Change is, of course, inevitable in the watchmaking business. But even as the Swiss watch industry picks itself up after weathering the effects of the global financial crisis, other developments irreversibly changes the landscape. For one, the watchmaking world has lost two influential figures: Walter Lange, founder of A. Lange & Söhne, and Roger Dubuis, founder of his own eponymous brand, both passed away this year.
We’ve also seen shifts in top management in top brands like Corum and Zenith, followed by the acquisition of Breitling by CVC. This marks the second major M&A following last year’s acquisition of Frederique Constant by Citizen Group. The aftermath of these changes will decide the course of the industry in the years to come—and that’s putting it mildly.
It is, however, quite heartening…
