Pursuits

Swiss Watchmakers Turn Pessimistic as Smartwatch Risk Looms

  • Watchmaker executives most negative since 2012 in study
  • Strong franc highlighted as biggest risk by Deloitte report

An Alpina smartwatch, with diamonds and a steel bracelet.

Source: MMT via Bloomberg
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Swiss watchmaker executives are the most pessimistic in four years as an increasing minority see a threat from smartwatches and the strong franc buffets the industry, a Deloitte LLP report showed.

Deloitte found 41 percent of executives were negative about 12-month prospects while 14 percent were positive, according to the study, released Tuesday. That’s the first time gloominess beat optimism since the market researcher began the annual study in 2012.