Not a bad video but should probably come with an asterisk noting that it involves a very narrow focus admittedly common among WIS - specifically, there's plenty of in-house movements IF he would have directed his gaze outside Switzerland.
Even in Switzerland Rolex's movements are about as in-house as it gets as they're one of the few making their own hairsprings (Parachrom). But if one is also fixated on movement finishing Rolex doesn't play much in that ball park.
Start looking at Asia and the narrative comes unglued. There are several in-house with Seiko arguably being the poster child for taking "in-house" to absurd lengths. Not only with mechanical but they grow their own quartz crystals and provide their own electronics (matched in the case of the GS quartz).
The Chinese are, on average, not going to set the world on fire soon with hand finishing of movements but Credor / Micro-Artist Studio collaborates which Philippe Dufour and they're not going to take a back seat to anybody just because they're staring at the Alps through the window as opposed to Mt. Fuji. Then again the Eichi II goes for north of 50 grand so they're not exactly low-balling the Swiss either - especially in view of the Eichi being a simple 3-hand product.
There's certainly nothing wrong with watch hobbyists addressing everything from a Swiss perspective but it's rather sadly out of date. I was a Swisshead myself for quite a while - still am to an extent.
The video speaks very highly Philippe Dufour and well it should. The man himself has some interesting if not heretical things to say.
According to Philippe Dufour, many watchmakers today are lazy and don’t seem to encourage hard work. Very few of them go past their duties and original training and, apparently, are far too complacent. Philippe Dufour isn’t exactly thrilled with the low bar a lot of watchmakers today set for themselves and feels that many of them are far too comfortable with what they are doing. He suggests that I walk into any watchmaking facility in Switzerland and ask people “how long until you retire.” Perhaps a bit of tongue in cheek about it, Philippe claims many of them will know the answer to the day. “They are all waiting to retire.”
One of the reasons Dufour seems to enjoy traveling to Asia is because, according to him, their cultures hold very high respect for maturity and seniority. That he is an accomplished and older watchmaker automatically comes with the impression that he holds great amounts of knowledge – and I tend to agree.
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/philippe-dufour-disappointed-todays-watchmakers/
But optimism is called for. Fine Swiss craftsmanship will live on. Dufour will see to it. But it might live on mostly in Japan.
Not complaining, mind you. My wife's last address was in Samut Prakan right down the Soi from Ronda and ETA's Thai facilities and she expects if not demands this sort of "don't forget Asia" nonsense from me.
