- Business
- The Swatch Group AG (SWGAF) manufactures and distributes finished watches, jewelry, watch movements, and components as the world's largest watch producer; it supplies nearly all components for its 17 brands including Swatch, Breguet, Blancpain, Omega, Longines, Tissot, Certina, Mido, Hamilton, Rado, Glashütte Original, Jaquet Droz, Union Glashütte, Harry Winston, Balmain, and Casmir as well as multi-brand retailers Tourbillon and Hour Passion; it also produces electronic systems and operates global retail, service centers, and distribution networks. Founded in 1983 through the merger of SSIH and ASUAG and headquartered in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, the group maintains approximately 150 production sites in Switzerland for movements, cases, crystals, dials, and hands, exceeding Swiss Made criteria, while employing around 31,000 people across 50 countries with 727 subsidiaries in 42 nations including major presences in China, the United States, Germany, France, and Switzerland. The company serves diverse segments from affordable plastic timepieces to prestige luxury watches and jewelry, targeting global consumers through its vertically integrated operations in watches & jewelry and electronic systems. Recent developments include record sales and market share gains in the USA, Japan, India, and the Middle East driven by strong performances from Omega, Longines, and Tissot amid challenges in China; Breguet expansions with new boutiques in Bahrain, Wuhan SKP, and Guangzhou Taikoo Hui in China, plus relocations and renovations in Seoul, Taipei, and Japan; the 2024 Swatch Charity Program supporting music education for migrant children in Shanghai; and a main partnership with Into Film for the Every Child a Filmmaker initiative; the group anticipates substantial improvements in sales, operating results, and cash flow for 2025 supported by new products across all price segments.