Roland's prediction immediately caused a sensation in the watch workshop, and the people around him were excitedly talking about it. The masters shook their heads again and again, believing that Roland's words were pure fantasy, and that a sophisticated clock could never be mass-produced on a factory assembly line like a simple pin. The young apprentice was emotional, inspired by Roland's vision that if even a clock could be mass-produced like a pin, what could be in the world that a factory could not make? The industrialized world is terrifying and exciting!

In the face of the mixed doubts, Roland smiled silently. His prediction was not a fantasy, and although there were still handmade watches on Earth, the vast majority of timekeeping devices had already been industrially produced. He has reason to believe that the same situation will happen here with the continuous innovation of the industrial technology of the world of Vares, and what the Far Easterners need to do is to seize the opportunity!

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have come to Searle with a thought that may seem unrealistic to you - to inspect the watch industry in Searle and transform it into an industrial production model, to formulate a policy oriented to the vigorous development of the watch industry, to promote the timepieces and watches of our Searle Town to the national market and to the international market, so that it will become a famous brand product in the Far East, and earn money and win reputation from watch consumers from all over the world for all the craftsmen engaged in the watch processing industry in Searle Town!"

Roland's provocative words touched the hearts of the watchmakers, and not only the young apprentices applauded, but even the old masters could not hold back, and they were fascinated by the bright future he had outlined.

The old man of Kadia coughed heavily, and said unhurriedly with a sinking face: "If there are too many things, they are not worth much, if clocks and watches are really produced from the factory like a button, and they can be bought for a few small buckles, we craftsmen who make clocks and watches may become as cheap as the workers who make buckles, and we don't need to learn how to make a clock completely, we can only process one part to be competent for our position, and the employer can kick us away if he is not satisfied. Replace one person to work on that damn part, and in the end we craftsmen will be reduced to a dispensable part in that big machine called 'Factory', and what will we talk about making money and earning reputation! ”

The workshop fell silent for a moment, and the people looked at each other, chewing on the terrible prophecy of the old man Khadia, and their faces changed and they were deeply worried.

Roland sighed softly. In fact, the old man Kadia was very far-sighted, and industrial mass production would inevitably be accompanied by some not-so-beautiful social effects, such as the alienation of workers, making people like a part of a machine. Charlie Chaplin's famous play "Modern Times" satirizes this social phenomenon to the bone.

"Mr. Kadia, whether you like it or hate it, it is destined to be unable to stop the wheels of industrialization rolling and rolling over, and most of the traditional handicraft workshops will eventually be eliminated by modern factories, and if traditional craftsmen cannot adapt to the new era, they will gradually lose their living space and become the dust of history." Whispering a cruel prophecy, Roland changed his words, "However, the watch industry is in a much better situation than those simple manufacturing industries, after all, the clock is a very complex device, and something complex enough is qualified to be among the ranks of artworks, and works of art cannot be industrialized, in the future, craftsmen like you will survive in the way of artists after the baptism of industrialization, and the handmade clocks you insist on will also be sought after by the wealthy class in the form of works of art and luxury goods. Whether they use it as a timekeeping tool or just keep it as a collection for show-off, it's a consumer market to be reckoned with. ”

Kadia fell into deep thought. The craftsmen and apprentices around him were also pondering the meaning of Roland's words.

Sweeping the silent faces around him, Roland continued to elaborate on his concept of the watch industry: "Clocks and watches have a peculiar dual character, for the leisure class it is a luxury, willing to spend a lot of money on clocks decorated with magnificent gems, but for industrial and commercial workers, government officials, teachers, doctors, lawyers, etc., who need to be strictly punctual, clocks and watches - especially pocket watches - are a necessity of life, not necessarily luxurious, more important to accuracy and durability, We can divide the target market of different grades according to the needs of different users, on the one hand, adhere to the traditional handmade process, and continue to build' At the same time, we should also consider the needs of ordinary income groups, design an industrial assembly line to produce low-grade clocks, so that mass-produced clocks do not have those gorgeous decorations, nor much personal style, just a timekeeping tool, but simple and cheap, fully in line with the needs of the public, so that we divide the watch market into high-end and low-end levels, handmade watches made by skilled craftsmen specialize in the luxury and art markets; The low-grade watches of industrial production are aimed at the mass market, not only to make the money of the big guys, but also to let go of the money bags of the ordinary people, what do you think? ”

Roland's last witty remark caused the audience to laugh, and the old man Kadia couldn't help but raise the corners of his lips, and raised his thumb in admiration: "His Royal Highness the prince has a real brain, I accept the old man!" In the future, I will do what you say, absolutely nothing! ”

"Mr. Kadia, that's what I've been waiting for!" Roland shook the master's hand vigorously, "You are welcome to lead the apprentices to visit the Karon Industrial Zone, I believe it will refresh your eyes." ”

"I'll go, Your Royal Highness, but I'm worried that young people will become impetuous, when they see the world of flowers outside," the old man Kadia sighed, a melancholy look appeared in his eyes, "To tell you the truth, in the past six months, many young people have left in Sail Town, and they have ganged up to go to Karon Industrial Zone, among which there are mechanics with good skills, but there are also hairy boys with half a bottle of vinegar, who have not learned their skills and run out to make money, what annoys us old guys the most, do you know?" ”

"Tell me."

"What annoys me the most is that those kids who don't have good skills can also find good jobs in the industrial area!" Old man Kadia was indignant.