Swatch
Swatch was founded in 1983 by Ernst Thomke, Elmar Mock, and Jacques Müller as a response to the “quartz crisis” of the 1970s and ’80s when inexpensive quartz watches were competing against the famous mechanical watches of European brands. Swatch is now a member of The Swatch Group, which currently owns 17 brands.
Swatch Holiday Twist Watch
HourTime Show Watch Podcast Episode 162
BEST FROM: aBlogtoWatch & Friends June 20, 2014
Swatch Sistem51 $150 Mechanical Watch To Make Its Debut In The...
Watch Winner Announced: Three Swatch Watches
LAST CHANCE: 3 Swatch Watches Giveaway
Is The Swatch Group Interested In Fighting Apple Over The iWatch...
GIVEAWAY: Three Swatch Watches For Mother’s And...
My First Grail Watch: Manuel Emch
Swatch Scuba Libre Chlorofish Watch Review
Swatch Year Of The Horse Watch For 2014
Swatch Sistem51 Under $200 Automatic Watch Now For Sale
BEST FROM: aBlogtoWatch & Friends September 27, 2013
Swatch Random Ghost SUOK111 Watch Has 15,120 Possible Dials
Originally launched as a series of fashion-forward, inexpensive plastic watches, the fundamental purpose of Swatch was to capture the market share of entry-level watch enthusiasts. Swatch also launched a return in the popularity of analog watches.
The first collection of 12 Swatch models was debuted in 1983 in Zürich, Switzerland. By 1997, the Swatch group opened about 60 stores worldwide.
Sales goals were ambitious: one million in 1983 and 2.5 million in 1984. The products were an immediate success.
Lebanese entrepreneur Nicolas G. Hayek and a group of Swiss investors took over a majority share of the company in 1985, naming the company Societe Suisse de Microelectronique et d'Horlogerie, or SMH. Hayek became chairman of the board of directors and CEO in 1986 and later changed the company's name to Swatch Group.
The Swatch Group re-solidified Switzerland as a major player in the global wristwatch market.