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What is Swiss Made? Swiss Movement Watches Explained
Learn what makes a Swiss Made watch so special and why Switzerland is known for luxury watchmaking in this easy to read guide.
November 2023
1. What is a Swiss Made Watch?
1. What is a Swiss Made Watch?
As the gold standard, Swiss Made is a coveted legal designation given only to the world’s most well crafted and highest quality timepieces.
As the gold standard, Swiss Made is a coveted legal designation given only to the world’s most well crafted and highest quality timepieces.
Learn what makes a Swiss Made watch and why Switzerland is known for watchmaking [2 min video]
Learn what makes a Swiss Made watch and why Switzerland is known for watchmaking [2 min video]
2. What Does Swiss Made Mean?
2. What Does Swiss Made Mean?
There three main criteria to follow for watches to achieve Swiss Made certification. We've named these “The Three ’S’ of Swiss Made”: 1. Must have a Swiss movement, 2. Must have Sixty percent of the watch head value from Switzerland, and 3. Must have Switzerland development and final inspection.
There three main criteria to follow for watches to achieve Swiss Made certification. We've named these “The Three ’S’ of Swiss Made”: 1. Must have a Swiss movement, 2. Must have Sixty percent of the watch head value from Switzerland, and 3. Must have Switzerland development and final inspection.

Definition: What does Swiss Made mean? [Infographic]

Definition: What does Swiss Made mean? [Infographic]

3. Why Swiss Movement Watches?
3. Why Swiss Movement Watches?
We recommend Swiss automatic movements, known in the world for being the pinnacle of luxury watchmaking.
We recommend Swiss automatic movements, known in the world for being the pinnacle of luxury watchmaking.
Brands like ETA are the top of the line, followed by Sellita and Ronda movements. Beyond functionality, look for the number of jewels, the power reserve duration, and the water resistance depth to assess the overall quality of the movement.
Brands like ETA are the top of the line, followed by Sellita and Ronda movements. Beyond functionality, look for the number of jewels, the power reserve duration, and the water resistance depth to assess the overall quality of the movement.

Swiss ETA-2671 automatic watch movement with 25 jewels and 44-hour power reserve

Swiss ETA-2671 automatic watch movement with 25 jewels and 44-hour power reserve
4. Why Is Switzerland Known For Watchmaking?
4. Why Is Switzerland Known For Watchmaking?
Switzerland is the birthplace of luxury watchmaking. Dating back in the 16th century, this historical region in the Jura Mountains known as Watch Valley is the home to today's best watchmakers in the world.
Stretching 200km from Geneva to Basel, and bordering both France and Germany, the geography there is ideal for innovation and has fostered generations continuing the legacy of Swiss watchmaking in the region.
Many of the today's best watchmakers are located here in Switzerland, with the towns of Le Locle and La-Chaux-de-Fonds being recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Centres for their outstanding contributions to horology.
Switzerland is the birthplace of luxury watchmaking. Dating back in the 16th century, this historical region in the Jura Mountains known as Watch Valley is the home to today's best watchmakers in the world.
Stretching 200km from Geneva to Basel, and bordering both France and Germany, the geography there is ideal for innovation and has fostered generations continuing the legacy of Swiss watchmaking in the region.
Many of the today's best watchmakers are located here in Switzerland, with the towns of Le Locle and La-Chaux-de-Fonds being recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Centres for their outstanding contributions to horology.

Watch Valley in Switzerland known as the birthplace of Swiss watchmaking [Map]

Watch Valley in Switzerland known as the birthplace of Swiss watchmaking [Map]

Fountain in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland - a UNESCO World Heritage Centre for its contributions to horology

Fountain in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland - a UNESCO World Heritage Centre for its contributions to horology

5. How Is Swiss Engineering Superior?
5. How Is Swiss Engineering Superior?
Beautiful quality watches are incredibly difficult to engineer. The specialized machinery and engineers available in Switzerland are the best in the world. They are skilled at bevelling high grade stainless steel from multiple angles with surgical precision.
Beautiful quality watches are incredibly difficult to engineer. The specialized machinery and engineers available in Switzerland are the best in the world. They are skilled at bevelling high grade stainless steel from multiple angles with surgical precision.

Advanced drill bit machinery able to chisel the strongest stainless steel and other precious metals

Advanced drill bit machinery able to chisel the strongest stainless steel and other precious metals
6. Why Does Swiss Craftsmanship Mean Quality?
6. Why Does Swiss Craftsmanship Mean Quality?
The intricate and steady hand work required to create a Swiss Made watch requires years of training and experience. Swiss Made watches are all hand-assembled by expert watchmakers for over 6 months and carefully inspected after each step to ensure a quality timepiece.
The intricate and steady hand work required to create a Swiss Made watch requires years of training and experience. Swiss Made watches are all hand-assembled by expert watchmakers for over 6 months and carefully inspected after each step to ensure a quality timepiece.

Swiss watchmaker at the VIEREN watchmaking studio in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland

Swiss watchmaker at the VIEREN watchmaking studio in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
7. Swiss Made vs. Swiss Movt - What's The Difference
7. Swiss Made vs. Swiss Movt - What's The Difference
Due to a rise in counterfeiting in Swiss Movt watches, with Swiss movements but could be made anywhere in the world. Always look for the Certified Swiss Made symbol on the timepiece before you purchase.
Due to a rise in counterfeiting in Swiss Movt watches, with Swiss movements but could be made anywhere in the world. Always look for the Certified Swiss Made symbol on the timepiece before you purchase.

Swiss Made watches are known for being the pinnacle of luxury watchmaking

Swiss Made watches are known for being the pinnacle of luxury watchmaking
SUMMARY
There is so much beauty in Swiss movement watches. It’s easy to understand why Switzerland is known for the birth of watchmaking. Discover Swiss Made watches and experience one for yourself.
Looking to learn more about how automatic watches work? Get all your questions answered in the complete guide about automatic watches here.
Looking to learn more about how automatic watches work? Get all your questions answered in the complete guide about automatic watches here.
SUMMARY
There is so much beauty in Swiss movement watches. It’s easy to understand why Switzerland is known for the birth of watchmaking. Discover Swiss Made watches and experience one for yourself.
Looking to learn more about how automatic watches work? Get all your questions answered in the complete guide about automatic watches here.
Looking to learn more about how automatic watches work? Get all your questions answered in the complete guide about automatic watches here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jess Chow, Founder and CEO VIEREN
As a next-generation watch entrepreneur, Jess’ passion for horology led her to create VIEREN - the coveted new microbrand handcrafting modernist Swiss Made automatic watches to power your time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jess Chow, Founder and CEO VIEREN
As a next-generation watch entrepreneur, Jess’ passion for horology led her to create VIEREN - the coveted new microbrand handcrafting modernist Swiss Made automatic watches to power your time.

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