There is a lawsuit currently being decided on that will affect the watchmaking profession as well as the watchmaking hobbyist.

The large manufacturers and certain elements in the watchmaking community want to make it impossible for repairers to purchase parts unless they are approved. As you can imagine, getting approved will cost a considerable amount of money, and it will prevent many reliable watchmakers from practicing their trade. The chosen few approved and certified repairers will make lots of money, and customers will pay much more for service. Should someone really need to be approved to by a bracelet link, or replace a crown.

I would like to ask everyone who is at all involved with watch repair, to please respond to www.andre-fleury.com . Make your voices heard and keep watch parts available.

Scott,

If I may add to your topic, this issue has been going on for a long time in Europe too, and is being championed by the "Confédération Européenne des Associations d'Horlogers Réparateurs"
(European Confederation of Watch & Clock Repairer's).

A link for anyone in Europe wishing to add their own voice in pressurising the Swiss watch Houses to end their protectionist policies can do so from a link on the BHI's home page:
www.bhi.co.uk

Or directly via the CEAHR from the following web url.

http://www.ceahr.org/index.php?cat=rev&lg=en

As Scott says, Make Your Voice Heard!