In 2002 ETA (owned by Swatch Group) announced that as of 2010 it would no longer deliver movements to those outside its own group. So just who belongs to the select Swatch Group, when did it carry out such a string of takeovers and how did it achieve such a vertical integration of its core business?
At present Swatch Group is the world’s largest watch producer and the first of the big three groups (Swatch, LVMH and Richemont) to integrate a watch acquisition policy. Since Swatch itself was established in 1982 the company has expanded its horological portfolio to include 19 brands and 155 production centres that specialise in everything from movements (ETA and Frédéric Piguet), micromechanisms (Valdar), oscillating and escapement parts (Nivarox-FAR), dials (Rubattel & Weyermann, MOM Le Prélet and Deutsche Zifferblatt Manufaktur), hands (Universo), crowns (Meco) and of course cases and bracelets (Favre et Perret, Manufacture Ruedin and Lascor). In fact Swatch is so well diversified with such a vast array of businesses that it even has interests in our own region. In 2008 it acquired a sizeable stake in the UAE-based watch retailer, Rivoli Group.
Here is when each watch brand joined the group:
Name
Category
Years old
Acquired in
Swatch
Basic
27
-
Tissot
Middle
156
1983
Rado
High
52
1983
Certina
Middle
121
1983
Omega
Prestige
161
1985
Mido
Middle
90
1985
Flik Flak
Basic
22
-
Longines
High
177
1994
Balmain
Middle
22
1995
ck watch & jewelry
Middle
12
-
Hamilton
Middle
117
1997
Breguet
Prestige
234
1999
Léon Hatot
Prestige
89
1999
Glashütte Original
Prestige
164
2000
Union Glashütte
High
116
2000
Jaquet Droz
Prestige
271
2000
Endura
Factory
43
2001
Blancpain
Prestige
274
2007
Tiffany & Co.
Prestige
1
2008
