Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
WatchesOct 28, 2016
Swatch Group Warns of ‘Massive’ Price Hikes
The company said it might have to up movement prices after its request to alter the 2013 agreement that regulates its deliveries of components to other watchmakers was rejected.
Swatch Group, maker of watch brands include Longines, Omega and Tissot, warned of potential steep increases in the prices of ETA movements if it’s forced to continue holding onto movements it’s obligated to make but can’t sell.
Biel/Bienne, Switzerland--Swatch Group issued a statement Thursday warning of “massive” price hikes to come in the wake of the Swiss Competition Commission’s rejection of its proposal for moving non-purchased movements.
Back in 2013, Swatch Group reached what it described as an “amicable settlement” with the Competition Commission (Comco) that allowed it to begin dialing back the volume of finished movements and movement parts that movement maker ETA supplies to third-party customers, companies like Tudor and Sellita. A complete stoppage in supply is set for the end of 2019.
Until then, Swatch Group is obligated to maintain movement production at a certain level despite the fact that many of its customers have drastically reduced the size of their orders, with some major customers not placing any orders for 2017.
Because of this, Swatch Group asked Comco to allow ETA to try to sell the non-purchased movements to all its third-party customers, not just those covered under the 2013 agreement.
Comco rejected this request.
In a statement issued Thursday, the commission said, “The difficult economic environment in which the watch industry is currently located is … not a sufficient reason to modify the scheme adopted in 2013.”
Swatch Group called the decision “utterly unrealistic.”
“The Swatch Group proposal never intended to deviate from the amicable settlement but rather to supplement it in order to take the abusive customer behavior into account,” the company said.
“With this decision, ETA and Swatch Group must once again assume their customers’ economic risk … ETA must maintain the determined capacities for the coming years in order to meet its supply obligation as defined by Comco.”
Swatch Group added that it will have to consider “massive price hikes” in order to cover the additional costs associated with producing these movements that it’s not able to sell.
Jon Cox, a Switzerland-based Kepler Cheuvreux analyst who covers Swatch, said the threat “isn’t really serious” because Comco can reject any price increases it views as unreasonable.
But he added, “Of course this could be another reason it [Comco] rejected Swatch Group. It may have indicated that, given Swatch Group’s situation, it won’t stand in the way of price hikes.”
It’s an ironic turn in a case that dates back to 2011, when Swatch Group first approached Comco about a reduction in supply.
At that time, many companies bemoaned Swatch’s request, which was called a “bombshell” that would surely force smaller watchmakers that were unable to find alternative movement sources out of business.
Now,
it seems, there are too many movements, between all the companies that started cranking them out when a reduction in Swatch supply became imminent and the slowdown in demand for Swiss watches worldwide.
Swatch Group said Friday that it has no further comment on Comco’s ruling.
Swatch Group said Friday that it has no further comment on Comco’s ruling.
More on Watches
The Latest
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
