The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1877-02-15
MATCHMAKING IN AMERICA.
TESTIMONY OF @BE SWISS -AMKa-
IcAN SUPERIOR TO FoRElex WATCHES.

Mr.. Eiouard Favre Perret, Swiss Commits
slOner to the Centennial Exhibition, and
member OF the International Jury on watches;
has given the results Of his observations on
American watch making in public address
at Chaux defends, Locle and Neuchatel.
Being himself large watch manufacturer,
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
BesangOn, by which the French market for
watches was lost to Switzerland, he spoke
substantially as follows:
For long time America has been the prin.
cipal 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 NeuchateI studying
our mode of manufacturing, seeking to in
form himself of everything, and carefully
noting the weak points in our industry. Al
ter his return to the United States, in 1854,
he founded factory at BostOn-"The BOs-
ton Watch Company" The capital, scarcely
$lOO.0c0, was subscribed by capitalists more
than by practical business men. In the begin
ming the company turned out onlv the rough
skeleton movement and attended TO the fin
ishiDg; all. other parts, such as trains, bal
ances, jewels, &c, were imported from Swift
zerland. Little by little, however, the fac
tory extended its operations and produced
other parts But as the profits were small,
the capitalists abandoned il and i. failed in
1856.
Another American, Mr.. Robbins, scented
a good speculation and bought the factory
and tools for So, 09O. \ new COMPANY, The
American Watch Company was formed,
with a capital of 100000, which was in.
creased TO $500, 0C0 before the war which put
on foot million OF soldiers, and as every
one wanted watch, there was great ami
nation in the watch business. At this June
ture, which might have heen lucky one for
our industry, We failed to comprehend our
real interests. Instead OF sending good
watcher to the Americans, the worst trash
was sent. The Americans, however, went to
work on an entirely different plan. The COM
panv increased their plant and turned cut
better ordinary watch than the Swiss watch.
At the end of several Years the American
watch enjoyed good reputation, while ours
was diScredited everywhere. In 1875, the
capital was increased 10 $50 600, and the
operations Of the company grew to immense
proportions. The Walthum company give
employment to 900 wOrkmen and make
about 425 movements per day. They have
again increased their capital. till it amounts
to 81 100000, besides $&CO, GOO as q reserve
fund. This watch factory is real power;
there is none like It in Europe. We have seen
it in all its details, and We have admired its
splendid organization.
Last Nav, on the eve of the Exhibition, we
still seemed masters of the situation: One
event, however dealt US a mortal blow. The
Waltham Company announced reduction Of
from 40 to 50per cent. on prices already lower
than their rivals the reduction TO date back
&c 70 Tal1
YOU, gentlemen, how very detrimental this
was to the Swiss watch. Still another and
/ more important reason explains the growing
| prosperity of the American Company. Their
! tolls work so regularly, that all parts of the
watch may be interchanged, by simple or.
der on a postal card, without necessitating
the forwarding of the adjoining pieces.
The question has often been asked, can the
Americans sufficiently supply the demand Of
their markets? Yes, they can: we are driven
out of the American markets In 1850 the
American Companies produced only 1900
watches To-day, they produce 100000. which
can easily be doubled. We sent to the United
States in 1872, 800, 900 watches. In 1876 we
shall barely send - 900 watches. The Amer
, leans have already begun to send their manu-
facture TO Europe. In England they sell an
nuallv from 10000 to 10000 watches. The
American watch commences to drive from
the English marketthe Swiss watch and even
the English watch. The Americans began by
creating a demand for their goods in the In.
| dies and in Australia, and then-thanks to
some powerful importing houSes-they in
vaded England. At Moscow and ST. Peters
hnrph they have established important
branch offices. Their aim is TO dive Us first
ont OF their own country, and then to COM
nete with us on our own soil. sincerely
! confess that personally have doubted that
connection. But now have seen-I have
felt it-and am terrified by the danger to
which our industry is exposed. Besides, | anu
not the only one 10 think so; the SOciete In
tercantonale have senta delegate to make
inauires. and his report perfectly agrees with
mine. ITD to this verv day we have believed
America to be dependent upon Europe. We
have heen mistaken. The Americans will
81 nd us their products since we cannot send
tbem our own. Their importation isnot con-
6med to watches alone. Already America
has commenced to send cotton goods to En-
Gland which has hitherto mOnOpOliZed that
srticIp in the markets OF the world.
! Can the Americans maintain their prices
Va, thew can, for if they obtain good profit
On their superior quality goods, they can At
ford 10 be satisfied with smaller prOht on
the lower grades Of watches In America
everything is made by machinery; here We
make everything by hand. In Switzerland
about 10000 WoFkmeD make, on an average
each 40 watches per annum. In the unitec
States, the average is about LOO WatGheS
Therefore the machinery produces thFe'
ana half to four times more man the work
men.
Had the Philadelphia Exhihiaon takaa Flse
I've years ago We should haVs RssS FPe"lF