The Swatch Group SA

Many people know the Swatch Group above all as the world's top producer of finished watches. What is less well known is that the Swatch Group is a vertical enterprise in the watch production business, with the capability to manufacture all the necessary components for the production of both mechanical and quartz watches.

Swatch Group at a Glance

Swatch Group is an international group active in the design, manufacture and sale of finished watches, jewelry, watch movements and components.

Swatch Group supplies nearly all components required by its 18 watch brands, and Swatch Group companies supply movements and components to third-party watchmakers in Switzerland and around the world. Please be sure to visit our brands' websites to learn more about their fantastic products.

Swatch Group is also a key player in the manufacture and sale of electronic systems used in watchmaking and other industries.

Corporate Responsibility at Swatch Group

Swatch Group Environmental Policy

The requirements of the Swatch Group environmental policy of the last several years can be summarized under the following headings:

– the conservation of the natural environment and its resources;
– the production of ecologically sound products by the most efficient means;
– the use of raw materials, energy resources and water in moderation;
– the avoidance of unnecessary waste;
– and the use of auxiliary materials that respect the environment.

Swatch Group Social Policy

Fundamental principles

The Swatch Group is aware that its performance depends heavily on the quality and commitment of its employees. It needs people who are motivated and effective, and it knows that, in return, it must offer them a social package that makes it a competitive and attractive employer, capable of recruiting and retaining the best personnel worldwide.

Employment
Swatch Group is one of the foremost employers in Switzerland in terms of providing apprenticeships. It offers a large number of permanent jobs, including to employees who have reached retirement age.

Training
The Swatch Group actively participates in the ongoing training of its executives and specialists by organizing a large number of courses each year.

Working conditions
The working conditions of the Group’s Swiss companies are very largely governed by a collective agreement entered into with the trades unions. The present agreement came into effect on 1 January 2017 for a duration of five years.
The Group maintains good relations with the trades unions, in a spirit of openness.

Working pensions
In Switzerland, Swatch Group employees enjoy excellent retirement benefits. In the interests of fairness, the Group is endeavoring to give the employees of non-Swiss subsidiaries retirement packages that are as comparable as possible to those available to its employees working in Switzerland.

Information and consultation for employees in European Union countries
In 1996, the Swatch Group introduced a staff information and consultation procedure in compliance with European directive 94/45/EU (art. 13). In line with this directive, the representatives of the various group subsidiaries located within the European Union are to be informed of the main developments and events within the Group. The meetings take place alternately at one of the European subsidiaries and in Switzerland.

Statement on the Modern Slavery Act
Here you can download the Swatch Group's statement on its efforts against slavery and human trafficking, made in compliance with section 54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Swatch Group, Production

The Swatch Group occupies a major position in the production and supply of watches, movements and components. With 156 production centers, it is the world’s largest watch producer. Not only does it manufacture and assemble all the models sold by its 18 brands and its two multi-brand retail companies; it also supplies parts and components to the entire watchmaking industry. The Swatch Group’s strength lies in the fact that, taken together, its production companies supply virtually all the components for the Group's timepieces, from design right through to assembly. This ensures the integrity of the vertical manufacturing structure; it also guarantees the strength and credibility of each of the Group's brands, and of the products sold in the Tourbillon and Hour Passion boutiques.

Moreover, since 2000 the Swatch Group has added new jewelry services to its existing watchmaking production: these range from jewelry design for some of its brands through to sales, encompassing all stages of production.

Innovation Powerhouse

Swatch Group, Electronic Systems

The electronic components and systems companies of the Swatch Group ( EM Microelectronic, Micro Crystal and Renata ) take full advantage of their technical, cultural and geographical proximity. The aggregated power of their individual areas of expertise gives these companies a significant advantage to gain supplementary market shares, especially when they address common markets such as automotive, consumer or industrial electronics.

Customers are increasingly looking for complete modules and solutions, expecting not only engineering know-how, but also the most cost effective manufacturing solution. Fully aware of the market expectations, the Swatch Group Electronic Systems members proactively refine and improve the mix of competencies, seamlessly bridging the components and systems levels.

In addition, Swiss Timing continues to apply its expertise in sports event timing, and in processing the data produced by time and points measurement in the field of sport. The company occupies a leading position in this segment, operating notably at the world’s premier sporting events.

Swatch Group, Corporate

The Swatch Group includes within its organization several general service (corporate) companies that carry out work on behalf of all the Group’s brands and production companies.

Each of these is allocated global tasks relating to research and development into new products and manufacturing methods; the design and construction of watches, jewelry, and even electronic systems; watch and jewelry packaging; distribution methods; organizing worldwide after-sales service for all brands; quality standards and reference criteria governing product manufacture, assembly and shipping; product legislative conformance tracking; patent applications; sales force training; real estate and factory management; raw material utilization right through to its processing after utilization in conformance with the applicable environmental protection legislation; plus numerous other tasks.