Swatch has pledged to create 500 new jobs in Switzerland this year, while Richemont, the world's second largest luxury goods company, has said it plans to create up to 2,000 jobs over two years, but finding qualified staff in such numbers could prove a headache.In 2011, the number of trainees enrolling at Switzerland's seven watchmaking schools, though up 9 per cent to a new record, was still only 425. Only 330 qualified watchmakers graduated. And with Swiss unemployment at just 3.1 per cent, compared with 10.9 per cent in the euro zone, there is no untapped reservoir of likely local candidates.
Richemont said earlier this month it would invest 100 million francs in a training centre near Geneva. It also plans to recruit two-thirds of workers for its new Cartier jewellery production site from neighbouring France.The silence of deep concentration hangs over the WOSTEP workshop, where the students, clad in blue overalls, hone their precision skills, a watchmaker's loupe magnifying lens strapped to their eyes. With rows of tools lined up on the benches, the dusty workshop seems a world away from the glitzy watch fairs where their handiwork might one day command a prince's ransom.
Learning to produce some of the 130 complex components that make up a mechanical watch is all the more pressing now Swatch has decided to cut deliveries of parts.Describing itself as the "supermarket" for components, Swatch has said it wants to force competitors to invest in their own production and choke off supplies to Asia, where they might be used to make fake Swiss products.Some of Swatch's customers have taken legal action, saying the measures were jeopardizing their growth and threatening jobs. But WOSTEP's Pieters disagrees, arguing the decision will encourage brands to deepen their own watchmaking know-how.
"Do you think it would be normal for Ferrari to supply engines to Lamborghini?" he asked.The move follows amendments to the laws on what constitutes a Swiss made product. The Swiss lower house of parliament has voted that 60 per cent of the production and costs of industrial products should be in Switzerland, in a bid to stop foreign competitors free-riding on the country's reputation for quality with cheaper imitations.The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH) backs more stringent rules, arguing the trademark is vital for securing jobs and preserving quality."(Watch firms) are having to increase prices on the market,IWC discount watches can just enable them to have the opportunity to style the luxury and fulfill their need. Top quality discount D&G watches are taken specifically care to create confident that they function exact appear and top craftsmanship. They are able to fool most people's eyes even those folks who know well concerning the authentic kinds. but this could be detrimental to competitiveness. Or they have to reduce margins, which is not positive for development. Today's margins are tomorrow's investments," he said.Other than that, can be maintained longer. Many women love discount Maurice Lacroix watches decorated with precious stones engraved gold or silver, diamonds, etc. These discounted watches are much more elegant in appearance of traditional watch making. In fact, fashion watches are always ahead of the clocks at low prices, because we all know that fashion trends change all the time.
