What Tiffany and Swatch Teaming Up Means for TIF as a Takeover Target

Tiffany has signed at 20-year deal with Swatch that allows them to manufacture and distribute all their watches. (Certain watch lines will be discontinued, and TIF is report $20 million of pretax expenses with regard to that). Tiffany has been rumored to be a favorite takeover target of late.

At least one analyst has sent a note round pondering if this could be a poison pill of sorts. After all, would LVMH or Richemont or PPR be interested in Tiffany if synergies in the watch making division were out of the question? But what is in it for Swatch? They already own 18 watch brands. We'll learn more on Wednesday when the various parties team up for a press conference.