An exciting and successful "watch year" is drawing to a close. The watch branch is rushing from record to record, and the signs point to further growth. There were never more people involved in the German and Swiss watch industry, and full employment is the rule here. More and more watch manufacturers are producing their own movements, mainly on account of the pressure instigated by the Swatch Group, and so the offer of interesting timepieces, to the joy of the watch lover, is becoming ever greater and more varied.