0024watchworld.com

Watchprint, a Swiss publisher of publications on jewellery and watches, has published a new book, titled ‘Caliber 2755’, with as subtitle ‘Vacheron Constantin’, the maker of this famous caliber.
The book tells the story of Caliber 2755, which features a minute repeater, a tourbillon and a perpetual calendar: its development and the emotions of the watchmakers who made it. Of course, the caliber is described in detail.

How many people want the same car as their neighboor? Personally I know of nobody. I do however know people who would like the same brand of car, however different model. Also bigger, faster and something that signals that you earn 100 Euro more an hour than him.

In 2008 between 75 and 80% of all mechanical movements used in Switzerland were made by the Swatch Group (ETA, Nouvelle Lémania, Frédéric Piguet) and the famous ETA 2824 on its own had a market share of 27.5%. And when we forget Rolex (which makes its own movements), the dominance by Swatch was even greater: almost 90%. And Swatch is also a major player on the field of other watch components, like springs and watch hands. In 2009 Nicolas G. Hayek (1928-2011) dropped a bombshell when he announced that the Swatch Group was taking steps to reduce or even stop selling movements to third parties (companies not part of the Swatch Group). The result was a storm of protest. Complaints were lodged with Comco (Commission de la Concurrence) that Swatch was abusing its dominant market position, while Comco was already investigating complaints about ‘unfair price increases’ by ETA.

IWC Schaffhausen announced a new global partnership with the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team. The Swiss watch manufacturer embarks on a three-year term as Official Engineering Partner of the team, beginning in January 2013. When IWC Schaffhausen and AMG, the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz, signed a long-term partnership agreement in 2004, their cooperation was founded on a shared commitment to pushing back the boundaries of mechanics and high technology.