What Makes Swiss Watches So Special?
Harnessing generations of watchmaking know-how, Swiss watches boast intricately constructed mechanical movements that evoke the romance of a bygone era, whilst their pioneering spirit allows you to have the latest in cutting-edge technology on your wrist.
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Celebrated for their precision and pedigree, Swiss-made watches have become synonymous with luxury and style. They are so much more than an instrument to tell the time.
How did this small European nation become the world's standard-bearer for luxury watchmaking? Which pioneering Swiss technological developments have paved the way for modern watch designs? Which luxury Swiss watch brands are the worthiest of investment?
Let's see what makes Swiss watches so special...
What is a Swiss watch?
In order to join the ranks of some of the world's best Swiss watch makers such as TAG Heuer, OMEGA, Breitling and TUDOR, a watch must conform to strict regulations in order to call itself Swiss-made.
So, what does ‘Swiss-made’ mean? Proudly displaying the stamp of 'Swiss-made' on their dial, your ideal Swiss watch could be powered by an automatic or a quartz movement, it could be suitable for deep-sea diving or resistant to extreme magnetic fields, it could measure time to 1/1,000th of a second or track multiple time-zones. In short, you can find a Swiss-made watch to suit any lifestyle, but it will only be an official Swiss watch if it adheres to the Swiss watchmaking laws.
The history of the Swiss watch
The top Swiss watch brands of today are steeped in history and have each played a pivotal role in the evolution of luxury timepieces - from a technical, mechanical and stylistic perspective. Have you ever stopped to think about the centuries of delicate craftsmanship and cutting-edge innovation that have helped to shape your watch?
Legend has it that farmers who migrated to the French-speaking Jura region spent the winter months making high-quality components for clock-makers - skills that would be passed down through the generations. This is how it all began, sowing the early seeds of what would turn out to be a Swiss watch revolution.
Some of the greatest Swiss watch companies in the history of Swiss watchmaking such as OMEGA, Breitling and TAG Heuer are centuries old, and their fine watchmaking skills have been handed down through generations.
Swiss watch parts & components
We break down the intricate parts of a Swiss watch to show the meticulous detail that goes into creating them.
The Swiss movement
A fine work of craftsmanship, the movement is an intricate mechanism with hundreds of working parts that powers the watch. The beating heart of your Swiss watch, the movement literally makes it tick. So, what is a Swiss movement watch?
According to Swiss law a watch movement is only considered Swiss if:
- The movement has been assembled in Switzerland.
- The movement has been inspected by the manufacturer in Switzerland.
Motorsport watches
In a sport where split seconds count for everything, it feels only fitting that so many Swiss-made watch brands are associated with this adrenaline fuelled sport. The ability to track time, distance and speed is necessary through functions such as chronographs and tachymeters, and luxury watch brands such as TAG Heuer and Bremont are pros at doing so. High-performance cars and the most daring racetracks often serve inspiration for these timepieces too, just look at the TAG Heuer Formula 1, Carrera, and Monaco collections or the Bremont Williams Racing watches. Head to our Motorsport Watch Buying Guide where we go into more detail on the world of motorsports and luxury watches.
Did you know? In 1953, TUDOR demonstrated the toughness of their TUDOR Oyster Prince by handing it to a motorcycle racer for a 1,000-mile endurance race. It survived and kept perfect time.
Swiss watches as collectibles
Shop limited edition watcbesWhether it's Swiss-made or not, it's very hard to predict whether a watch will become a collectible in the future. But if you're looking for the best watch to buy to tell a fascinating story, a special or limited-edition timepiece might be the way to go.
OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch
One of the most famous chronographs, the OMEGA Speedmaster became the first watch worn on the moon in July of 1969. Since then, it has been worn on all six lunar landings - earning itself the nickname 'The Moonwatch'. In April 1970, the Apollo 13 astronauts used their OMEGA Speedmasters to time critical engine burns that led to their safe return home.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph
Inspired by the 7753 SN Heritage, this timepiece showcases a silver and black panda dial, housed in an innovative Glassbox construction. Complemented by striking red accents, this watch is designed for superior readability, on and off the racetrack. Paying homage to Carrera's thrilling motorsport heritage, it combines elegance with ground-breaking precision and performance.
TUDOR Black Bay Fifty-Eight Bronze
This exclusive TUDOR Black Bay 58 Bronze timepiece marks the first time that TUDOR has created a bracelet entirely from bronze. Not only that, but it also features a new bronze clasp with a redesigned cover and TUDOR "T-fit" rapid adjustment system for the length. The bronze beautifully evolves over time to form a patina, reflecting your journey of life. Available in our TUDOR Boutique Meadowhall, book an appointment with our expert advisors.
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