Well, my thoughts are that it's about time that we overthrow the king (aka Swatch/ETA/Richemont/LVMH).
This monopolization of watch companies & watch parts is disturbing. It reminds me of how Swatch/Richemont came to own most small watchmaking firms in the first place: terror tactics.
Read on:
It was the early 1970s. Quartz was introduced. Mechanicals faced being outdated quickly. Tissot came up with the Astrolon plastic mechanical movement as a cheapo way to mass produce mechanical movements... But Quartz eclipsed it and the Astrolon vanished... What happened next was disturbing.
Richemont & others ganged up on most Swiss cottage industry watch firms and point blank said (during the massive recession era of the lurid 1970s) that they would buy them out because Quartz will beat them to a pulp. Well, mechanicals were a dying art, and indeed Quartz was cornering the market - the future looked grim.
So, one by one, these little companies began to face bankruptcy. So, accepting the low-ball offer(s) from Richemont & gang was the only alternative.
Who has the last laugh now!
In any event, I am all for "others" to step up to the plate and come through with intelligent, innovative and cost-effective movements.
Like I said, it's time to overthrow the king. The future looks to be up for grabs. China has serious quality/morality control issues with all of their industries. In due time, attrition/Darwinian natural selection shall weed out the false positives. For the time being, we can be excited at those that uncompromisingly think outside of the box and who are sticklers to true quality & integrity. Remember, only the strongest & most clever in the end survive; and but those who are a clear cut above the rest thrive...