The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-01-11
MATCHMAKING In AMERICA,
TESTIMONY OF HI SWISS COMMISSIONER
AMERICAN SUPERIOR TO FOREIGN
WATCuEc

WATCHES.
NJ. Edouard Favre Perret, Swiss Commits
Ioner to the Centennial Exhibition, and
lember of the International Jury on
has given the results of his obser-
atoms on American Matchmaking in a
ublic address at Chaux-de-Fonds, Locle
Neuchatel. Being himself a large watch
manufacturer, his statements made a pro.
ound impression in Switzerland, and will
re read with the ~liveliest interest in this
After sketching the growth of
in Besancon, by which the
market for watches was lost to Swift
he spoke substantially as follows:
For a long time America has been the
market for our watches. To-day
must earnestly prepare to struggle with
the Americans on the fields where hitherto
have been the masters. Mr.. DennIson,
the father of American matchmaking, trav-
eled through the canton of Neuchatel, study
our mode of manufacturing, seeking to
inform himself of everything, and carefully
noting the weak points in our industry.
After his return to the United States, in
1854, he founded a factory at Boston--"The
Boston Watch Company" The capital,
scarcely 100000, was subscribed by capt.
talists more than by practical business men.
In the beginning the company turned out
only the rough skeleton movement and at
tended to the finishing; all other parts,
such as trains, balances, jewels, &c, were
imported from Switzerland. Little by little,
however, the factory extended its operations
and produced other parts. But as the profits
were small, the capitalists abandoned it and
it failed in 1856.
Another American, Mr.. Robbins, scented
a good speculation and bought the factory
and tools for $75,0 900. Anew company, "The
American Watch Company" was formed,
with a capital of 100000, which was in
creased to $300,000 before the war, which
put on foot a million of soldiers, and, as
every one wanted a watch, there was great
animation in the watch business. At this
juneture, which might have been a lucky
n for our industry, we failed to compre-
bend our real interests. Instead of sending
good watches to the Americans, the worst
trash was sent. The Americans, however,
went to work on an entirely different plan.
The company increased their plant and
turned out a better ordinary watch
than the Swiss watch. At the end
of several years the American watch
enjoyed a good reputation, while ours
were disregarded everywhere. In 1865
the capital was increased to $780, 00, land the
operations of the company grew to immense
proportions. Inc Ndilndu COMPANY give
employment to 900 workmen and make
about AS movements per day. They have
again increased their capital, till it amounts
to 81, 500, 900, besides $4,000 as a reserve
fund. This watch factory is a real power
there is none like ii in Europe. We have seer
it in all its details, and we have admitted it
splendid organization.
Last May, on the eve of the Exhibition
we still seemed masters of the situation
One event, however, dealt us a morta
blow. The Waltham Company announced
a reduction of from 40 to so per cent
on prices already lower than thei
rivals, the reduction to date back II
January 1, 1876. 1t is unnecessary to tel
you, gentlemen, how very detrimental thi
was to the Swiss watch. Still another an
more important reason explains the CROWN
prosperity of the American Company. Thei
tools work so regularly, that all parts of tn
watch may be interchanged, by a simpl
order on a postal card, without necessitatin
the forwarding of the adjoining piece.
The question has often been asked, can tn
Americans sufficiently supplyth the demand
their markets? Yes, they can: we are drive
out of the American market. In 1860 tn
American Companies produced only 1900
watches. To-day, they produce $50, 90,
+ which can be easily doubled. We sent to tn
t United States in 1872, 100000 watches. l
{ 1876 we shall barely send them 1890
watches. The Americans have already b.
gun to send their manufacture to Europ,
In England they sell annually from 10000
. $4,000 watches. The American watch con
, mences to drive from the English mark,
the Swiss watch and even the English watcl
The Americans began by creating a deman
for their goods in the Indies and in Australil
and then, thanks to some powerful impor
f ing houses, they invaded England. At Mo
cow and st. Petersburgh they have alread
S established important branch offices. The
: aim Isl to drive us first out of their own coul
r try, and then to compete with us on our ow
soil. l sincerely confess that l PERSONAL
+ have doubted that competition. But now
( have seen-I have felt it-and I 81
. terrified by the danger to which our indu
try is exposed. Besides, l am not the onl
e one to think SO; the Seciete I~ntercantona
d have sent a delegate to make inquiries, an
r his report perfectly agrees with mine. U
s to this very day we have believed Amerit
o to be dependent upon Europe. We ha,
n been mistaken. The Americans will sen
C us their products since we can not ser
e them our OWE. Their importation is n
confined to watches alone. Already Anne
e lea has commenced to SEND cotton goods
l. England, which hitherto m~onopolized tn
article in the markets of the world.
a Can the Americans maintain their pric
VI Yes, they can, for if they obtain a GO
d profit on their superior quality goods, tn
can afford to be satisfied with a small
If profit on the lower grades of watches.
America, everything is made by machiner,
" here we make everything by hand.
g Switzerland about 10000 workmen make,
D. an average, each 40 watches per annum.
IS the United States, the average is about l
rs watches. Therefore the machinery produc
,e three and a half to four times more that t
lie workmen.
h Had the Philadelphia Exhibition tax
j. place five years later, We should have be
III totally annihilated without knowing when
n, nor how we received the terrible blow. '
as have believed ourselves masters of t
as situation, when we really have been OF
,g volcano. And, to-day, we must actua
lg struggle if we do not want to encounter,
es ali the markets, that rival manufacture. F
70 a long time we lave hoped that the custoi
lg duties, amounting to 20 per cent, mig
is be reduced. We canno count upon
lie America needs all her resources, a
IS, whether Democrats or Republicans be
en- power, we can not hope for a reduction
m import duties. We must, therefore, ma
up our mind to lose the American mark
1t has been complacently said, that t
AucIlCduo uO hOb manu- IL ChtllC wan
but are dependent upon Switzerland
several parts of the watch. This is a N
take. The Waltham Company make I
entire watch from the first screw to the C,
" and dial. 1t would even be difficult
them to use our products, SO great lis
n regularity, SO minute the precision W
/. which their machines work.
They arrive at the regulation of
watches--to say--withOut having seen
r. When the watch is given to the adjuster,
foreman delivers to him the correspond
~ h~air.spring, and the watch is regulat
OF TSensation among the audience. Here
IN what l have seen, gentlemen! l asked fir
=. the director of the Waltham Compan,
&C. watch of the fifth grade. A large safe
OF opened before me; at | took a wa
te out of it and fastened it to my cha
The director having asked me to
Vi him have the watch for two or three days,
lis as to observe its motion, l answered, I"
the contrary, l persist in wearing it just
it is to obtain an exact idea of your ma
ny f~acture." At Paris, set my watch by a r
ge ulator on the Boulevard, and on the sil
day | observed that it mad varied thirty-t
seconds! And this watch is of the fl
III, American grade; it cos seventy-fve fran
he movement without case. On my arrival
in Locle l showed the watch to one of our f
adjusters, who asked permission to take
IT. downfall is, 10 take it to pieces. |, hC
ks ever, wished first to observe it, and here