Swatch Group tried to starve rivals of movements — the regulator made it pay for 17 years

ETA SA, a subsidiary of the Swatch Group, was by far the largest manufacturer of Swiss watch movements — producing about 70% of all Swiss ébauches (unfinished movements) used by the industry. In 2002, Nicolas Hayek announced that ETA would stop supplying movements to companies outside the Swatch Group, arguing that Swiss watchmakers needed to invest in their own movement-making capabilities rather than depending on a single supplier.

Competitors complained immediately — most Swiss watch brands had no in-house movement production and would have to shut down without ETA. COMCO, the Swiss competition regulator, launched an investigation in 2003. In 2005 it ruled that ETA's decision was a breach of Swiss cartel law and ordered the company to continue supplying at current levels until 2008, then gradually reduce deliveries through 2010.

In July 2012, COMCO extended the timeline again because independent watchmakers had still not developed alternatives. The new ruling allowed phased reductions: 30% by 2014–2015, 50% by 2016–2017, and 70% by 2018–2019. Nivarox (balance springs) would continue at reduced levels through 2023. Swatch Group spent 17 years trying to cut off competitors but was forced by regulators to keep supplying them.