Roger Dubuis S.A., Former Distributor End Dispute

By William George Shuster -- JCK Online, 4/1/2008 2:00:00 AM

Swiss luxury watchmaker Roger Dubuis S.A. and former U.S. distributor Helvetia Time Corp. (which did business as Roger Dubuis North America Inc.) in January dropped legal actions against each other, which began with a dispute in 2005. Roger Dubuis S.A. hasn't had an active U.S. distributor since 2006.

The announcement said the companies “agreed to resolve all outstanding issues concerning distribution of Roger Dubuis products in North America … [and] all legal actions pending between both parties will be withdrawn.”

However, Helvetia Time isn't distributing Roger Dubuis products again in the United States. According to a joint announcement with Roger Dubuis S.A. in September 2007, Compagnie Financière Richemont S.A., a watchmaker and luxury products group, will do so.

Roger Dubuis North America had been the U.S. distributor since 1999, creating the U.S. market and distribution. Its contract had been scheduled to end in 2009.

The dispute began in late 2005, when Roger Dubuis S.A. cited alleged breaches of contract. RDNA denied the allegations, calling it an “unjust termination” and an attempt by the Swiss watchmaker to take control of business in America. The Swiss watchmaker said it was “restructuring and improving its international distribution network.”

The companies filed legal actions against each other in Swiss and U.S. courts in 2006.