Swiss competition authority WEKO has formally declined to investigate allegations over the supply of spare parts for independent watch repair shops. Watchmakers running independent repair shops have been alleging that they do not get all the parts they want to replace defective parts in the watches; these watch parts arrive late or do not arrive altogether. The move is being considered a deliberate act to discourage independent watch repair shops to promote the respective company’s service centers.
While declining, WEKO cited a separate European Commission investigation for Swatch, LVMH, and Richemont and found that their service-after-sales agreements were not unfair and didn’t abuse market dominance. WEKO also mentioned an appeal that was rejected by the EU court. “No elements could be identified that would point to a conclusion that would differ from the one arrived at by the EU,” WEKO further quoted in a statement.
Leave A Comment