Something that has been bugging me for a few years now

P PatrickJ

Appreciate the point Rolex had taken control of Aegler, it was the reverse for Omega as Swatch took control of them.

Nobel Prize

Yes, but my understanding is that since 1930 they only made movements for Geneva/ Rolex and Rolex only got movements from them. ( minus exceptions like the zenith primero movement for the Daytona). Before then they made movements for gruen and Rolex and had shares of both companies. In any event yes, it is an in house movement since 2004 and Rolex is an all in house brand since then.

Actually it took them a bit to buy all the manufacturers that where part of their brand. ( cases, bracelets, crystal and movement) but they have always have exclusive agreements with independent houses and then on 04 managed the final step.

Nobel Prize

Rolex does have an all in house movement

robocaspar

Really interesting discussion here guys!

Although im no expert I'll share my 2 cents concerning Omega and Swatch Group.

From my understanding Omegas was never bought by Swatch. Swatch group was the result of a merger between SSIH and ASUAG in 1983. SSIH was a result of a merger between Omega and Tissot in 1930. If anything I would say Omega was part of the original founding of Swatch and not a later acquisition.

P PatrickJ

An excellent point we all knew about and did not pick up on!

P PatrickJ

Now did Tissot and Omega share the same movements? It all depends on the price points and positioning of the brands in the 1930's, would it of been like today..

U ulackfocus

Another nit to pick: They do outsource a handful of small parts. Only Seiko, who even makes their own screws and oils, are COMPLETELY in-house.

I believe so regarding Rolex. With Seiko yes I believe they do it all, but a lot of it is done away from Japan in Seiko built and quality controled factories. Must be to do with cheaper wages for workers.

In reality if we are honest it must all be to do with economies of scale.

CanberraOmega

SOmetimes, yes. Here is my Tissot Seastar from my grandfather, with a calibre 2481, equivalent to omega cal1481 (see the good dr: http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2uswk&Tissot_2481) and would appear to date from 1972, based on a serial number of 15,688,062 and the chart here: (http://forums.watchuseek.com/f11/hello-new-here-forum-92772.html#post566750)

.

U ulackfocus

Another nit to pick: They do outsource a handful of small parts. Only Seiko, who even makes their own screws and oils, are COMPLETELY in-house.

Nobel Prize

Wow, I was going to counter someone always would provide parts. Didn't know seiko was that self reliant. Impressive

P PatrickJ

An excellent point we all knew about and did not pick up on!

Nobel Prize

Wow, I was going to counter someone always would provide parts. Didn't know seiko was that self reliant. Impressive

Nobel Prize

I didn't know this. Interesting.

I guess the final argument is beyond the perception and emotional attachment what does it REALLY matter? Business at a macro level versus the end result. On that we have some fine pieces to speak for.

CanberraOmega

BUT they don't produce their own electricity, water? What about the tooling machines? Light globes in their factories?

U ulackfocus

Another nit to pick: They do outsource a handful of small parts. Only Seiko, who even makes their own screws and oils, are COMPLETELY in-house.

STANDY

. As of right now, the only major parts that Rolex doesn't make for all of their watches are the synthetic sapphire crystals and many of the dial hands (though I have a feeling the latter will change in the next several years).

Taken from below in 2013
http://www.ablogtowatch.com/10-things-know-rolex-makes-watches/2/

Buying all the companies that make or made your parts ( and still make parts for other brands) is hardly a claim to fully in house.

Smart, Very Smart. Marketing is the key to all big brands nowdays