swiss unadjusted

It seemed just a few short weeks ago that you couldn't turn anywhere without finding a story about the renaissance of the Swiss watch industry. But the economic crisis means luxury items are just that in a time of restrained spending. That's got the attention of some analysts who say 2009 is shaping up to the be the worst year for watch sales in decades. For example, the National Post recently reported:The slowdown in demand for new expensive watches is causing a panic in Switzerland, where 2009 is threatening to be the worst year for the Swiss industry since the "quartz crisis" of the 1970s and 1980s, which made mechanical watches technologically obsolete and reduced industry employment to 30,000 from 90,000.What do you think? On target or hyperbole? Have you shelved that plan to buy a new Swiss watch?

Burberry has announced two great looking new military style quartz timepieces, with cool NATO Straps (like the ones the Rolex fans love to retrofit onto their Submariners) - and they are made in Switzerland. SWISS MADE is a legally protected indication of Swiss origin. Under terms of the Swiss Federal Council ordinance of December 23, 1971, it can apply only to watches with: -Swiss Movement -Assembled in Switzerland -Final inspection must be done in Switzerland.This price is very good for a Swiss watch, even if it is quartz. However, to keep a watch in this price range a non-Swiss case is used, and this is permitted based on the legal definition of "Swiss Made". Another little known fact, is that a "Swiss Movement", which is a prerequisite of the "Swiss Made" designation, by law, only requires fifty percent of the movement parts to be of Swiss origin. These new Burberry watches may only just barely meet the legal requirements to be called "Swiss Made". Regardless, they are good looking, and they are "Swiss Made", all for under $500. Retail $495Source: Burberry