My research has also lead me to understand Switzerland was not neutral during WWII.
The USA was the worlds leading watch manufacturer up until WWII. For two reasons, that changed.
One, US watch manufactures stopped selling to the public during WWII to support the war effort. Two, Switzerland not only attempted to fill that gap, but despite their claim to neutrality during WWII, they provided a lot of support to the NAZI’s including timing devices used in bombs.
Not really relevant to your point, but to wrap up my story… when the war ended congress failed to support and protect the industries that supported them during the war. American watch companies fell years behind the Swiss in innovation and manufacturing capabilities. They could never recover, and direct pleas to congress to intervene went unanswered.
Waltham, Hamilton, Illinois, Elgin, and several others all eventually succumbed to the Swiss.
Nice.
My research has also lead me to understand Switzerland was not neutral during WWII.
The USA was the worlds leading watch manufacturer up until WWII. For two reasons, that changed.
One, US watch manufactures stopped selling to the public during WWII to support the war effort. Two, Switzerland not only attempted to fill that gap, but despite their claim to neutrality during WWII, they provided a lot of support to the NAZI’s including timing devices used in bombs.
Not really relevant to your point, but to wrap up my story… when the war ended congress failed to support and protect the industries that supported them during the war. American watch companies fell years behind the Swiss in innovation and manufacturing capabilities. They could never recover, and direct pleas to congress to intervene went unanswered.
Waltham, Hamilton, Illinois, Elgin, and several others all eventually succumbed to the Swiss.