Swiss Made: What Those Two Words Actually Mean
Three Words, One Standard
"Swiss Made" appears on thousands of watch dials, but its legal definition is stricter than most buyers realize. Here is what the label requires and when it matters.
The Legal Definition
Under Swiss law revised 2017, a watch may carry Swiss Made only if the movement is Swiss, cased in Switzerland, final inspection occurs in Switzerland, and at least 60% of manufacturing costs are Swiss. The revision tightened the old 50% rule.
What It Guarantees
- Swiss origin of movement
- Swiss assembly and inspection
- 60% or more Swiss manufacturing cost
What It Does Not Guarantee
- In-house design — many Swiss brands use shared ETA or Sellita movements
- Specific accuracy — COSC is a separate certification
- All components Swiss — gaskets and crystals are often imported
Does It Matter?
For prestige and resale: absolutely. Swiss Made carries a quality halo commanding premium pricing globally. For daily wear: many Japanese-made watches offer comparable reliability at lower cost. Origin does not equal durability.
The Other Origin Labels
- Japan Movement: movement manufactured in Japan; case assembled elsewhere
- No origin label: usually indicates Chinese assembly — not inherently bad but transparent
Our entire range uses Seiko NH35/NH34 movements — Japanese-made calibers with decades of proven reliability in the field. Browse the collection for full specs on every model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Swiss Made always better?
Not always — many non-Swiss watches outperform Swiss counterparts. Origin is one factor, not the only one.
Does Swiss Made affect service costs?
Yes — Swiss-made watches often carry higher service premiums due to parts sourcing and brand positioning.
Do our watches qualify?
No — our builds use Japanese movements assembled in Guangzhou. We state this honestly in every listing.