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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- About 30 years after deciding to develop its jewelry line over its watch business, Tiffany & Co. said it's finally paying attention to the long-neglected segment. The luxury retailer announced this past weekend it will partner with Swatch Group, its biggest partnership in its 170-year history.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/sto...x?guid={4E554348-9854-465C-8AF3-559FBDBE6199}

 

[GradyPhilpott]

Wow!

Swatch is on a roll.

Who's next?

Armitron, Citizen, Timex, Seiko, Invicta, Akribos, Stührling, Stauer?

 

[boscoe]

Tiffany's existing in-house watch line is interesting but lacks anything to justify the stratopheric prices. Right now, they offer just another "generic" watch, albeit with the Tiffany logo.
I wish them luck.

 

[Revolution]

I can only hope the Swatch Group explodes from their bloat.

 

[timefinder]

I can only hope the Swatch Group explodes from their bloat.

Wow! That was a stinging comment! Why the dislike for them?

 

[Revolution]

Yeah, that was probably too harsh. I'm just not a big fan of their monopolistic business practices. Love Hamiltons, think Omegas are beautiful watches, but loathe the Swatch Corporation. Just personal opinion, should have worded things differently, didn't mean to offend anyone.:001_smile:

 

[GradyPhilpott]

Well, regardless of the waves Swatch has made in the business world with their supposed monopolistic practices, they seem to me to have saved the Swiss watch industry from a complete collapse.

That would have been tragic and as long as Swatch operates within the law and continues to produce watches that are of high quality and retain the heritage of the watch companies they have taken in, instead of producing a bunch of homogenized products under different names, a la General Motors, then I think we can all be grateful that Swatch was formed and was successful in their enterprises.

 

[boscoe]

Actually, by drying up ETA movements they've contributed to the development of independent manufacturers. So it's bad in short term, but good in long term.

I hope.

 

[Revolution]

I hope so too Boscoe. I hope the many small independents are going to be able to survive in the short-term.

Thanking Swatch for saving the swiss industry is like thanking Bill Gates for the computer. I think gratitude has been paid many times over through the huge fortunes of these companies and we no longer owe them our undying allegiance, particularly when they use anti-competitive business practices that serve to drive out (or dry up) their competition.

 

[bullandvodka]

Tiffanys has AFAIK always contracted their watches from other manufacturers. I know Tiffanys sold Rolex for a while with their and Rolex's name on the dial. Its actually pretty interesting to think the some folks when into Tiffanys to buy a hard core diver like a Sea-Dweller, but they did.

Lately, they have tended to OEM watches and only have their name on the dial. I avoid Tiffanys like the plague. Extremely overpriced in my opinion.

 

[timefinder]

Yeah, that was probably too harsh. I'm just not a big fan of their monopolistic business practices. Love Hamiltons, think Omegas are beautiful watches, but loathe the Swatch Corporation. Just personal opinion, should have worded things differently, didn't mean to offend anyone.:001_smile:

No offense taken! I was really just curious why you disliked them so much. Thanks for the explanation! :001_smile:

 

[Island Time]

I avoid Tiffanys like the plague. Extremely overpriced in my opinion.

+1

while i have gone into the store a few times, i am shocked at the pricing.

i am sure the quality of their jewelry is beyond compare, but the watches i've noticed are plain and boring imho and wayyyyy overpriced.

hey, if i hit the lotto, i might buy the little lady something in the "robins egg blue" box, but i would not buy a watch.... unless they start selling IWC

 

[Tom Barry]

In the blue box

This is my only Tiffany, in its original boxes. I didn't think it was overpriced - it was free! It was a presentation watch to me for 20 years with my company. I think it is quite elegant. Got a wall clock for my 35th, when I retired...

 

[LarryD]

You definitely pay extra for Tiffany on the dial..

Still, if the price is the same, a Tiffany Omega might not be a bad conversation starter.. :thumbup1:


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