...SWATCH : EL ARTE DE REINVENTAR EL TIEMPO Tomado del libro INNOVACION: El arte de inventar el futuro ¿Qué es un reloj? ¿Un artículo para medir el tiempo? ¿Una joya? ¿Un accesorio de moda? El replanteamiento de estas preguntas básicas acerca de lo que un reloj significa para el cliente logró que la industria relojera suiza resurgiera de sus cenizas en uno de los regresos empresariales más espectaculares del siglo XX. Un poco de historia El diseño del negocio relojero suizo no había cambiado prácticamente en nada hasta los años setenta. No había razón para hacerlo. "¿Para qué? —se preguntaban—. Si siempre hemos realizado nuestros negocios de esa manera y nos va muy bien, ¿por qué cambiar? El cliente, nuestro cliente, el de siempre, es un hombre conservador y pudiente que paga un precio elevado por un producto que contenga la leyenda “Hecho en Suiza”. Era cierto. Hasta la década de los setenta, nadie cuestionaba que un reloj era un sinónimo de joya. Los Suizos se habían encargado de satisfacerles a sus clientes sus más sofisticados deseos. De la precisión al estilo, del lujo al refinamiento, de 100 hasta los 500 000 dólares o más. Los suizos dominaban el negocio de la relojería. Con cerca de 90.000 empleados, tenían más del 60% del mercado y el 90% de las utilidades. En 1970 la industria tenía un valor cercano a los 10 mil millones de dólares. Nadie cuestionaba su éxito. Todo iba bien, no había una razón poderosa para cambiar. El paradigma en el que basaban sus creencias era real...
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...was the Swatch so successful? In what ways was the Swatch different than any other watch the industry had ever seen? Switzerland, which had absolute advantage over watches, continuously lost their occupation over the market by Japan and Hong Kong which emerged with low-cost item strategy. To cope with this crisis, SMH which had considerable portion in watch of market in Switzerland made new brand that have novel strategy, and that is Swatch, leading brand of watch market these days. We will now look about SMH through SWOT, and find out why SMH had to make the brand Swatch and through which strategy we will find out the reason how Swatch became successful in the market. [Picture 1] By looking at SMH through SWOT analysis (Picture 1), even though the SMH of those days had brand of luxuries, and had advantage of having know-how to make high quality watches, it had weakness of having problems of high prices and had troubles of business at managing, strategies, and structure. But the point that they could create portfolio by merging two brands, and the Nicholas Hiek became the new CEO was the chance for SMH. Lastly, the fact that Hong Kong and Japan came up with low price strategies was the threatening thing for SMH. The counter-strategy SMH came up with for the low price strategy of competitiors was to keep their high qualities, keeping their advantagies but reducing prices, and using their chance of making portfolio by merging two companies and create Swatch. Then...
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...Tarea #5 CASO SWATCH 1. Responda las siguientes preguntas: 2.1 Quienes eran los clientes de los relojes suizos antes y después de Hayek? Antes | Después | Los clientes a los que se encontraba enfocado el mercado de relojería suizo, eran personas que valoraban al reloj como una joya sofisticada. | Luego de Hayek, estando en una inminente crisis el mercado de relojes suizos, se decide no cambiar, pero si crear nuevos enfoques al mercado, orientados a gente fresca que valore al reloj como un accesorio de moda. | 2.2 Cuáles son las características de esos clientes? Antes | Después | * Nivel socioeconómico alto * Podían pagar un precio elevado * Reloj valorado como una joya sofisticada y tradicional | * Gente fresca y relajada * Amantes a la moda * De todos los estratos sociales | 2. Responda las siguientes preguntas: 3.3 Quienes son los competidores de los relojeros suizos? En un principio empresas como casio, Timex, Seiko y Citizen. Fueron quienes abarcaron mayor parte del mercado copiando el mecanismo digital subestimado por los suizos. Luego de la ampliación de concepto y tras la creación de Swatch surgieron nuevos grupos como: Mido, Calvin Klein, Tissot, Certina, Pierre Balmain y Hamilton. 3.4 Cuáles son los factores de mercado que afectan a los relojeros suizos? Uno de los factores principales que afecto a los relojes suizos fue el tradicionalismo, traducido como adversos al cambio. Este elemento fue clave...
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...SWATCH Watch U.S.A.: Creative Marketing Strategy “Vision is the art of seeing things invisible” - JONATHAN SWIFT INTRODUCTION As speaker after speaker paid tribute to the extraordinary skills that had earned him the award of “Marketing Executive of the Year”, Max Imgruth, President of Swatch Watch U.S.A., grew more and more uneasy. Fully confident that the product that changed the watch industry forever, the Swatch watch, would enjoy continued success, Imgruth nonetheless left the need to change gears, The competition, which was at first slow to react, had begun to implement strategies that stood to erode Swatch’s position. Gazing from his privileged plane on the dais, Imgruth saw an audience that was content to rehash past successes for a night, which was nice, but no at all his style. Imgruth had recently guided his company through a fast paced and, some would say, controversial diversification program. Having already achieved spectacular success with the Swatch watch, Imgruth spearheaded a plan to establish Swatch as a total fashion enterprise. This move was accompanied by a good deal of skepticism from colleague and competitor alike. His next objective was to make sure that this year’s # 1 marketing executive did not become one of the decade’s more memorable disappointments.1 BACKGROUND-THE SWISS WATCH INDUSTRY 1985 was a good year for the Swiss watch industry. The number of finished watches shipped abroad rose 41 percent to 25.1 million and the value of watch exports...
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...For the exclusive use of B. Tu 9-504-096 REV: NOVEMBER 22, 2004 YOUNGME MOON The Birth of the Swatch Ten years ago, the people on the original Swatch team asked a crazy question: Why can’t we design a striking, low-cost, high-quality watch and build it in Switzerland? The bankers were skeptical. A few suppliers refused to sell us parts. They said we would ruin the industry with this crazy product. But the team overcame the resistance and got the job done. — Nicolas Hayek1 In 1993, Swatch was the best-selling watch in the history of the watch industry. In 1992 alone, it sold 27 million units, while cumulative sales surpassed 100 million units (see Exhibit 1). In addition, it was widely acknowledged that the entire Swiss watch industry had been on the brink of disaster when the Swatch had been introduced 10 years ago; the phenomenal success of the Swatch was considered by many to have been a key factor in its resurgence. At the management level, much of the credit for the turnaround had been directed toward Nicolas Hayek, CEO of the Societe Suisse de Microelectronique et d’Horlogerie (SMH), which controlled nine global Swiss brands including Swatch. Over the past 10 years, Hayek had led the way for the success of the Swatch by committing SMH to a business strategy that in many ways defied industry wisdom about how global watch companies should be run. This strategy was based on a strict commitment to vertical integration (the company assembled all of...
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...Submitted By Group 2: Arunava Maity, Firoj Kumar Meher, Parvez Izhar, Pooja Sharma 1940’s- The Swiss dominated the watch industry because of their centuries-long history of jewelry-making expertise. Prior to the 1950s, watchmaking was a craft that required the skills of a master jewelry maker combined with the expertise of a micromechanical engineer. 1945’s-By 1945, The Swiss accounted for 80% of the world’s total watch production and 99% of all U.S. imports. 1951-Emergence of Low Cost Competition. U.S. Time introduced a line of disposable watches bearing the Timex brand name. Timex was selling its watches through a variety of low-priced outlets such as drugstores and discount houses. By the end of the 1950s, one out of every three watches bought in the United States was a Timex, 1970 –By 1970’sTimex was selling more watches than any other manufacturer in the world. 1970’s- During the same time, several Japanese companies like Hattori-Seiko and Citizen—had taken over the Asian market and were trying to cover up Europe and North America. As a result, the Swiss share of the global market declined, from 80% in 1946 to just 42% in 1970. The Introduction of Quartz Technology * Made use of quartz and integrated circuits * Provided Accuracy, more sophisticated functionality, more features like day & time·, Digital display, Analog watches. * Cheaper in cost of manufacturing. * A wide Price range, starting from $8 to $20, today even below $5. * Introduction of analog...
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...function, the product design function and the operations function to the success of Swatch? The success of Swatch took place despite the other branded goods’ equal desperation for growth and the value-conscious consumers’ resistance to price increases in an era of low inflation (Noella, 2002), and are opting for high-quality private label goods instead of brands (Devincentis and Kotcher, 1995). Thus, Swatch’s innovative evolution had essentially had broaden their consumer base. For Swatch, the recuperation and improvement from their diminished market share due to their high-priced watches and the availability of low-priced brands, can be attributed to these three factors. First, the development of their product from the use of classy materials to plastic cased watches and the subsequent cost reduction that they garnered allowed for lower prices. Thus, enabling them to compete with other brands. The production process having designed to be more efficient than its competitors allowed for the manufacture of cheaper products. The development of the operation however was due mainly to the change in the product design; both increasing the economies of scale of Swatch making it able to increase its target market and thus, boosting its market share. As illustrated by Carter, Melnyk and Handfield (1995) product design is one of the primary locus of competitiveness in today's dynamic marketplace. What Swatch did was introduced a new trend coupled by an inherent company philosophy that...
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...Market Analysis : SWATCH GROUP Basic Analysis of the Watch Segment Gyanashree Maharana PGDM – BM Section - B Roll No – 82 Date of Submission : 7/14/2012 SWATCH GROUP TABLE OF CONTENTS SWATCH GROUP: AN INTRODUCTION KEY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES BRANDS: WATCH SEGMENT SWATCH: WORLD MARKET SWATCH GROUP IN FIGURES PRODUCTION STRATEGY SEGMENTATION TARGETING POSITIONING PROMOTION SWOT ANALYSIS 3 3 3 4 4 5 6 10 10 10 10 Page | 2 SWATCH GROUP SWATCH GROUP: AN INTRODUCTION The Swatch Group (or just ‘SWATCH’) is a manufacturer and distributor of watches, movements, components and other products. The group also manufactures mechanical and quartz movements, and is active in the design, production and marketing of electronic components. Swatch has subsidiaries and distributors worldwide. It is headquartered in Biel, Switzerland and employs about 28,000 people. KEY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES The key products and services that constitute the group are as follows – 1. 2. 3. 4. WATCHES RETAILING PRODUCTION ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS Our basic concern in this report will be on the Watch Segment. BRANDS: WATCH SEGMENT The following are the various brands that comprise the Watch Segment of the Swatch Group1: Prestige and Luxury Range Breguet Blancpain Glashutte Original Jacquet Droz Tiffany and Co. Leon Hatot Omega High-Price Range Longines Rado Union Glashutte Middle-Price Range Tissot Balmain Certina Hamilton ck Watch and Jewellery Basic Range Swatch Flik Flak 1 Info as in the Annual Report...
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...The Swatch watch was basically launched to re-capture the entry level market share lost by Swiss Manufacturers during the explosive growth of Japanese watch companies, such as Seiko in the 1960s and 1970s, and also in order to re-popularize analogue watches in a time when digital watches had reached wide popularity. The first steps of the new Swatch brand in 1983 were marked by bold new styling and design. The quartz watch was redesigned for manufacturing efficiency and fewer parts. This combination of marketing and manufacturing expertise restored Switzerland as a major player in the world wristwatch market. I-MACRO-ENVIRONMENT: Technological : The Swiss watch industry dealt with huge losses due to the use of old and outdated production processes whereas competitors incorporated latest technologies in their products. However, the CEO of ETA, Ernst Thomke, managed to turn things around by having the idea of bonding watch parts to the case which resulted in creating the world's thinnest watch. This innovation helped swatch to regain technological edge over its competitors. Threats: Other manufacturers incorporated advanced technologies in their products whereas swiss watch manufacturers continued to use out-dated tech. Introduction of the electronic watch by other manufacturers. Strengths: Long history of high quality watches. Delirium project provided innovations that leaded to swatch's development. Reduction of production costs due to using molded...
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...CLIENT PROFILE The Swatch Group is an international group active in the manufacture and sale of finished watches, jewelry, watch movements and components. Swatch supplies nearly all components required by its nineteen watch brands, and Swatch companies supply movements and components to third-party watchmakers in Switzerland and around the world. Swatch Group is also a key player in the manufacture and sale of electronic systems used in watchmaking and other industries. Swatch employs more than 24 000 people in over 50 countries. THE CHALLENGE Swatch engaged the services of Real Facilities to evaluate its Greater Toronto Area real estate holdings, distribution network and repair facility in an attempt to manage its growing real estate costs. With two years remaining prior to expiry, the key challenge was to secure a long-term position in the market while simultaneously providing an exit strategy to accommodate changing business needs. REAL FACILITIES' RESPONSE Real Facilities took a very strategic approach to this requirement. A thorough analysis of Swatch's existing lease was completed together with indepth explorations of its operations and ongoing business strategy. Multiple scenarios were developed, including a potential relocation of operations to a new facility. Only at the appropriate time did Real Facilities engage in discussions with Swatch's existing landlord where the opportunity was presented to continue a long-term real estate relationship with...
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...BRANDED FASHION WATCH On an April morning, 1993, Tom Kartsotis woke up worth over $42 million on paper and owner of a considerably stronger company. The previous day’s initial public offering of 2.4 million shares had returned $18.7 million to Fossil. Starting from modest beginnings, Fossil had emerged as a major competitor in the highly-competitive branded fashion watch industry. Tom’s months of hard work had resulted in a successful initial public stock offering (IPO). He faced the welcome challenge of making effective use of these new funds. FOSSIL’S CREATION AND GROWTH After he dropped out of Texas A&M, Tom set up business outside Texas Stadium in suburban Dallas. He worked as a ticket-broker, or as some would say, scalper, and sold enough hard-to-get tickets to sporting events and concerts to build his savings to over $200,000. In 1984, at the age of 24 and not looking forward to a future as a ticket scalper, he sold out to his partner and began a search for new opportunities. Tom’s older brother, Kosta, 31 at the time, was a merchandise executive at a large Dallas department store chain, Sanger Harris. Kosta had noted the recent success of Swatch fashion watches and was aware that watches and other goods could be imported from the Far East at very low cost. On a visit to Hong Kong, Tom studied a number of potential products for import including toys and stuffed animals before following Kosta’s advice and returned to the U.S. to develop a watch import business...
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...------------------------------------------------- Going Bigger in Tokyo: Swatch Group Is Latest In Rush for Megastores. (cover story) Source: WWD: Women's Wear Daily; 6/13/2007, Vol. 193 Issue 125, p1-12, 2p, 2 Color Photographs Document Type: Article Subject Terms: *RETAIL stores *CORPORATIONS -- Growth WRIST watches Geographic Terms: JAPAN Company/Entity: SWATCH Group Ltd. DUNS Number: : 103286126 Abstract: This article reports on a megastore that was opened by swatch company Swatch Group in Japan. The company joined other companies that have opened in Japan including Gucci, Bulgari, and Bottega Veneta. Seven main brands--Swatch, Omega, Blancpain, Glashutte, Breguet, Jaquet Droz and Leon Hatot--have their showrooms and boutiques at the Nicholas G. Hayek Center in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan, as well as the Swatch Group Japan office and an event space for exhibitions and receptions. Full Text Word Count: 797 ISSN: 01495380 Accession Number: 25449031 Database: Business Source Complete Translate Full Text: HTML Full Text ------------------------------------------------- Going Bigger in Tokyo: Swatch Group Is Latest In Rush for Megastores Listen | Download MP3 Help | | | Dateline: TOKYO Swatch Group is the latest luxury player to place a big bet on Tokyo. The world's largest watch firm has joined the rush of companies opening megastores in the Japanese capital, which, in the...
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...INDUSTRY OVERVIEW 1.1. WRIST WATCH INDUSTRY Wrist Watches form an integral part of the personality of individuals in the present era. Earlier seen as a luxury item, they are now witnessing a fundamental change in perception, and are now gaining respect as an essential utility item. For the watch industry, time seems in its favour what with the liberalization of the Indian market coupled with the rising purchasing power of the young and consumerist Indians. Indian watches market was for long dominated by public sector organisations like Hindustan Machine Tools Ltd. (HMT) and Allwyn (also famous for its refrigerators once upon a time!), and has now left the pioneers far behind or nowhere in market by private sector enterprises like Titan, Sonata, Ajanta and Timex along with foreign entities jostling for display space in the smallest of shops selling these products. Before the establishment of HMT as the dominant player in the Indian markets initially, the country was solely dependent on imports to meet the internal demand. However, establishment of HMT as the leading player in the wrist watch segment in the 1960’s, changed the scenario. In post liberalization India, the market stood to witness intensive competition between foreign and Indian manufacturers like Timex, Titan, Movado, Longines, Rado, Rolex, Fréderique Constant, Mont Blanc, Swatch, and many others. Many watch makers have made significant inroads in the industry and others are in the process of establishing themselves...
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...Swatch digital impact issues Swatch is a brand name for a line of wristwatches from the Swatch Group, a Swiss conglomerate with vertical control of the production of Swiss watches and related products. In 1984, Swatch was conceived and it was introduced to the market in Switzerland in March 1985. Swatch uses several software like Microsoft office, Adobe Creative Suite and other more technical software for the watches design and production. Swatch has its own website: http://www.swatchgroup.com where a lot of information is available: • The investors • The job seekers • The customers • The media and press. This website is very integral because it brings together many actors of the company. The website is also offering the “Swatch Group Info Service” which allows everyone to get information easily and efficiently about all the services of the company. Swatch is also present on Facebook, Swatch Watches has more than 650000 fans around the world and has a special page for every country, for example Swatch Türkiye has 220000 fans. Swatch is also on Twitter. Swatch has also a smartphone application: Swatch uses the main social networks for its communication, the creativity is a pillar for Swatch and its communication has also to be creative, the digitals tools of today offers to Swatch a lot of way to develop his image through the world. Swath communication: In its communication Swatch put the environmental question at the first plan: ...
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...The SWATCH Project: A Case Report By错误！未找到引用 源。 Candidates Zhang Xingquan, Guo Jun, Xiao Jie, Zhang Yingying, Kong Lingxiang 2006 World Economics, Faculty of Business Hubei University Jun 12th 2008 This report details analyzing the market situation and marketing mix of Swatch. Possible marketing strategies, and benefits and risks, are explored. Finally, the type "C" Swatch should price under $30, and an exclusive distributorship should be adopted, are concluded. Furthermore, to enlarge Swatch's global market share and to achieve the economies of scale are recommended. The Swatch project was made by ETA, which produced a full range of watch movements and was known as the creator of ultra-thin movements used in expensive watches. This new watch would come in a variety of colored plastic cases and bracelets with an analog face, and ETA had designed an entire production process for Swatch. As the market share of Swiss watches shrunk sharply in the global market, ETA had faced a more and more difficult circumstance. The Swatch project under the code name “Popularius” aimed at rediscovering what the market wanted and then to supply and gain it. While problems were how to gain the potential market and how to adopt different marketing strategies to distribute and promote the new watch. The Swatch project concerned the investigation of Swatch’s potential markets and the feasibility of different marketing mix of Swatch watches and watch movements. The marketing mix of one company...
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