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The man who revolutionised watch marketing

This content was published on Jun 30, 2010 Launched in 1983, the Swatch has gone on to become a global phenomenon. The inexpensive, classic wristwatch, produced in endless bright, snazzy designs, has even become a cult collectors’ item. Hayek, the Swatch founder who died of heart failure on June 28 at the age of 82, was known to wear several timepieces on each…

Swatch keeps leadership in the family

This content was published on Jun 30, 2010 Control of the world’s largest watch manufacturer will remain firmly in family hands as expected, with Nick Hayek – son of Nicolas G – remaining as chief executive. The family also controls 41 per cent of shares. Share prices rallied on the news of Nayla Hayek’s elevation from group vice-chair. She had been on the…

Watch industry braces for life without Hayek

This content was published on Jun 29, 2010 The consensus is that Hayek’s rescue work was complete, putting the industry on a safe footing and his own company, Swatch Group, in a commanding position. But the charismatic innovator might be missed in the event of another crisis. The Swiss watch industry as a whole appears to have weathered the latest economic crisis with…

Nicolas Hayek, a look back

This content was published on Jun 29, 2010 The patriarch of the Swiss watch industry, Nicolas G. Hayek, passed away on June 28, 2010, at the age of 82. He was the founder and most recently the chairman of the Swatch Group, and was often cited as the saviour of the Swiss watchmaking industry. (Pictures: RDB and Keystone)

Will Swiss industrial production leak abroad?

This content was published on Jun 29, 2010 Several experts are predicting a relocation of Swiss factories and workforce as consumer demand grows in Asia, the strong franc hits domestic margins and some firms simply outgrow their home country. A recent report by global consultancy Booz and Company and the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce found that Swiss manufacturing enjoyed a boom period between…

Fewer animals used for testing

This content was published on Jun 29, 2010 The Veterinary Office said that of the 760,104 animals used, nearly four-fifths were rodents – mice, rats, hamsters and guinea pigs – and eight per cent were birds. Nearly half of animal experiments are carried out by industry, with universities and hospitals responsible for a third. A decrease was registered in almost all the sectors…

Media bid farewell to watch industry’s “messiah”

This content was published on Jun 29, 2010 Several papers devoted their entire front pages to Hayek, a dual Swiss-Lebanese national who is credited with reinventing the Swiss watch industry in the 1980s with the introduction of his cheap and colourful timepieces. Le Temps newspaper gave over its first three pages to the man. Its editorial commented that Hayek had “pushed the great…

Time stops for Swatch founder

This content was published on Jun 29, 2010 Hayek was the founder and most recently the chairman of the Swatch Group, the number one manufacturer of finished watches in the world. He was often cited as the saviour of the Swiss watchmaking industry. Hayek died “completely unexpectedly while working for his beloved Swatch Group”, the company announced on Monday evening. Considered one of…

Transitions

This content was published on Jun 28, 2010 In between there was a steep abandoned trail through lush forests, bushwhacking through flowering knee-high rhododendrons, alpine meadows and rocky ridges. It wasn’t exactly easy. We felt the heaviness of our packs filled with mountaineering gear while scrambling up steep and terribly loose ridges and steep snowfields, too. We were planning to go my usual…

High street prices unaffected by weak euro

This content was published on Jun 28, 2010 Research has shown that Swiss shoppers still have to pay substantially more than European counterparts despite the euro losing ground to the franc for several months. Traders have blamed this on the rising cost of raw materials. Switzerland has traditionally been known as a high price island for consumers thanks to a higher earning potential…

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The man who revolutionised watch marketing

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Swatch keeps leadership in the family

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Watch industry braces for life without Hayek

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Nicolas Hayek, a look back

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Will Swiss industrial production leak abroad?

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Fewer animals used for testing

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Media bid farewell to watch industry’s “messiah”

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Time stops for Swatch founder

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Transitions

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High street prices unaffected by weak euro

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