This is a new brand I recently discovered – I&MT – Instruments & Mesures du Temps Switzerland. Well, new to me at least! The website doesn’t have much information about the brand or who is behind it, but still worth a look as they have some rather unique watches: www.imtwatches.com. Do you know anything about this brand and who is behind it? If so please let me know! Also, I enjoy their mott/tagline – “Watchmakers + since always – ” Quite clever – love it! They have put together a neat video to feature their new “Classic Racer” watch which was released at BASELWORLD 2009. I enjoyed it and thought you would, too.

Swatch Group published its 2008 Annual Report yesterday.  Two things interesting about the cover of the report :

1) it invokes a bit of sarcastic humor by stating “Warning! This publication is not recommended for the acrobats and jugglers in today’s financial circus.” See image below and you’ll see what I am referring to. I find this statement quite ironic given that the Annual Report is first and foremost a reporting of the year’s financial performance used almost exclusively by shareholders as well as investors on Wall Street and Main Street around the world to make an informed decision as to whether or not to purchase stock in the company.  But I guess it is just Mr. Hayek’s way of taking a jab at the financial mess we are in, which I presume (and certainly hope) Swatch Group has no involvement whatsoever in – lest they look like real fools for making such a bold statement on their Annual Report cover!

Close-Up View of Swatch Group’s 2008 Annual Report Cover

and, perhaps of more interest to watch owners, collectors & enthusiasts….

2) it provides us with a chance to test their knowledge of the Swatch brands!!!  So tell me watch fans, how many of the 10 Swatch brands featured on the cover of Swatch Group’s 2008 Annual Report can you identify?

Full View of Swatch Group’s 2008 Annual Report Cover

As you probably know by now, on January 28, 2009, RBS Six Nations Rugby has announced that they have appointed Graham chronographs as the Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Graham has created a special limited edition (200 pieces) watch to commemorate this sponsorship. The watch features 1 color for each of the 6 nations on both the Graham logo and the striped dial.  The watch is titanium case, 47mm, with sapphire crystal display back.  100m water resistance.  Black rubber or black calfskin strap available.

And here’s an ad – check out the guys missing teeth!

Reuters news recently reported that Swiss-watchmaker Chopard is cutting 13 jobs at a manufacturing plant and 23 at headquarters (out of a total 1,800 staff).  36 people out of 1,800 is not severe – just 2% of the workforce.

But what caught my attention as a much more telling “sign of the times” was this statement by Chopard CEO Karl-Friedrich Schefele in an interview with Swiss newspaper L’Agefi:

“There is absolutely no visibility, one or two months at best.”

This just goes to show you that no matter how rosy or optimistic the major watch brands are spinning the state of their business, I think that there are some very worrisome signs within the industryright now.

What do you think?

Originally reported at:  http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2009/03/09/afx6141909.html

With further commentary at: http://www.luxist.com/2009/03/12/chopard-to-cut-jobs-on-low-sales-forecasts/