The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-01-11
Matchmaking in America.

NO CafQS.
Matchmaking in America.
Testimony Of the Swiss ommissioner.-Amsr-
lean Superior to Foreign Watches.
NJ. Edouard Favre Perret, Swiss
Commissioner to the Centennial Exhi-
bition, and member of the Internation-
al Jury on watches, has given the re-
suit of his observations on American
matchmaking in public address at
Chaux-de-F Fonds, Loolo aud Neuchatel.
Being himself large watch manufac.
turer, his statements made a profound
impression in Switzerland, and will be
read with the liveliest interest in this
country. After sketching the growth
of matchmaking in Besancon, by which
the French market for watches was
lost to Switzerland, he spoke substan.
TALLY as follows:
''For long time America has been
the principal market for our watches.
To-day we must earnestly prepare to
struggle with the Americans on the
fields where hitherto we have been
the masters. Mr.. Dennison, the father
of American matchmaking, travelled
through the canton of Neuchatel,
studying our mode Of manufacturing,
seeking to inform himself of every
thing, and carefully noting the weak
points in our industry. After his re-
turn to the United States, in 1854, he
founded a factory at Boston-''The
Boston Watch Company" The capi.
tai, scarcely 100000, was subscribed
by capitalists more than by practical
business men. In the beginning, the
company turned out only the roagh
skeleton movement and attended to
the finishing; all other parts, such rs
trains, balances jewels, &C., were
imported from Switzerland. Little by
little, however, the factory extended
its operations and produced other
parts. But Us the profits were small.
the capitalists abandoned it, and il:
failed in 1856.
| Another American, Mr.. Robbins.
scented good speculation and bought
the factory and tools for $4,000. A
new company, "The American Watch
Company was formed, with capital
VI WAOV>VOOs OA4CA WdS 1uCACdoCu W
100000 before the war which put on
foot a million Of soldiers, aud as every
one wanted a watch, there was great
animation in the watch business. At
this juncture, which might have been
a lucky one for our industry, we fail
cd to comprehend our real interests.
Instead of sending good watches to the
Americans, the worst trash was sent.
The Americans, however, went to
work on an entirety different plan.
The company increased their plant and
turned out q better ordinary watch
than the Swiss watch. At the end of
several years the American watch en-.
joyed a good reputation, while ours
were discredited everywhere. In 1865,
the capital was increased to $3.50 900,
and the operations of the company
grew to immense proportions. The
Waltham company give employment to
900 workmen and make about 425 move
ments per day. They have again in
eased their capital, till it amounts to
$i SOC, 900, beside $500, 900 as reserve
fund. This watch factory is a real
over there is none like it in Europe.
We have seen it in all it's details, and
we have admired its splendid organi-
Zati0n.
Last May, on the eve of the Exhibi.
ton, we still seemed masters of the
situation. One event, however, dealt
US a mortal blow. The Waltham com.
pany announced a reduction of from 40
to SO per cent. on prices already lower
than their rivals, the reduction to date
back to January l, 1876. 1t is unne.
cessary to tell you, gentlemen, how
very detrimental this was to the Swiss
| watch. Still another and more impor-
tant reason explains the growing pros.
perity of the American Company.
Their tools work so regularly, that all
parts Of the watch may be inter.
changed, by simple order on postal
card, without ::ecessitating the for.
warding of the adjoining piece.
The question lI,s often been asked.
can the Americans sufficiently supply
the demand OF their markets? Yes,
they can: we art driven out Of the
| American market. In 1860 the Amer
lean companies produced only $1,000
watches. To-day they produce ESQ 900.
which can be easily doubled. We sent
to the United States in 1872, 3G6, 900
watches. In 1876 we shall barely send
them Is, 900 watches. The Americans
have already begun to send their man.
ufacture to Europe. In England they
sell annually from 10000 to 10000
watches. The American watch COM
mences to drive from the Englis!, mar
ket the Swiss watch and even the Eng.
lish watch.
The Americans began by creating a
demand for their goods in the Indies
and Australia, and then-tbanks to
some powerful importing houses
they invaded England. At Moscow
and St. Petersburgh they have al eady
established important branch Offices.
Their aim is to drive us first out of
their own country, and then to COM
pete with us in our own soil. I sim
cerely confess that personally have
doubted that competition. But nov
I have seen-I have felt it-and l am
terrified by the danger to which our
industry is exposed. Besides, l am
not the only one to think SO: the So.
ciete 1ntercantonale have sent dele
gate to make inquiries, and his report
perfectly agrees with mine. Up to
this very day have believed Amer
ica to be dependent upon Europe. We
have been mistaken. The Americans
will send us their product since we
cannot send them our own. Their i'm
p0rtation is not confined to watches
alone. Already America has CON-
menced to send cotton goods to Eng
land, which hitherto monopolized that
article in the markets of the world.
| Can the Americans maintain their