Swiss Movement Watch, Swiss-Made, Made with Swiss Parts…What’s the Difference?

by Robert Johnson Blogs on Latest News

For watch connoisseurs around the world, owning a Swiss watch is a triumph. The growing demand for exquisite and expensive Swiss watches has also led many manufacturers clamoring to include the “Made in Switzerland” label to their brand. But are all Swiss watches the same? What’s the difference between Swiss-made, Swiss movement, and watches made with Swiss parts? Here we’ll break down the meaning of each, giving you a better idea of what you are buying when you select your next watch:

Swiss-Made Watches

For a watch to be branded as Swiss-made, it must adhere to the standards defined by Swiss law. This includes:

1. The movement must be made and cased in Switzerland.

2. The final quality inspection must be carried out by the manufacturer in Switzerland.

3. At least 60% of the total production cost of a Swiss-made watch must be based in Switzerland. With mechanical watches, the production cost goes up to 80%. Quartz watches must be over 60%.

Irrespective of the Swiss-made or Swiss movement watch label, technical development associated with these watches must be done in Switzerland. This is a requirement for Swiss smartwatches as well.

Swiss Movement Watches

Before you can understand the term Swiss movement watch, it is important to understand what a watch’s movement means. It refers to the heart of the watch or the components that make the timepiece tick and the hands move.

Manufacturers looking to include the Swiss movement label must conform to the regulations set by the Swiss Federal Council. These include:

1. The movement must be assembled in Switzerland.

2. Quality control inspection must be performed by the manufacturer in Switzerland.

3. The watch’s components must make up at least 50% of the watch’s value, and at least 60% of the movements must be produced in Switzerland.

Made with Swiss Parts

Manufacturers that use Swiss components but assemble movements outside Switzerland label their products as Swiss parts watch or made with Swiss parts. The watch could be assembled anywhere in the world, but this label is often used to sell the watch at a higher price to gullible or uninformed buyers.

Does a Swiss Watch Live Up to the Hype?

Not everyone who understands watches is keen on the Swiss-made label. As we earlier said, it’s the movement that’s at the heart of the watch and the essential component of the timepiece, and the difference in labeling could cost you hundreds of dollars. If you are not fixated on brand names but love good design and precision, there are plenty of Italian watch brands that use Swiss movement. These options could save you money while still delivering a quality product.