Ask any watch connoisseur which timepiece you should get and they will recommend a Swiss brand. True enough, Swiss-made timepieces are the epitome of quality watchmaking, paired with a rich history. These types of watches are known for how they innovated the craft of watchmaking. In fact, they feature some of the most complex movements and highly refined pieces. Through the years, many brands have made the attempt to replicate what Swiss-made companies are already doing. Even some of the famous luxury brands have tried, but none of them compares to the pioneers. And here are some of the reasons why:
- They have a high standard in the mechanism of the pieces.
Like we said earlier, Swiss-made timepieces are the pioneers of innovative horology designs. Take for example the Girard Perregaux Laureato collection. What makes this collection unique is the brand’s expertise in Haute Horlogerie. The expert watchmakers handcraft everything, from hundreds of complex components up to the intricate gears. This attention to minute details is the main reason why it sometimes takes months to create a single piece. Aside from the expert watchmakers, the quality of materials used for the mechanisms is top-notch. This is why most Swiss-made wrist watches make great family heirlooms. The durability of these pieces definitely makes it worth the money.
- You will be part of prestige and history.
Fun fact: the clock industry rose in the 16th century in Geneva. From wall clocks, watchmakers made it possible to make them wearable. Thus, the invention of pocket watches and wristwatches. Watchmaking in Switzerland has come from a long line of heritage. And even though the industry went through several innovations, most of the brands have kept their own traditions. This is one of the reasons why Swiss-made pieces are one-of-a-kind. One of the oldest brands that still operates today is the Vacheron Constantin. The company has been around for more than two centuries and is actually one of the most expensive watches that you can get.
- They make use of precious metals
Let’s dive deeper into the materials that these companies use for their timepieces. This is another factor that differentiates Swiss wristwatches from other brands around the world. For example, AP’s Royal Oak model is a crowd favorite because of the gold and diamonds encrusted to it. Some of these precious metals are diamonds, rubies, titanium, 18-carat gold, to name a few. In fact, aside from the watchmakers, most Swiss brands have their own in-house jewelers. Once the watchmakers are done assembling the movements and casings of the watch, the jewelers take it to a whole new level by adding intricate stones. The value of the wristwatch is also dependent on the type of materials used, aside from rarity and movement.
- It is a status symbol and represents luxe.
With all the information mentioned above, it is no surprise that watches from Switzerland are not cheap. Take into account brands like Patek Philippe. The Grand Complications model takes around six years to complete! Amazing, right? That is how they take every single step seriously. Despite the price tag, you will be surprised at how many people are willing to pay the price. There was even a study conducted regarding the purchasing behavior of In fact, most of these brands have their own waiting lists. And for even high-tier brands, like Audemars Piguet, they take the screening process seriously.
- Increases in value over time.
Thanks to the intricate way of watchmaking, these timepieces will last you for centuries if well taken care of. Some specific timepieces do well in auctions. For example, the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. is the most expensive watch sold in auction for more than $31 million. The most expensive Rolex sold in an online auction has a price tag of $1.54 million. Do note that not Swiss-made watches appreciate in value, but some of them are doing promising returns. The key is to do your research on which models to buy and check out its returns history if your main goal of buying is to resell in the future.
So what makes a timepiece Swiss?
There have been several debates about this topic, and some even released papers to address this. Many believe that authentic Swiss watches are exclusively made in Switzerland. For some, a wristwatch should only abide by some standards to be eligible to be called one. Some of the standards are seen below:
- The movement of the timepiece should be Swiss.
- Of course, to be called Swiss-made, it should be made and assembled in Switzerland.
- 60% of the manufacturing costs are based in Switzerland.
- And finally, the final inspection should be done by manufacturers in Switzerland.
These current regulations have strengthened the meaning of a Swiss brand. In the coming years, we might even expect the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry to make stricter rules and regulations regarding the matter. For example, they might even increase the standard of manufacturing cost by up to 80%.
There are a lot of knock-offs and fake watches that you should look out for. Many of which are even hard to tell if they’re fake. Make sure to only transact with authenticated stores or look for supporting documents if you are buying it off from someone.
Is it worth the money?
After all the points mentioned above, there is no doubt that these timepieces are worth every penny. No wonder a lot of people chose to collect these items. Many of you may be wondering because of its regulations, “Do I have to personally go to Switzerland to buy one?” The answer is of course not! There are a lot of physical and online stores that sell genuine Swiss wristwatches. One of the best online stores that you can check out is WatchShopping. It is the one-stop shop for all the Swiss timepieces that you can ever imagine, for a good price! Make sure to visit this website and don’t miss out on great deals.