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industry_consolidation [04.07.2022 02:55] (current) stephen
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 +====== Industry consolidation ======
 +
 +{{wst>author|[[Foskett, Stephen|Stephen Foskett]] ([[https://grail-watch.com/|Grail Watch]])}}
 +
 +The watch industry has dramatically consolidated during the 20th century to just a few [[watch group]]s. There were waves of consolidation in the 1930s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, all of which resulted in a few companies ([[Swatch Group]], [[Richemont]], [[LVMH]], [[Kering]], and so on) controlling most of the Swiss and European watch industry. Similar consolidation occurred in Japan, where [[Seiko Group]] and [[Citizen Holdings]] own much of the industry, and in America, which is dominated by [[Movado Group]].
 +
 +===== Early Watchmaking Unions =====
 +
 +==== 1857 ====
 +
 +  * The Société des Fabricants et Négociants d'Horlogerie ("Society of Watch Manufacturers and Traders") is founded in Saint-Imier
 +
 +==== 1869 ====
 +
 +  * September 2 - The Association Boîtes de Montres ("Association of Watch Case Assemblers") is established in La Chaux-de-Fonds, serving Neuchâtel, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle, Tramelan, Franches-Montagnes, Bienne, La Neuveville, and the Saint-Imier valley
 +  * Société des Repasseurs, Remonteurs, Faiseurs d'Échappements Visiteurs en Horlogerie ("Society of Ironers, Reassemblers, and Adjusters of Escapements") is founded in Saint-Imier
 +  * Société des Graveurs et Guillocheurs ("Society of Engravers and Guillocheurs") is founded in Saint-Imier
 +  * Société des Faiseurs de Ressorts ("Society of Springmakers") is founded in Saint-Imier
 +
 +==== 1871 ====
 +
 +  * Société des Monteurs de Boîtes de Montres ("Society of Watch Case Assemblers") is founded in Courtelary
 +
 +==== 1874 ====
 +
 +  * Association Monteurs de Boîtes ("Association of Watch Case Assemblers") is established in Saint-Imier
 +  * November 22 - Société des Ouvriers Faiseurs d'Échappements ("Society of Escapement Adjustment Workers")
 +
 +==== 1876 ====
 +
 +  * October 15 - Union des Ouvriers Monteurs de Boîtes ("Union of Watch Case Assembly Workers") is established in Porrentruy
 +
 +==== 1877 ====
 +
 +  * Société des Émailleurs ("Society of Enamelers") is established in Courtelary
 +
 +==== 1886 ====
 +
 +  * October 31 - Fédération des Sociétés d'Horlogerie du Jura Bernois ("Horology Federation of the Bernese Jura")
 +  * November 6 - Fédération des Ouvriers Horlogers ("Federation of Horology Workers") in Moutier
 +
 +==== 1887 ====
 +
 +  * January 23 - The Assembly of Watch Manufacturers meets in Biel decides to found the FH
 +  * March 20 - Fédération des Ouvriers Repasseurs et Rémonteurs du Jura
 +  * June 5 - The Assembly of Watch Manufacturers meets in Saint-Imier
 +  * September 11 - Porrentruy watchmakers join the FH
 +  * December 20 - Syndicat des Fabriques d'Ébauches Suisses & Françaises ("Syndicate of Ebauche Makers in Switzerland and France") is founded in Moutier
 +
 +==== 1888 ====
 +
 +  * Syndicat des Fabricants de Montres ("Syndicate of Watch Makers") is established
 +
 +==== 1888 ====
 +
 +  * December 14 - Syndicat des Fabriques d'Ébauches Suisses & Françaises ("Syndicate of Ebauche Makers in Switzerland and France") is founded in Moutier
 +
 +==== 1891 ====
 +
 +  * Syndicat des Fabricants d'Horlogerie ("Syndicate of Watch Makers")
 +  * August 27 - Syndicat des Fabriques d'Ébauches des cantons de Berne et Soleure ("Syndicate of Ebauche Makers in Berne and Soleure")
 +
 +===== The Rise of Brands =====
 +
 +==== 1889 ====
 +  * May 27 - The [[Longines]] brand is registered in Switzerland by [[Longines|Ernest Francillon & Co.]] of [[Saint-Imier]], establishing the first "[[marque de fabrique déposée]]" in watchmaking. Francillon had marked movements with "Longines" since at least [[1869]].
 +  * The [[Colombe]] brand is registered by [[Jeanneret|Alb. Jeanneret & Frères]], also of [[Saint-Imier]]
 +
 +==== 1890 ====
 +  * The [[Diana]] brand is registered by [[Jeanneret|Alb. Jeanneret & Frères]], making this the first two-marque company. They would add [[Pigeon]] later that year and [[Excelsior]] in [[1894]].
 +
 +==== 1886 ====
 +  * [[Rodolphe Uhlmann]] of [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] began using [[Colombia]], creating an early brand conflict
 +
 +==== 1893 ====
 +  * March 27 - The [[Longines]] brand is registered worldwide
 +
 +==== 1893 ====
 +  * The [[Zenith]] brand is registered
 +
 +==== 1920 ====
 +  * [[Indicateur Davoine]] lists 58 Swiss watch brands
 +
 +===== The Great Depression =====
 +
 +==== 1924 ====
 +  * January 17 - Foundation of the Swiss Watch Federation
 +
 +==== 1927 ====
 +  * The LeCoultre family form [[Société Anonyme de Produits Industriels et Commerciaux|Société Anonyme de Produits Industriels et Commerciaux (SAPIC)]] as a holding company for their watch interests, including the [[Le Sentier]] watchmaking operation that would become [[Jaeger-LeCoultre]]
 +
 +==== 1929 ====
 +  * [[Omega]] and [[Tissot]] form the [[SSIH]], the industry's first large holding company.
 +
 +==== 1930 ====
 +  * [[Lemania]] joins the [[SSIH]]. [[Lanco]], [[Cortebert]], [[Marc Favre]], [[Hamilton]], and others are added later
 +  * [[Indicateur Davoine]] lists 77 Swiss watch brands
 +
 +==== 1931 ====
 +  * [[ASUAG]] is formed by [[Ebauches SA]], along with [[A. Schild]], [[FHF]], and [[AMSA]]
 +
 +==== 1932 ====
 +  * [[Gebrüder Schild & Co]] is divided into two parts within ASUAG Watch production was reorganized as [[Eterna SA]] under General Watch Co., while the movement manufacture [[ETA|ETA SA Fabrique d'Ebauches (ETA)]] became part of [[Ebauches SA]]
 +  * [[Fleurier Watch Co.]] is split, with movements going to [[Ebauches SA]]
 +  * [[Auguste Reymond]] is split, with movements ([[Unitas]]) going to [[Ebauches SA]] and watches ([[ARSA]]) in ASUAG
 +  * [[Manzoni]], [[Moser]], and [[ED Kummer]] become part of [[Ebauches SA]]
 +  * [[Atlantic]] becomes part of ASUAG
 +
 +==== 1933 ====
 +  * [[Peseux|Peseux SA]] becomes part of [[Ebauches SA]]
 +
 +==== 1937 ====
 +  * [[SAPIC]] purchases [[Etablissements Ed. Jawger]], creating [[Jaeger-LeCoultre]]
 +  * [[SAPIC]] and [[Vacheron & Constantin]] swap shares, effectively merging the companies
 +
 +==== 1938 ====
 +  * [[Champagne]] becomes part of ASUAG
 +
 +==== 1940 ====
 +  * [[Indicateur Davoine]] lists 93 Swiss watch brands
 +
 +==== 1941 ====
 +  * [[Derby]] becomes part of [[Ebauches SA]]
 +  * [[Precimax]] and [[Gigantic]] become part of ASUAG
 +
 +==== 1942 ====
 +  * [[Glycine]] becomes part of ASUAG
 +
 +==== 1944 ====
 +  * [[Valjoux|Valljoux SA]] becomes part of [[Ebauches SA]]
 +
 +==== 1950 ====
 +  * [[Indicateur Davoine]] lists 177 Swiss watch brands
 +
 +===== From Watchmakers to Corporations =====
 +==== 1959 ====
 +  * [[Heuroplan]] is formed as a joint marketing organization for [[Cyma]], [[Eska]], [[Juvenia]], [[Movado]], and [[Nappey]]
 +
 +==== 1960 ====
 +  * April 4 - The [[Coopérative de Fabricants Suisses d'Horlogerie]] is formed to help smaller watch producers compete with [[ASUAG]] and [[Ebauches SA]]
 +  * [[Indicateur Davoine]] lists nearly 200 European watch brands
 +
 +==== 1961 ====
 +  * [[Rayville]] joins the [[SSIH]], including the [[Blancpain]] brand
 +  * [[MSR|Manufactures d'Horlogerie Suisses Réunies SA (MSR)]] is founded by [[Roland Straumann]] of [[Revue Thommen]] and includes [[Vulcain]], [[Buser]], and [[Phenix]]
 +
 +==== 1965 ====
 +  * [[Georges Ketterer]] trades his shares in [[SAPIC]] for control of subsidiary [[Vacheron & Constantin]], leaving just a small stake connecting the company to [[Jaeger-LeCoultre]], with the remaining holding company called [[SAPHIR]]
 +  * The [[Coopérative de Fabricants Suisses d'Horlogerie]] launches the shared brand [[Jaquet-Droz]], featuring watches produced by all 150 members
 +
 +==== 1966 ====
 +  * [[ASUAG]] creates [[Chronos Holding|Chronos Holding SA]], which took over the newly-defunct [[Cyma]] and [[Tavannes]] brands, as well as taking a stake in [[Gruen]]
 +  * [[Venus]] is absorbed by [[Valjoux]]
 +  * The American firm [[Hamilton]] purchases [[Büren]] of Switzerland
 +  * [[Sagiter|Société Horlogeère de Production et de Participation SA (Sagiter)]] is formed, containing brands like [[Camy]], [[Invicta]], and [[Sandoz]]
 +
 +==== 1967 ====
 +  * [[Ebauches SA]] creates [[Ebauches Electronic SA]] and begins production of [[quartz]] crystals, integrated circuits, and other [[electronic watch]] components
 +  * [[Ebauches SA]] purchases [[SEFEA]] in [[Annemasse]], [[France]] and [[Durowe]] of [[Pforzheim]], [[Germany]]
 +  * [[Economic Swiss Time Holding]] is formed as a federation of lower-priced Swiss watch manufacturers, including [[Agon]], [[Basis]], [[Buler]], and [[Ferex]]
 +
 +==== 1968 ====
 +  * ASUAG creates [[Pierre Holding SA]] in [[Bienne]] for member manufacturers of watch [[jewel]]s
 +  * [[Chronos Holding]] creates [[Synchron]], which includes [[Cyma]], [[Doxa]], and [[Ernest Borel]]
 +  * [[SGT|Société des Garde-Temps SA (SGT)]] is founded, containing [[Elgin]], [[Fleurier Watch]], [[Invicta]], [[Sandoz]], and [[Waltham]]
 +
 +==== 1969 ====
 +  * The Favre family purchases [[SAPHIR]], bringing [[Jaeger-LeCoultre]] and [[Favre-Leuba]] together under [[SAPHIR Group]]
 +  * [[Movado]] and [[Zenith]] merge as [[Movado-Zenith]]
 +  * [[Mondia]] is added to [[Movado-Zenith]], becoming [[Movado-Zenith-Mondia]]
 +  * The [[Coopérative de Fabricants Suisses d'Horlogerie]] is converted into [[Parsicor Holding]], with 135 small watch makers as members, many producing watches under the shared [[Jaquet-Droz]] brand
 +
 +==== 1970 ====
 +  * [[North American Watch Company]] acquires [[Concord]] after failing to buy [[Movado]]
 +  * [[Indicateur Davoine]] lists over 1,400 European watch brands
 +
 +==== 1971 ====
 +  * [[ASUAG]] begins the creation of [[General Watch Co.]] to manage production of complete watches. Seven companies are integrated, including [[Certina]], [[Edox]], [[Eterna]], [[Mido]], [[Oris]], and [[Technos]]. Later in 1971, General Watch Co. adds [[Longines]], owner of [[Record]] and [[Rotary]]
 +  * [[Economic Swiss Time Holding]] is integrated into the [[SSIH]], including [[AGON]], [[Buler]], [[Continental]], and [[Ferex]]
 +
 +===== The Quartz Crisis =====
 +==== 1972 ====
 +  * June - Zenith Radio Corp. purchases [[Movado-Zenith-Mondia]]
 +
 +==== 1974 ====
 +  * May 16 - [[Hamilton]] is absorbed into the [[SSIH]] after the [[Büren]] brand was retired
 +  * [[ASUAG]]'s [[General Watch Co.]] expands with five more brands acquired
 +
 +==== 1978 ====
 +  * [[Dixi Group]] purchases [[Movado-Zenith-Mondia]] from Zenith Radio Corp. [[Zenith]] and [[Movado]] become Zenith Movado Le Locle SA and [[Mondia]] is merged into [[Dixi]]
 +  * [[VDO]] purchases [[IWC]]
 +  * [[VDO]] acquires a 55% or 65% stake in [[Jaeger-LeCoultre]] from the [[SAPHIR Group]]; In the 1980s, [[Günter Blümlein]] purchases the 20% of Jaeger-LeCoultre owned by a Swiss bank and the 25% owned by [[Vacheron Constantin]]
 +  * [[Benedom]] acquires the [[Favre-Leuba]] brand from [[SAPHIR Group]]
 +  * [[Cyma]] is sold by [[Synchron]] and moved to the [[Doxa]] factory in [[Le Locle]]
 +
 +==== 1979 ====
 +  * [[Cartier Monde]] is formed as a holding company for the various Cartier businesses
 +  * [[ETA SA]] and [[A. Schild|A. Schild (AS)]] are merged to become the modern [[ETA|ETA (Fabrique d'Ebauches ETA. SA)]] and movement production is focused from 136 to just 40
 +  * [[ASULAB SA]] is founded in [[Neuchâtel]] to coordinate industrial research for the group
 +  * [[ASUAG]] becomes a majority shareholder in [[Statek Corporation USA]], which produces quartz crystals and electronic components
 +
 +==== 1980 ====
 +  * Management consultant [[Nicolas G. Hayek]] recommends that [[ASUAG]] and [[SSIH]] be combined and redundant components be spun out or shut down
 +  * [[Synchron]] is sold by [[ASUAG]], including [[Doxa]], and [[Ernest Borel]]
 +
 +==== 1981 ====
 +  * [[Jean-Claude Biver]] and [[Jacques Piguet]] purchase the [[Blancpain]] brand from [[SSIH]]
 +  * [[Lemania]] is sold by [[SSIH]] to investors
 +  * ETA is expanded to include [[ETA]]'s [[Grenchen]] operations, [[FHF]] in [[Fontainemelon]], [[EEM]] in [[Marin]], [[SEFEA]] in [[Annemasse]], [[France]] and [[Durowe]] of [[Pforzheim]], [[Germany]]
 +  * [[SAPHIR Group]], owner of [[Jaeger-LeCoultre]] and part of [[VDO]], purchases the watch and distribution rights of [[Jaeger]] of France
 +
 +==== 1982 ====
 +  * [[Oris]] is reorganized and spun-out of [[ASUAG]] in a management buy-out
 +  * [[Eterna]] is sold by [[ASUAG]] to [[Porsche Design|PCW (Porsche Design)]]
 +
 +==== 1983 ====
 +  * February - [[Movado-Zenith-Mondia|Zenith Movado Le Locle SA]] (part of [[Dixi Group]]) sells [[Movado]] to [[North American Watch Company]]
 +  * May 23 - The merger of [[ASUAG]] and [[SSIH]] is announced in a press conference
 +  * July 29 - Swiss banks take expand their stake in [[ASUAG]] from 38% to 97.5%
 +  * December - [[ASUAG]] is merged with [[SSIH]] to become [[ASUAG-SSIH]], predecessor to today's [[Swatch Group]]
 +  * [[Edox]] is spun out of [[ASUAG]] in a management buy-out
 +
 +==== 1984 ====
 +  * [[Arnault Group]] purchases [[Dior]]
 +  * [[Auguste Reymond]] is spun out of ASUAG-SSIH in a management buy-out
 +  * [[Investcorp]] acquires [[Tiffany]] for $95 million
 +  * [[Swatch SA]] is formed as a joint venture with [[ETA]] under [[ASUAG]]-[[SSIH]]
 +
 +===== The Rise of Modern Groups =====
 +==== 1985 ====
 +  * A massive reorganization of the Swiss watch industry results in the creation of [[SMH|SMH (Swiss Corporation for Microelectronics and Watchmaking Industries Ltd)]] as a holding company for ASUAG-SSIH and all of its components
 +  * [[Roamer]] is spun out of [[ASUAG]] in a management buy-out
 +
 +==== 1986 ====
 +  * [[VDO]] sells 40% of [[SAPHIR Group]] (owner of [[Jaeger-LeCoultre]]) to [[Audemars Piguet]] to raise money and strengthen ties with that brand
 +
 +==== 1987 ====
 +  * [[LVMH]] is formed as [[Louis Vuitton]] and Moët Hennessy are combined
 +  * All watchmaking components under [[Ebauches SA]] are reorganized under [[ETA]]
 +  * [[Investcorp]] acquires [[Breguet]] from [[Chaumet]]
 +  * [[Investcorp]] floats [[Tiffany]] shares in an IPO
 +  * [[Investcorp]] purchases [[Chaumet]] out of bankruptcy amid a fraud case involving the Chaumet brothers
 +
 +==== 1988 ====
 +  * April 26 - [[Cartier Monde]] acquires 60% of [[Piaget]] and [[Baume & Mercier]]
 +  * Bernard Arnault's [[Arnault Group]] initiates a hostile takeover of [[LVMH]], adding [[Dior]] to the group
 +  * [[SMH]] divests its stake in [[France Ebauches]]
 +  * [[Investcorp]] acquires half of [[Gucci]]
 +  * [[Sowind Group]] is established by [[Luigi Macaluso]] as a distributor for [[Breitling]], [[Girard-Perregaux]], and [[Hamilton]] in Italy and soon purchased a minority stake in Girard-Perregaux
 +
 +==== 1990 ====
 +  * Günter Blümlein and IWC begin working with Walter Lange to re-launch A. Lange & Söhne
 +
 +==== 1991 ====
 +  * VDO's three watch companies (IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and A. Lange & Söhne) are organized as Les Manufactures Horologes (LMH) under Blümlein
 +  * VDO is acquired by Mannesmann, which also owns Jaeger
 +  * [[SMH]] acquires [[Porta Micromechanic]] ([[PUW]] and [[Rowi]]) of Pforzheim and [[VEB Uhrenwerke Ruhla]]
 +
 +==== 1992 ====
 +  * July - [[SMH]] acquires [[Blancpain]] and [[Frédéric Piguet]]
 +  * [[Investcorp]] acquires [[Nouvelle Lemania]] as a movement partner for [[Breguet]]
 +  * [[Sowind Group]] acquires a majority stake in Lorane Holding SA, owner of [[Girard-Perregaux]]
 +
 +==== 1993 ====
 +  * Cartier Monde is renamed Vendôme Luxury Group and IPOs
 +  * October - Richemont separates its tobacco interests into Rothmans International and its luxury goods business into Vendôme, including Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Alfred Dunhill, Montblanc, Piaget, Karl Lagerfeld, Chloé, Sulka, Hackett, and Seeger
 +  * [[Investcorp]] acquires the remainder of [[Gucci]]
 +
 +==== 1994 ====
 +  * [[Investcorp]] acquires [[Ebel]] from the founding family
 +  * [[Roamer]] is purchased by [[Chung Nam]]
 +  * [[Investcorp]] renews the [[Gucci]] manufacturing license amid much public drama
 +
 +==== 1995 ====
 +  * July 30 - [[LVMH]] acquires [[Fred]] and [[Benedom]], owner of [[Favre-Leuba]] and producer of [[Dior]] and [[Céline]] watches
 +  * [[LVMH]] begins to acquire [[Gucci]] shares as a prelude to a hostile takeover
 +  * March - [[LVMH]] acquires [[Céline]]
 +  * [[Investcorp]] lists 48.2% of [[Gucci]] on the New York Stock Exchange
 +
 +==== 1996 ====
 +  * April 15 - [[North American Watch Company]] is renamed [[Movado Group]]; the group owns the [[Concord]], [[Esquire]]/[[ESQ]], and [[Movado]] brands and controls distribution of [[Piaget]] and [[Corum]]
 +  * December 12 - Vendôme acquires Vacheron Constantin
 +  * [[Investcorp]] sells most of their shares in [[Gucci]] to the public
 +
 +==== 1997 ====
 +  * Q1 - An internal audit recommends that Audemars Piguet divest of the 40% of Jaeger-LeCoultre it holds; Stephen Urquhart leaves Georges-Henri Meylan as sole CEO
 +  * Vendôme acquires Officine Panerai and Lancel
 +  * November 26 - Richemont announces that it will the remaining 30% of Vendôme
 +  * [[Movado Group]] begins producing [[Coach]] brand watches under license
 +
 +==== 1998 ====
 +  * February 19 - [[SMH]] is renamed [[Swatch Group]] on [[Nicolas Hayek]]'s 70th birthday
 +  * Richemont completes a 2-year plan to purchase the remainder of Vendôme and dissolves it
 +  * [[Sowind Group]]'s Lorane Holding, owner of [[Girard-Perregaux]], buys the 45% of [[GP Manufacture]] owned by [[Bulgari]]
 +
 +==== 1999 ====
 +  * February 4 - [[Vodafone]] acquires [[Mannesmann]] for $190 billion (the largest merger in history) and soon puts [[VDO]] (and [[LMH]]) up for sale
 +  * [[PPR]] and [[LVMH]] bid for [[LMH]]
 +  * Richemont negotiates with Audemars Piguet to purchase their 40% share of Jaeger-LeCoultre for CHF 280 million
 +  * July 21 - [[Richemont]] announces the acquisition of [[LMH]] for CHF 2.8 billion
 +  * September 10 - [[PPR]] reaches an agreement with [[LVMH]] to acquire its 34% stake in [[Gucci]], ending a long battle for the company
 +  * September 13 - [[LVMH]] acquires [[TAG Heuer]] for CHF 1.2 billion
 +  * September 14 - [[Swatch Group]] acquires [[Breguet]] and [[Nouvelle Lemania]] from [[Investcorp]] as they exit the watch business
 +  * October 20 - [[LVMH]] acquires [[Chaumet]] and [[Ebel]] from [[Investcorp]] for $460 million
 +  * November 15 - [[LVMH]] acquires [[Zenith]] from [[Dixi Group]]
 +  * [[Swatch Group]] acquires [[Léon Hatot]]
 +  * [[Richemont]] acquires part of [[Van Cleef & Arpels]]
 +  * [[Richemont]] begins divesting of Rothmans (tobacco)
 +  * [[Movado Group]] begins producing [[Tommy Hilfiger]] brand watches under license
 +
 +==== 2000 ====
 +  * April 25 - [[Swatch Group]] acquires [[Jaquet Droz]]
 +  * October 9 - [[Swatch Group]] acquires [[Glashütte Original]] and [[Union Glashütte]]
 +  * December - [[Gucci]] acquires [[Boucheron]]
 +  * July - [[MSR]], one of the longest-lasting independent groups, declares bankruptcy and puts the [[Marvin]], [[Revue Thommen]], and [[Vulcain]] brands up for sale
 +  * [[LVMH]] recovers the [[Dior]] brand license
 +
 +===== International Industrial Groups =====
 +==== 2001 ====
 +  * November 12 - [[Fossil Group]] acquires [[Zodiac]] from [[Dixi]], along with [[Synergies Horlogères]], [[Meliga Habillement Horloger]], and [[Montres Antima]]
 +  * February - [[PPR]]'s [[Gucci]] acquires 66.7% of [[Bottega Veneta]]; it acquired 11.8% more in July
 +  * July - [[Gucci]] acquires 91% of [[Balenciaga]]
 +  * Bankrupt [[MSR]] sells the [[Vulcain]] brand to [[PMH]]
 +
 +==== 2002 ====
 +  * August 31 - [[LVMH]] launches [[Luis Vuitton Watches]] at its new Tokyo office
 +  * [[MSR]] sells [[Marvin]] to [[Time Avenue]]
 +
 +==== 2003 ====
 +  * March - [[LVMH]] sells the [[Favre-Leuba]] brand to [[Valentin]]; rumors suggest LVMH will exit the watch business completely
 +  * December 23 - [[LVMH]] sells the [[Ebel]] brand to [[Movado Group]] for $47.3 million, keeping Ebel's "Private Label Development" arm and renaming it Les Ateliers Horlogers, a developer of high-end watch movements for [[Dior]] and others
 +  * [[Richemont]] acquires the rest of [[Van Cleef & Arpels]]
 +
 +==== 2004 ====
 +  * [[PPR]] acquires the final minority shares of [[Gucci]]
 +  * December - [[Movado Group]] acquired the [[Boss]] watch license from [[Tempus Concept]]
 +  * The bankrupt [[MSR]] licenses the [[Revue Thommen]] name to [[Grovana]]
 +
 +==== 2006 ====
 +  * Richemont acquires the [[manufacture]] [[Minerva]]
 +
 +==== 2007 ====
 +  * October 4 - [[Citizen Group]] acquires [[Bulova]] and [[Wittnauer]] for $250 million, their first acquisition outside Japan
 +  * [[Fossil Group]] spins out part of [[Synergies Horlogères]] (including [[Antima]])
 +  * September 17 - [[Richemont]] acquires the manufacturing assets of [[Roger Dubuis]]; it would acquire majority control of the brand the following year
 +
 +==== 2008 ====
 +  * August 11 - [[Richemont]] acquires 60% of the [[Roger Dubuis]] brand
 +  * April 24 - [[LVMH]] re-commits to the luxury watch industry by purchasing [[Hublot]] for est. CHF 490 million, bringing [[Biver, Jean-Claude|Jean-Claude Biver]] to the company
 +
 +==== 2009 ====
 +  * [[Roamer]] is reorganized by [[Chung Nam]] with [[Swiss Watch Group]]
 +
 +==== 2010 ====
 +  * January - [[LVMH]]'s [[Hublot]] acquires the assets of bankrupt high-end movement specialist [[BNB Concept]]
 +
 +==== 2011 ====
 +  * March 5 - [[LVMH]] acquires [[Bulgari]]
 +  * June 29 - [[China Haidian]] acquires [[Eterna]], including the [[Porsche Design]] brand license, for $23 million
 +  * July 4 - [[PPR]] acquires [[Sowind Group]] with [[Girard-Perregaux]], [[JeanRichard]], and [[GP Manufacture]]
 +  * [[LVMH]]'s [[Louis Vuitton]] acquires [[La Fabrique du Temps]], successor to high-end movement specialist [[BNB Concept]], which was purchased by the company a year earlier
 +
 +==== 2012 ====
 +  * March 5 - [[Citizen Holdings]] acquires [[Prothor]], owner of [[La Joux-Perret]] and [[Arnold & Son]]
 +  * October 25 - [[MELB Holding]] is formed to acquire [[Hautlence]]
 +  * Q3 - [[MELB Holding]] acquires [[H. Moser & Cie.]] and [[Precision Engineering AG]]
 +  * [[Fossil Group]] acquires 51% of movement maker [[STP]]
 +  * [[LVMH]]'s [[Louis Vuitton]] acquires dial maker [[Léman Cadrans]]
 +
 +==== 2013 ====
 +  * January 14 - [[Swatch Group]] acquires [[Harry Winston]]
 +  * April 24 - [[China Haidian]] acquires [[Corum]] for CHF 86 million
 +  * June 18 - [[PPR]] is renamed [[Kering]]
 +
 +==== 2014 ====
 +  * April 14 - [[China Haidian]] acquires [[Dreyfuss Group]] (owner of [[Rotary]]) for HK 351 million
 +  * July 2 - [[Synergies Horlogères]], part owned by [[Fossil Group]], merges with [[Christopher Ward]] to become [[Christopher Ward London Holdings]]
 +  * July 7 - [[China Haidian]] is renamed [[Citychamp]]
 +  * July 30 - [[Kering]] purchases [[Ulysse Nardin]] and places it under [[Sowind Group]]
 +
 +==== 2016 ====
 +  * January 22 - [[Richemont]] acquires the remaining 40% of the [[Roger Dubuis]] brand it did not purchase in [[2008]]
 +  * May 26 - [[Citizen Holdings]] acquires [[Frederique Constant]], including [[Alpina]] and [[Ateliers deMonaco]]
 +
 +==== 2019 ====
 +  * November 25 - [[LVMH]] announces that it will acquire [[Tiffany]] €14.7 billion, though it would take two years to complete the deal
 +
 +==== 2021 ====
 +  * January 7 - [[LVMH]] completes the acquisition of [[Tiffany]] at a lower price than announced two years earlier
 +
 +
 +{{tag>Lists}}
 +
  

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