The Art of Time: Why Swiss is Best

Much more than just a tool to tell the time, Swiss watches have become synonymous with luxury and style. Thanks to their intricate mechanical movements and pioneering innovation, their quality goes way beyond what the eyes can see. Read on to find out why once you go Swiss, you won’t want to switch…

22 SEPTEMBER 2021 - EDITOR - H. SAMUEL

You don’t need to be a watch connoisseur to have heard of brands like Rotary, Swatch, Tissot and Hamilton. Furthermore, you’ve likely seen them – Hamilton in particular – on the wrists of the likes of James Bond and many a Marvel superhero, not to mention on the glossy pages of your favourite fashion magazines. Swiss watches are indeed synonymous with style but also innovation. So, the next time you count on the latest smartphone for the time, perhaps, you should rethink your accessories. As in our book, a phone can never replace a good olde-world wristwatch.

Sure, most Swiss-made watches are on the more expensive side, but when you consider the shelf life, quality, and craftsmanship of the timepiece, you begin to understand why it’s worth the investment. And don’t worry, if you’re no Patek Philippe, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know on Swiss-made watches, from why they’re famous, how they’re made, how to tell if it’s Swiss or not to our favourite Swiss watch brands for him and her. Scroll down for the goods.

Why are Swiss Watches Famous?

It’s no secret that everyone from 007 to Captain America is a Swiss watch fan (even the king of rock ‘n’ roll himself, Elvis Presley was a Hamilton Ventura groupie). But it’s not just their cameo roles on the big screen that’s given them much deserved airtime. To understand why Swiss watches are famous, we need to dig deep into their roots. Swiss timepieces harness generations of fine watchmaking that constantly pursues quality craftsmanship and innovative excellence (just ask Tissot, legendary watchmaker of nearly 170 years).

How Swiss Watches are Made

When you think about luxury watches, you wouldn’t be blamed for picturing a little white-haired man in a white lab coat bent over a workbench against the backdrop of snowy Alps, loupe in hand eyeing up hundreds of tiny components that all need to fit and function flawlessly in unison. It’s a lovely picture, but not very representative of the modern – or even traditional – watchmakers.

While our wizened, white-haired watchmaker would hand-assemble the watch movement using high-quality materials (including metal gears, surgical steel and sapphire crystal), what really separates a Swiss watch is its intricate construction and the time it takes to make it – three to five years minimum, we’ll have you know. The longer it takes for a movement to be produced, the more valuable the watch is likely to be. Designed to last decades, if not hundreds of years, Swiss watches are popular heirlooms, as they stand the test of time – pardon the pun.

The Most Iconic Swiss-Made Watch Brands

Even for the novice, everyone knows a Swiss-made watch is unlike any other, iconic if you will. From producing timepieces for the armed forces, being the official timekeepers of the NBA, to the ‘Elvis watch’ and Tony Stark’s accessory of choice (Hamilton watches have appeared in over 500 films), these pieces are influential, recognised and revered. Some have even been made entirely by robots. Now, if that’s not iconic, then we don’t what is.

How to Tell a Watch is Swiss-Made

Sorry to break it to you, but the ‘Swiss Made’ tag on your fancy mechanical watch doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s 100% made and manufactured in Switzerland. So, if you’re looking to spend the big bucks on one, you should know what you’re getting. Scroll down to find out what ‘Swiss Made’ actually means.

Proudly displaying the stamp of 'Swiss-made' on its dial, your 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 these ‘Swissness Laws’:

The technical development of a watch must take place in Switzerland
The watch must have a Swiss movement
The movement must be cased up in Switzerland
At least 60% of manufacturing costs need to be generated in Switzerland
Final inspections must take place in Switzerland

If these parameters are not met, it's not a Swiss watch.

Why are Swiss Made Watches Expensive?

Parting with your hard-earned savings or salary is a wholehearted commitment, we get it. And trying to live a champagne lifestyle on a prosecco budget means that we’re always looking for investment pieces. That is pieces of exceptional quality, crafted with the best materials, that will withstand the test of time and be something that can be handed down for generations to come. Cutting down on fast fashion in favour of luxury items that last longer is a no-brainer, particularly if you opt for an investment piece that’s functional as well. We're thinking of classics like a good quality trench coat, a beautifully crafted leather jacket or, of course, a Swiss watch.

Swiss watches are famously expensive because not only are they handmade with hand-manufactured intricate mechanisms, but they also use precious materials such as platinum, gold, titanium and sapphire crystals. Yes, they are luxury items with higher price tags, but because of their timeless design, they are well worth the investment. They’re just as coveted today, as they were in the months following their release; they work in any season and aren't tied to any trends. Thus, when you think about how often you'll wear it, the cost-per-wear is low and, thanks to their exquisite quality, you have peace of mind that you get what you pay for.

Granted, you can spend a lot of money on a mechanical Swiss watch, but you don't have to. There's a temptation to treat a high-ticket watch like a biblical relic; too precious to wear, too valuable to take from the box. That's why it makes sense to buy a more affordable watch for the every day that looks just as good as any top-end piece. Just ask legendary Swiss watchmakers of everything from old-timey pocket watches to pro-quality divers (Tissot, we’re looking at you), all of which are as well-made as they are accessibly priced.

Best Swiss Watches for Him and Her

In our book, these are the luxury watch brands that stand out as the best. From the ones known for sustainable straps to ones that sports fans would go mad for, the watches ahead will make you want to leave your smartphone for calls and social media only.

Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart

Turning timekeeping into something of a tease, a glance at the face reveals part of the Swiss automatic movement in action – but not all of it (some things can be left to the imagination). Inside, there's all the painstaking detail you'd expect from Hamilton: an automatic H.10 calibre that has up to 80 hours of juice, and all fully viewable thanks to its open case back.

Tissot Supersport Chrono

Ask a watchy type for a solid, revered all-rounder, and they'll probably say a Tissot. First launched in 2020, this signature piece has quickly ascended the ranks to become an entry-level grail of sorts. Being intimately tied with the spirit of rugby, the SuperSport Chrono line represents four ‘cores’ — sportsmanship, physical versatility, courage, and the elegance of framed formations — making it a true luxury sports watch. If you’re in the market for a vintage-inspired sports watch that stands apart from the crowd but doesn't require a new mortgage, this is the one.

Hamilton Khaki Field

What do Captain America and Iron Man have in common? Both wore a Khaki Field Auto in the 2012 blockbuster The Avengers. Hamilton’s foray with Hollywood began back in 1932 and has since travelled to outer space with Matthew McConaughey, helped the Men In Black save humanity and led a sophisticated heist with Sandra Bullock in Ocean’s Eight, among other mega-blockbusters.

Rotary Henley Sport

The Henley is the sort of cool, storied watch you see a lot around Soho offices. The perfect all-rounder, it offers the wearer useful functions that relate to specific sporting activities such as diving or travel. And, with a black dial, here's a watch that can blend in with a multitude of events and outfits. It works well for the weekend. It's vaguely sporty. But it's also office-appropriate, and a failsafe neutral palette will suit almost everything in your wardrobe.

Shop The Top Swiss Watches At H. Samuel

Want to learn more or perhaps you’ve got a Swiss watch that’s in need of some TLC? For more information about these amazing timepieces or to find out about our excellent watch Repair & Care services book an in-store or virtual appointment with one of our friendly experts, who’ll be delighted to help.