S.O.S Watchmakers
For some months now, our magazine and our Blog (see the post S.O.S. Watchmakers and its many comments) give space to the ongoing controversy between Italian and European watch repairers (underline European, because it seems that the situation is different in the United States) and watch manufacturers.
Since the 1990s, watch manufacturers have gradually stopped supplying watch spare parts to unauthorised service centres, forcing many craftsmen to scamper to keep their business running or, in the worst case scenario, to close shop for good.
This situation also affects simple enthusiasts, as it effectively prevents them from continuing to rely on their trusted watchmaker, having to go to a manufacturer's dealer for every service, repair or overhaul.
Now, through the voice of Pierluigi Doni, trade representative at Confartigianato, watch repairers are asking for the support of watch owners and enthusiasts in order to pursue their appeal more forcefully at the European institutions. I reproduce Pieluigi Doni's intervention below and I extend an invitation to all frequenters of the blog to take part in the debate. Is it right for manufacturers to protect their own interests and their customers even if this means putting an entire category of workers in difficulty? Is it a consumer's right to be able to choose who to entrust the maintenance of their timepieces to, at the price they consider fairest, taking the risk themselves of assessing the skill or otherwise of the craftsman?
The manufacturers are starting to respond (an interview with the head of the Patek Philippe Italy Service Centre will appear in the next issue of L'OROLOGIO). We await the voice of enthusiasts.
Pierluigi Doni has the floor:
Dear Dr. Giussani,
I read yet another piece of writing from a fellow watchmaker reiterating the difficulty and frustration of doing our job. What puzzles me is that I see no comments from readers/customers; is it possible that they are all resigned and accept the blackmail of the parent companies as a given? Are they all willing to spend considerably high sums and wait for months for the repaired watch to return? Do they all accept that they cannot have direct contact with the watchmaker who will take care of their watch? If there is any dissatisfaction, I would like it to be made known in writing that would strengthen (and here I also respond to those colleagues who say that something needs to be done legally, perhaps they are not aware of it) our complaint via CEAHR to the General Commission for Free Competition in Brussels (see L'OROLOGIO no. 162-163).
We would also like to know in all sincerity what idea your readers have of independent watchmakers.
While waiting for answers, I greet you and all your readers.
Cordially
Pierluigi Doni
