After two years of consecutive decline and an overall negative mood over the watchmaking industry, it seems that 2017 could be the turnaround year – at least for Swatch Group, as we have seen that Richemont Group 2016-2017 results were showing a decline. In its Half-Year Report 2017, Swatch Group depicts several positive news, including slight increasing sales and mainly, a better profitability, with high increase of operating margin and net income. Overview.