The Swatch Group Ltd. · Biel, Bern Switzerland ·(Swiss: UHR)

Swatch is worth watching. The Swatch Group (formerly Société Suisse de Microélectronique & d'Horlogerie) is the world's second-largest watchmaker (after Citizen Watch). Its 19 watch brands range from low-priced, collectible Swatch and Flik Flak to premium-priced Blancpain, Brequet, and Omega brands. Swatch watches are sold at some 15,000 retailers worldwide, plus at more than 500 Swatch stores, more than 1,000 shop-in-shops, and some 140 kiosks. The company supplies nearly all the components for its own watches and is a supplier to other watchmakers. Its Dress Your Body subsidiary designs and makes jewelry for the Swatch Group brands. Chairman Nicolas Hayek's family controls about 39% of The Swatch Group. To read the full description, subscribe now.