Sadly, this is not news. Even worse, the Swiss will NOT be told how to run their business in foreign countries (like the US) who have laws protecting their consumers against monopolies. Wait for Steve (N2FHL) to come along and tell you a few stories about the games these brands played when the courts ruled against them and forced them to offer parts accounts. It'll make you think they're related to politicians.

 

I'm exhausted. I've been chirping about the same policies here in the US for years. This is one of the reasons that I don't recommend this trade to young people when I'm asked for advice. The American watchmaker is dying, the Swiss are making plenty of money and I see no changes on the horizon. Imagine if your local mechanic couldn't put brakes or even tires on your car. He wouldn't be in business long either.

Steve

 

Here in the States, we have been fighting the big watch companies since the 1960's. We recently just lost another case against Richemont.

These issues will be won either with plenty of money or public pressure. Richemont and all the big watch and watch equipment companies have bought their way into the only professional watchmaker's organization. When legal action is taken it is met with million dollar legal teams and well-paid (or maybe bribed?) professional witnesses who testify that the withholding of parts is really in the best interest of the watchmaker and the consumer.

As to public pressure, forget it. The general public couldn't care less about expensive watches and even a forum like this one, full of watch nuts, has barely coughed out a comment or question.

Steve

 

I subscribe to Nicks blog too amd will definately be sending my fax on Mon morning... it disappointing, but ill have to put my money where my mouth is ... neven though Id dearly love a Pam at some stage, I cant in good conscience buy one while this current scenario exists

 

Hi Steve -

thank you for your comment.

I appreciate all your effort and many years of good work.
Would you be able to assist us with our petition
by providing some details re court case in US?
Please email me directly. Than you.

I believe that battle for free trade in Australia cold have serious consequences to
global outcome re Swiss monopoly.
However Australian public is more agile than US or European.
We are amongst top users of internet and social media,
and we can tell when things are wrong, even when we don't fully understand details.

It took us less than 3 days to gather 580 signed petitions.
Our first goal is 1000 which will happen by Wednesday.
At that point we will start lobbying Australia politicians, prominent people,
big Australian business owners.
We already have media willing to jump on it but we are not ready yet.

Our next step then is to collect 10,000 signed petition.
The new website and Facebook page will be on line shortly
see www.Save-The-Time.org

Also we are producing 3 minute documentary which will explain in simple way
what we really want to achieve. This is really exciting project!

Unlike European and US attempts to make difference, we will
make difference first, then take the case to regulators.
Ads in papers, online media, and video campaign will
assure that regulators know what is going one before we even lodge formal complaint.

This form of activism was not possible until recently.
We are ready to take full advantage.

Our petition to Australian Government is already supported by
many watch enthusiasts overseas and this is really encouraging -
the struggle is still global issue.

Let me finish with an article which I've just written (Omega Forum exclusive
which shows how we intend to present our case.

I would appreciate if you can personally sign our Petition and
help us getting the word out. Thank you and 73 ! Nick Hacko
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


So how was your day?

He runs a small watch repair shop located inside the smallest mall of the smallest country town, north of Bundaberg. He gets home late because that chiming clock is still missing its last quarter chime and he’s just too tired to watch the footy.

"How was your day?" she asks.

"It was good. Eight Seiko and Casio batteries, three watchbands, and Mrs. Smith collected that pocket watch I finished in October. She was too busy to collect it earlier, but it's all good.
It was a good day of trading."

But he knew perfectly well that the trade was not even close to 'good'. With $217 dollars in the cash register he could barely afford to pay their bills and the rent. The only reason why it was good was because most of the other business were doing far worse after yet another flood, or was it a drought?

The business had not been good for years, actually since the cheap battery operated watches replaced mechanical timepieces. The change of technology meant that his skills were no longer required; cheap battery operated watches were too cheap to service and even cheaper to replace. He tried to 'diversify' into the clock trade, apparently everyone else was doing well in clocks. He invested in a bushing tool, main spring winder and even a second-hand Myford lathe which cost a fortune.
Yet deep down in his heart he knew that fixing clocks was not really what he was trained to do, what he wanted to do.

When clock collecting collapsed in early 1990’s (by then he had repaired all 17 clocks in 75 km radius, including that Church clock which went silent after the War, free of charge of course), he was told that "money is in vintage watches". Apparently everyone was trading on eBay.
But he was not a trader. He did not have the money to invest in stock, was not sure how that eBay thing really worked, and was too honest to sell a broken watch to someone half way around the globe.

"It was a good day" he kept telling her every night.

Of course, some of his friends were doing OK in the watch business. Every now and then one of them would stop by that small shop to show him one of their latest acquisitions: a vintage Rolex, a nice Longines, and then there was that fancy 1980s two-tone Cartier.

"Is it genuine?" The visitor would ask.
"Yes, it is."
"So if I need a battery replacement, can I bring it to you?"
"No, I’m sorry, I can’t replace the battery in a Cartier because I don't have a case seal for it".

But he would love to do be able to do so. A battery replacement for that fancy Swiss watch is something he could easily charge $35 dollars for. A couple of those per week would mean an extra $280 per month, or exactly $3,640 per year - enough to buy a "new" Ute.

That was all he needed to make a breakthrough - two fancy Swiss watch batteries per week.
And if he could perhaps get a new winding crown or a plexiglass for that vintage Rolex, he could make a small fortune; that would be an easy $450 repair too!

Unfortunately he knew all too well that he would never get access to Swiss spare parts.
He knew the phone call to Richemont will be answered with "Sorry no parts.
We don't sell to independent watchmakers. Actually we don't supply parts to anyone anymore, we do all of our repairs in-house. And please, stop calling us."

No parts. All he needed is a $2 rubber seal so he could seal the case after the battery replacement.
No parts. Not a screw. Not a seal.
No parts.

For some time he kept dreaming; a $2 dollar rubber seal from Cartier could make all the difference for his small business.
A $25 steel crown for that vintage Rolex would mean he could earn a small fortune. With access to Swiss parts he could even take in an apprentice! Maybe he could expand, advertise online?

He was not interested in competing with the Swiss monopolist. All he wanted to do is what he was trained to - make an honest living repairing watches that Rolex had already rendered as "too old to be repaired".
That really would be a good day!

Unfortunately, his services were no longer needed. No parts meant a slow and steady decline for both his business and his pride.
The closure of the last small watch repair shop located inside the smallest mall of the smallest country town, north of Bundaberg, was not even news for the smallest local papers.

So how was your day, Rolex? And how was yours, Richemont? Have you had a good one?

----------------------------------------------------

The monopoly on the supply of spare parts for brand-name Swiss watches will mean the death of Australian independent watchmakers.
When you sign our petition, you are voicing your concern to the Australian Government and Fair Trade Regulators.
You are helping us to preserve our skills to practice our trade, and to make an honest living.

Can you really afford not to sign? http://www.clockmaker.com.au/watch_petition.doc
http://www.clockmaker.com.au/watch_petition.pdf

*** Please sign forward to your friends. Thank you ***

 

Hi Nick. From one free enterprise loving watch fan to another: I hope you kick their ass.

 

Nick,

I presume that your petitions will be used to enlist Australian officials in your cause. Will non-Australian signatures really make a difference? Your site doesn't seem to be online yet. Can we email our support or do we need to fax an actual signed petition?

Steve

 

I wish parts were available to skilled watch makers, from all watch lines and in every country.

What if you were actually able to win in court. What is preventing the watch companies from taking their ball and going home. Closing up shop in Australia.

 

Money. and plenty of it. They make buckets of it just selling their watches and wouldn't give that up regardless. This fight is about their attempt to monopolize the repair market also.

Steve

 

Money would be the reason why they'd leave. To open up parts accounts to independent watch makers in Australia would be making parts available to watch makers world wide. Even if they only sold to Australia, watchmakers from around the globe would be sourcing parts through Australia.

I would think that the sale of watches by Richemont in Australia, compared to world wide sales by percent, would be in the low single digits and I would be willing to bet that many of the potential sales in Australia would be realized by Aussies purchasing the pieces abroad. I am just a small collector in Canada, but I have sourced watches directly from several different provinces here at home, the USA, The Caribbean, Italy, France, directly from Switzerland and Ireland. With the internet we can easily shop the globe.