Column – The Swiss Watch Industry Is Bankrupt

Well, if the point of the article was to incite discussion, it is proving successful. IMO, his point is that we don't need a fancy, expensive mechanical watch to tell time. And the tech conglomerates have done well with the invention of gadgets (many I admit I won't do without), including the introduction of a variety of smart watches. The Swiss manufacturers continue to pump out "high priced", mechanical pieces, and don't appear to be heeding the rise of the tech watches. Lot of people will use a smart watch for their own purposes, but I don't see them being around even 20 yrs from now as being 'essential' in a collection. Just as Dennis said, people (both men and women) appreciate well crafted, hand-built quality time pieces, and will continue as long as we humans have that ability. So, yes, the Swiss watch industry should be aware of the possibilities (financial bankruptcy if the techies take over), but also should come up with new designs (hybrids, etc.) to avoid a bankruptcy of ideas. I do think that he has forgotten the Swatch Sistem 51, which is essentially a tech mechanical watch. I, for one, am curious to see just how far this idea of minimalism goes, and how it appeals to the younger, tech savvy generation. I want one for my collection, even just for conversation purposes...Indeed, long live the Swiss watch!!