Horological Meandering

DSD
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Authenticity?

Forgive some ramblings on a Sat morning but am very curious to hear what Purist members think of the current trends / state of the Swiss watch industry. I have been enjoying some dialogue on this subject among a number of individuals who work in the industry and/or own major Swiss watch brands and I wonder if my view is true for other collectors or if I am in the minority.

I have been involved in this hobby(?) for a number of years now and perhaps I have leaned a bit too much about the industry and it has made me a bit jaded? We seem to be getting more and more new companies who bring little to the table other than a new design idea. Combine this with fact that many traditional Swiss supply companies (dials, hands, etc) have gone out of business due to the absolutely rampant outsourcing of parts to Asia and I begin to question the authenticity of many brands. The lack of transparency about such things only adds to the problem, as I see it, because when the consumer learns of these practices - it may make one wonder what they are really getting with a high-end purchase. The issue, as I see it, is that the savoir-faire and mentality of the Swiss brands may be lost if the industry is not true to itself. In other words, as a passionate watch person - I buy high end watches because of the work that goes into them and the idea that they are being manufactured by a Swiss company to exacting standards. It is the reputation of the Swiss watch industry for exclusivity and quality that motivates, I think, people to buy objects that are not really necessary but represent an "art."

While globalization is inevitable, if Swiss watch companies continue to outsource a majority of parts, cases, etc and this understanding continues to build in the end consumer - will the very essence of what attracts people to a high-end brand be lost? People pay for authenticity, plain and simple. Or, at least what they see as authenticity. To me, this is the "gold" that the Swiss industry has and exactly what they will lose if they are not true to the art by allowing parts companies and other related manufactures in Switzerland to go out of business because it is cheaper to have dials and hands (or whatever) in China.

Personally, I will target my purchases towards companies that engage in the least amount of outsourcing and are, as I see it, really trying to produce an authentic product. The market is becoming over-saturated with new brands and there is simply too great a choice to now select from. After all, no industry can rest on its laurels forever. We have seen this lesson time and time again.

Just my personal opinions from being a long-time passionate collector. If the quality of outsourced work in Asia is so good - how long do will it be before very high quality Asian companies start putting all of this together and once again change the face of the business? If all the parts are coming from Asia anyway - why should I not give them all of my business? What is the Swiss maker providing? Just a design idea?

Would love to hear what others think. Am I too pessimistic? Jaded? Ignorance is bliss, as they say