Why are Swiss Watches so Popular?

Swiss watches have a magical attraction for many people. They spend hundreds of euros on them, even though you could buy a watch "Made in China" for 10 euros. What makes Swiss watches so irresistible?

More than just functionality

Audemars Piguet, Omega, Rolex, Breguet, Cartier, Patek Philippe - many of the most famous and expensive watches in the world come from Switzerland. So why buy a watch for 1,000 euros when a cheap Asian one will do just as well? The reason is that you don't buy a Swiss watch just to want to know what time it is.

Various Audemars Piguet watches

The Art of Watchmaking

One of the reasons these brands are so popular is because of their rich history. Watchmaking is extinct in most countries around the world, with the exception of Switzerland. Even though Switzerland was not the first country to make wristwatches, it is still the most ambitious and determined country. So the reason is because Swiss watches are built with the finest craftsmanship and centuries of experience; and they also have a rich history of setbacks and perseverance behind them.

Built to Last

To understand why Swiss watches are so popular, you need to know more about the high standards that go into making them. A Swiss watch is not just an incidental accessory, a fad or a trend. It can be passed down from generation to generation. From the movement to the case, the difference between Swiss brands and other brands is the chosen high quality of materials.

Solid steel joints and cases. These are the reason why Swiss watches give an impressively heavy feeling on the wrist and ensure that the watch stays beautiful for a long time. Steel is resistant to rust and can be polished up. Most Swiss watches have a synthetic sapphire crystal with incredibly high scratch resistance to ensure that the watch remains undamaged for many years. The movement of Swiss watches is assembled by hand, which together with the metal gears used ensures high quality inside the watch. Swiss watches are not only built not to break, but the use of the high quality materials also allows watchmakers to repair scratched and broken parts. This probably explains why classic Swiss watches are also so popular today.

Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711-1A

High-quality appearance

And then there is the appearance. In addition to high quality and a rich history of craftsmanship, Swiss watches also have great looks to offer. They go to great lengths to design original and good-looking watches that are both timeless and innovative. By using high quality materials, Swiss watches also have a luxurious touch. Audemars Piguet, for example, uses gold screws in many of its Royal Oaks, while solid steel and brass screws give an expensive look to a Breguet watch. Open-worked Swiss watches are especially famous because they show off the exceptional movement inside the watch.

Open-worked Breguet watch (wikipedia)

If you're looking for a handcrafted watch with quality materials to last forever, look for the "Made in Switzerland" label. You can find many fine Swiss designs in our weekly watch auctions. What's more, they make the perfect vintage watches: after all, a Swiss watch is not only built to last forever, it's also timelessly beautiful.