1988
- Jean d'Eve and Seiko introduce automatic quartz watches, the Samara and AGS, respectively.
- With the newly launched Santos de Cartier Cartier brings out the first watch in which gold and steel are connected to a design unit.
- The South African billionaire Anton Rupert founds the Compagnie Financière Richemont SA.
- Luigi Macaluso, owner of Girard-Perregaux, acquires the Daniel JeanRichard brand.