"Emerging from this crisis has been violent," Mr. Büsser said. "There has been an incredibly high progression in sales after a major slowdown. We expect there will be a shortage of everything." For Mr. Journe, buying out Harry Winston's share in the dial maker was a way to avoid production bottlenecks and pre-empt a supply shortage that he, too, believes will hit the industry this year. "In the next six months and for the next two to three years, high-quality dials will be a rarity on the market," Mr. Journe said. "Since the crisis, many dial makers have gone out of business, downsized or been acquired by other brands," he added. "The Swatch Group, Richemont, Patek Philippe and Bulgari have all integrated independent dial makers into their groups." Going forward, Les Cadraniers will continue to make dials for other clients, including high-end brands like Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin, and a few independents.