Swiss Watches

Think of Swiss watches, and the immediate associations that come to mind are excellence and luxury. Switzerland’s association with horology – the art of creating mechanical timepieces – stretches back to the 1500s. The country’s still home to a rollcall of historic Swiss watch brands like Rolex, Omega, Longines, Patek Philippe, Breitling, TAG Heuer and Breguet, alongside more affordable watch brands such as Swatch.

With some iconic models costing upwards of four or even five figures, you may wonder why Swiss watches are considered so very desirable. To qualify as “Swiss-made”, a watch has to meet very specific criteria that guarantee the highest standards of accuracy and manufacturing quality – which, in turn, means it can be expected to hold onto its value.

With hand-assembled internal mechanisms (movements) and top-notch materials, Swiss watches are designed to last. If they break they can be repaired, which explains why vintage Swiss watches are perhaps just as popular as new ones.  Oh, and of course they make a fabulous statement, too.

History of Swiss Watches

The watch industry in Switzerland was kickstarted in the 1600s by skilled Huguenot refugees, fleeing religious persecution in France. They gradually transformed Geneva into a cradle of fine watchmaking. Watch parts were crafted in the Swiss valleys, then rapidly assembled by city manufacturers. This efficient production method turned Switzerland into a watchmaking powerhouse.

With constant innovations like the chronograph and the tourbillon, Swiss watches became known for technical virtuosity as well as beautiful design.

In the early 1900s Switzerland’s mass production methods extended its worldwide supremacy over the watch industry. As a neutral power, it could continue to make watches – for both sides – during the two world wars. When demand in America mushroomed post-war, Swiss watches dominated the market.

The 1970s quartz revolution brought stiff competition from cheaper and more accurate battery-powered timepieces. Swiss watchmakers responded with a renewed focus on heritage and mechanical excellence, and they now rule the luxury market.

Talking Points

Swiss watches are fitted with hand-made metal movements designed to last a lifetime if regularly serviced, and all materials used in the components are far superior to the quality in standard watches.

The sapphire crystal glass on Swiss watches is incredibly scratch resistant, meaning the dial remains nice and clear. Other watches use cheaper mineral crystal, which is much softer and scratches more easily.

Switzerland makes the most technologically advanced and precisely crafted timepieces in the world, so they take a long time to produce. When you buy a Swiss watch, you’re paying for that time and unique expertise.

Almost all Swiss-made watches are built with high-grade surgical steel, which is extremely resistant to corrosives and wear and tear. It’s less likely to tarnish, plus it’s hypo-allergenic – ideal if you’re allergic to cheaper alloys.

A Swiss watch isn’t just an accessory, it’s a family heirloom. The mechanism is built to last for generations, if properly looked after, and many designs are so beautifully timeless they’ll never go out of style.