Horological Meandering

Bill
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Poinçon de Genève

The Geneva seal. 

The Geneva seal in horology (watches), is a certification reserved for wrist watch movements made in the City or Canton of Geneva. Although it is concerned mainly with the finishing and decoration of the watch movement, it is considered a high accolade in the industry. Precision testing, though not mandatory, is an option in the inspection process.

Therein lies the rub.  How much of a product can be outsources while still being qualified to be "Swiss".  Stamping out cases at a factory offshore and then later refinished in "Geneva".  Again that very fine line.

I guess that the point you want to raise is how much is outsourced if any and what should be disclosed.  Again there are Swiss made watches that only cost $50 and carry the made is "Switzerland".  Once again is the brand producing the highest quality product in line with their reputation.  The Swiss made watch at $50 you could say is in line but at 1000, 5000 or $50,000 what say you then. 

Again this thread is not one of in-house vs not in-house but how much outsourcing is acceptable.  I guess that is left up to the individual to draw that distinction as to what is acceptable if any.  Then vote with your dollars buy or don't buy.  Other than that there is no bright line.

The worry I guess could be if when outsourcing becomes common place will competition for the production be come the issue.  I draw this analogy from the wine industry when $5.00 bottles of wine are competing with fine wine 10 and 20 times their price for corks.  The cheaper wines what real corks to make their wine look expensive when less quality plastic or other corks would do fine.  In the mean time fine wine makers are struggle to find a good supply which is getting more scarce.

Bill