NEWS: Swiss Traditions Under Threat

Swiss traditions under threat With regard to the article about Swiss traditions in the January edition of ?Swiss Review?, becoming a Swiss watchmaker is a tradition that goes back centuries. Unfortunately, this trade and tradition is on its way to extinction. Sadly, this is because of the practices and greed of major Swiss watch companies. The practices of over sixty Swiss watch companies towards watchmakers and consumers are unacceptable and shameful. By restricting the sale of their parts to the owners of their watches and to independent watchmakers, companies like Swatch and Riche-mont have become the sole provider of servicing and repair for their brands. Consumers are now at the mercy of their service centres. Competition that keeps quality and price in check is therefore obsolete. These Swiss watch companies act as the owner of the watches they have sold. They refuse to make the parts need­ed for proper regular servicing of their watches available to owners and the watchmakers of their choosing. In the US, a few years ago there were approximately fourteen thousand watchmakers. Today, approximately five thousand remain. This Swiss watch cartel ruse is simple: they claim they want to protect the brand?s name and their clients. Making sure that highly qualified watchmakers are no longer able to service or repair their watches is an oxymoron. It does not offer protection of any kind. Fortunately, these companies are under investigation for alleged anti-competitive and anti-trust violations. Watchmakers you need parts to be able to work, let the FTC know it now. Consumers you must be able to have your watch service/repair by the watchmaker of your choice at competitive price let the FTC know that immediately. Monopoly is against the law. Making you believe that only the restricting company is able to service/repair your watch is deceitful. The FTC wants to hear from you, restricting companies are now entered in their computer system and will act when a pattern is detected. That will be achieve by sending your complaints, and let all people around you know about this. Sent your complaint to: Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20580. Ref. No. 27462283

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