Precision Engineering AG has quietly become the go-to assortment supplier for independents
Precision Engineering AG (PEAG) has kept a low profile since its founding by dental implant magnate Thomas Straumann in the early ‘aughts. PEAG’s main customer is their sister company H. Moser & Cie, but they now supply many other independents. I only...
Rethinking Independence ...
This is exactly why I find myself increasingly disappointed with independent watchmakers. I honestly wonder why we continue to use this term. "Independent"... or shouldn't we? I mean, more and more, they seem to be dependent on third parties - sometimes f...
I see your point and understand it completely.
But, as far as I'm concerned, as long as the level of finishing is as high as I expect, I'm not bothered by the fact that some brands work as 'établisseurs', outsourcing some components and assembling them. Being independent as you mean it (=not relying o...
The question could be.... What happens when the Chinese, using the same or better machining equipment, exceed the Swiss due to cheap trainable labor to hand polish parts.
To be fair, we must admit clones have become very impressive. When the Chinese start offering FPJ / Rexhep Rexhepi parts polishing quality... then what?
To classify Ming as an Independent is a long shot
I suppose that is one of the most marketing led brands today! Nothing wrong with that though. But to some extent I agree with your statement. An independent for me is someone like Haldimann or Klings. The lonely fighters…
IMHO Ming is just a branding piece
with sometimes good face/dial design. Just my personal feeling.
Good that there are sound alternatives to Nivarox and Atokalpa! At the time they started it
was a daring move to invest in this type of manufacturing.
This outsourcing of parts and specialty services is
part of the history of Swiss watch manufacturing. These often heralded, small independent watchmakers couldn’t economically exist without outsourcing. Much of the allure of these small companies is their “independence” from a corporate umbrella that dicta...
I completely agree with you.
You say things better than I've been able to in my own comment! Best, Emmanuel
The Swiss only discovered vertical integration in the 1930s
Only slightly exaggerating
The Independence Illusion: Are Independent Watchmakers Truly Independent?
Supporting the idea Financial Independence: Independence in the watchmaking world often refers to financial autonomy rather than complete self-sufficiency. Many independent brands are not owned by large conglomerates like LVMH or Richemont, which allows t...
