Swiss watches

When you think of stylish and elegant designs of timepieces, Swiss watches would immediately come to mind. You may think now of Swiss watches as popular products of the highest quality and craftsmanship. But for a short time in the history of the watch-making industry, Swiss watches did suffer some set backs.

Swiss watches represent quality

For several centuries, Switzerland was the world’s leader in the manufacture of clocks and watches. Up to the 1970s, the bastion of Swiss watches manufacturers appeared impregnable. Swiss watches controlled more than half of the world’s watch market. The industry produced an employment of around ten percent of the industrial labor force in the country. And Swiss watches contributed at least 10 percent of total export.

The dominance of Swiss watches in the world was shaken in the 1970s due to the introduction of cheap quartz watches from Japan. Exports of Swiss watches went down, and a quarter of Switzerland’s watch-making companies collapsed. It took years before Swiss watches recovered. And it was by producing low-price, high quality analogue Swiss watches from Swatch, integrating quartz works into plastic housings, that the Swiss watch industry regained market strength.

From then on, Swiss watches were no longer regarded only as functional timepieces, but they have also evolved into accessories and vanity pieces. Swiss watches brought fashion to the world’s watch industry. Because Swiss watches have become affordable, consumers make multiple purchases to suit their activities, tastes, and clothing. For those who are fond of collecting timepieces, their collection would not be complete without collectible models of fine Swiss watches.

Swiss style

Designers of Swiss watches have never run out ideas. Every year, new models and designs are being introduced to the consumers. The watch industry, like the automotive and fashion industries, has become a trend-driver of society, helping to shape its style preferences. Some makers of Swiss watches achieve breakthroughs in innovation, while others produce of Swiss watches that embody artistic experimentation and carry surreal designs.

The designs of Swiss watches can be classical keeping embellishments to the minimum. They can also be simple designs, with an uncomplicated face surrounded by hour markers made of faceted diamonds. Some Swiss watches have lavish and exciting styles. Straps of Swiss watches may also range from crocodile leather to the traditional gold links.

Although you can find many competitors of Swiss watches in the market today, Swiss watches are still able to enjoy and maintain its solid reputation throughout the globe. Once timepieces have been labeled “Swiss made,” this means that these Swiss watches carry the guarantee of quality that only years of commitment to the concept can deliver. Quality for Swiss watches means both technical quality and aesthetic quality.

Technical quality

Technical quality of Swiss watches refers to their performance in resisting water and shock, accuracy and reliability. On the other hand, aesthetic quality refers to the uniqueness of Swiss watches’ design and style. The combination of both the latest technology in watch-making and the traditional manufacturing process have made Swiss watches maintained their top position in the industry.

High-end Swiss watches are best known for their intricate movements. This watch movement refers to the devices that measure the time intervals by various means – a balance wheel, for example, or quartz crystal. The movements are then integrated with a display system. Movements of Swiss watches may include devices with thickness not exceeding 12mm and diameter, length or width not more than 50mm.

Because of the popularity of Swiss watches, many counterfeit watches bearing the Swiss made label have found their way to the market. In response to the counterfeiting of Swiss watches, laws have been passed in countries that signed treaties with Switzerland to protect the labeling of Swiss watches.