has suffered with some or all of its manufacturing being done in HK... Last edited on Mon Jun 24th, 2013 05:54 pm by OldeCrow |
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Posted: Mon Jun 24th, 2013 05:58 pm |
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21st Post |
OldeCrow 3T WIS
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Oscar, I don't understand, after the big race between Rolex and Swatch to buy up all the EU watch manufacturing and consolidate it under one roof at least Swatch and Rolex should be able to easily guarantee 100% Swiss Made If they wanted to!? There is certainly a market for it!
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Posted: Mon Jun 24th, 2013 06:37 pm |
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22nd Post |
oagaspar Site Founder
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OldeCrow wrote: Oscar, I don't understand, after the big race between Rolex and Swatch to buy up all the EU watch manufacturing and consolidate it under one roof at least Swatch and Rolex should be able to easily guarantee 100% Swiss Made If they wanted to!? There is certainly a market for it!I agree Chris...and asaik Rolex is 100%,but there have been rumors that even some of the big brands ie: Vacheron Constantine, have been cutting corners with Asian cases finished in Switzerland?...food for thought;if a Swiss manufacture is operating in HK under the same methods(machinery,and watchmakers) as in Switzerland what makes the end product differ?
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Posted: Tue Jun 25th, 2013 12:17 am |
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23rd Post |
Hammerfjord Moderator
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Rolex 100% Swiss-made? They never guaranteed it officialy or advertized it: Even they are the king of world advertising by far and could easily have used it as a great selling tool. They never did: Why? I was told that it was them and Swatch-group who was making a blockage those last years to keep the 50% law running. Why so if Rolex are 100% ? I was first surprised but it's no big secret that it's been suspected since long, except by the fanatics who confuse this brand with god's work... They could have get parts from Asia during years without lifting suspicion: Parts like bracelets, hands, dial parts, gaskets, crystals, crowns, bezels&inserts, raw cases etc... Showing videos of assembly or finishing in Switzerland is no proof of 100% Swiss-made to me: Especially when you produce a million pieces a year and that you keep everything secret with a "Fort Knox" politic as they are known for. On my side, I would bet that the Tudors are made with parts from the east. When you see that them new factory is robotized with efficiency beyond limits known by watchmaking and that the prices are rising up at the same time, you coul'd think that they finally get some parts only made at home: After all those years passed with many mysterious suppliers... Also Soprod who was widely finishing Swiss movements for Panerai have a factory in Hong-kong and so on.... My watchmaker saw as well that Omega was having dials made in Thailand etc... Many have dirty hands but hey: They never broke the law, isn't it???
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Posted: Tue Jun 25th, 2013 07:01 am |
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24th Post |
oagaspar Site Founder
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Rolex doesn't have to advertise 100% Swiss much like Patek doesn't because it is implied with the brand...Rolex has the largest,most state of the art watch facility in the world Will...in Switzerland...why would they need to produce or source parts from Asia?
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