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Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26240OR.OO.1320OR.03 Very good Rose gold 41mm Automatic
Promoted
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph
26240OR 50th Anniversary Chronograph 18K Rose Gold White Index Dial
Rp.1,859,493,524
Free shipping
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5726/1A-014 Unworn Steel 40mm Automatic
Promoted
Patek Philippe Nautilus
5726/1A Moonphase Steel Blue Index Dial
Rp.2,505,749,029
Free shipping
Eterna Royal Kontiki 7740.40.41.1289 New Steel 42mm Automatic
Promoted
Eterna Royal Kontiki
GMT Men's Watch Swiss Made
Rp.27,224,973
+ Rp.486,160 for shipping
Blancpain 4286P-3642-55B Very good Rose gold 42mm Automatic
Promoted
Blancpain
VILLERET QUANTIEME PERPETUEL CHRONOGRAPHE FLYBACK A RATTRAPANTE
Rp.502,981,879
+ Rp.2,271,040 for shipping
Omega Seamaster 14763-61 Good Steel 36mm Automatic Indonesia, Bekasi
Omega Seamaster
Cal. 562
Rp.9,791,261
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Breguet Tradition 7038BR/18/9V6/D00D Unworn Rose gold 37mm Automatic
Promoted
Breguet Tradition
Dame
Rp.514,007,070
+ Rp.1,642,135 for shipping
Rolex Daytona 116519 Very good White gold 40mm Automatic
Promoted
Rolex Daytona
116519 Beach yellow M.O.P. diamonds dial Full Set 2005's
Rp.1,604,916,070
+ Rp.2,444,035 for shipping
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 15510OR.OO.1320OR.03 New Rose gold Automatic
Promoted
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding
2023 Release ROYAL OAK SELFWINDING Rose Gold Blue Dial 41mm 15510OR.OO.1320OR.03
Rp.1,752,815,640
+ Rp.1,508,946 for shipping
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26325TS.OO.D005CR.01 Very good Steel 41mm Automatic
Promoted
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph
26325TS Chronograph Leo Messi Steel Grey Index Dial
Rp.743,788,264
Free shipping
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 14800 Very good Rose gold 36mm Automatic
Promoted
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
18 Karat Rosegold limitierte Serie 10 Stück Weltweit Top Zustand purple
Rp.537,671,324
+ Rp.3,258,713 for shipping
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 15400OR.OO.1220OR.03 Very good Rose gold 41mm Automatic
Promoted
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding
Rose Gold Very Rare Blue Dial
Rp.2,035,880,843
+ Rp.1,629,356 for shipping
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix 26290RO.OO.A001VE.01 Very good Rose gold 44mm Automatic Indonesia, 60114
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix
(Ceramic Bazel)
Rp.825,000,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Hublot Classic Fusion 511.OX.1181.LR Unworn Rose gold 45mm Automatic Indonesia, 12120
Hublot Classic Fusion
King Gold Black dial 45
Rp.325,000,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Day-Date 36 18078 Very good Yellow gold 36mm Automatic Indonesia, Jakarta
Rolex Day-Date 36
36mm RARE Burled Walnut Wood Dial and Bark Finish
Rp.475,000,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Datejust 31 278341RBR Unworn Gold/Steel 31mm Automatic Indonesia, Jakarta
Rolex Datejust 31
278341RBR
Rp.320,048,894
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex GMT-Master II 116710LN Very good Steel 40mm Automatic Indonesia, Medan
Rolex GMT-Master II
116710LN
Rp.228,628,127
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Piaget Polo S G0A41006 Unworn Steel 42mm Automatic Indonesia, Medan
Piaget Polo S
G0A41006
Rp.198,144,377
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Datejust 36 16233 Fair Gold/Steel 36mm Automatic Indonesia, Jakarta Selatan
Rolex Datejust 36
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 16233
Rp.116,600,345
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Tudor Prince Date 79280 Very good Steel 40mm Automatic Indonesia, kuta
Tudor Prince Date
oyster date chrono by Rolex
Rp.105,168,938
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34 114200 Good Steel 34mm Automatic Indonesia, 10610
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34
114200
Rp.87,100,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Franck Muller Crazy Hours 7851 CH Fair Rose gold 35mm Automatic Indonesia, South jakarta
Popular
Franck Muller Crazy Hours
7851 CH
Rp.88,402,876
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34 14233 Very good Gold/Steel 34mm Automatic Indonesia, Malang
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34
14233
Rp.75,000,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 2201.51 Unworn Steel 42mm Automatic Indonesia, Surabaya
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean
2201.51
Rp.73,161,001
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Omega Speedmaster 378.0801 / 178.0002 Good Steel 42mm Automatic Indonesia, Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara
Omega Speedmaster
378.0801 / 178.0002
Rp.66,062,895
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Ulysse Nardin Dual Time 3343-126/92 Very good Steel 42mm Automatic Indonesia, Medan
Ulysse Nardin Dual Time
3343-126/92
Rp.65,540,063
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Blancpain Le Brassus 4213-3442-55B Very good Platinum 42mm Manual winding
Promoted
Blancpain Le Brassus
8 Jours
Rp.381,046,878
+ Rp.2,271,040 for shipping
TAG Heuer Link CT511A.BA0564 Good Steel 42mm Automatic Indonesia, Jakarta
TAG Heuer Link
Calibre 36
Rp.45,725,625
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Chronoswiss Delphis CH 1423 Very good Steel 38mm Automatic Indonesia, Jakarta
Chronoswiss Delphis
CH 1423
Rp.38,988,988
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook R32116158 Very good Steel 37mm Manual winding Indonesia, Sidoarjo
Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook
Over Pole Worldtimer
Rp.33,750,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Longines Conquest Heritage L16114 Very good Steel 35mm Automatic Indonesia, Sidoarjo
Longines Conquest Heritage
Black Dial
Rp.17,300,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller

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Omega Constellation 168017 Very good Steel 35mm Automatic Indonesia, South Tangerang
Omega Constellation
168.017 Cal. 564
Rp.16,293,564
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
TAG Heuer Connected SBF818001.11FT8041 Good Titanium 41mm Quartz Indonesia, Sanur
TAG Heuer Connected
SBF818001.11FT8041
Rp.14,588,631
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Omega Genève 166.0174 Good 38mm Automatic Indonesia, 14245
Omega Genève
166.0174
Rp.11,000,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Raymond Weil Tradition 54661-STC-00300 Very good Steel 40mm Quartz Indonesia, Jakarta
Raymond Weil Tradition
54661-STC-00300
Rp.7,000,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Breguet Marine 5517BR/G3/9ZU New Rose gold 40mm Automatic
Promoted
Breguet Marine
Automatic 40 Mm
Rp.373,425,941
+ Rp.2,271,040 for shipping
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 15510ST.OO.1320ST.09 New Steel 41mm Automatic
Promoted
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding
41 mm Stainless Steel Green Dial 15510ST.OO.1320ST.09
Rp.990,721,883
+ Rp.1,508,946 for shipping
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony 47200/000J Very good Yellow gold 36mm Automatic
Promoted
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony
Classic 47200 Power Reserve guilloché dial gold 18KT Full Set 1996's
Rp.168,638,389
+ Rp.2,444,035 for shipping
Rolex Day-Date 36 18378 Very good Yellow gold 36mm Automatic
Promoted
Rolex Day-Date 36
18378 President 18K Yellow Gold Champagne Diamond Dial
Rp.647,764,451
Free shipping
Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Moonphase TA 345.0810 Good Titanium 43mm Manual winding
Promoted
Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Moonphase
Teutonic Mondphasen Chronograph Titan / 18Karat Gelbgold
Rp.122,201,731
+ Rp.2,851,374 for shipping
Rolex Explorer II 16550 Very good Steel 40mm Automatic
Promoted
Rolex Explorer II
16550 Cream Dial Fullset 1986 Box+Papers
Rp.421,840,376
+ Rp.2,444,035 for shipping
Rolex Day-Date 36 18038 Good Yellow gold 36mm Automatic
Promoted
Rolex Day-Date 36
18038
Rp.245,282,090
+ Rp.2,453,765 for shipping
Omega Constellation 168.005 Very good Gold/Steel 34mm Automatic
Promoted
Omega Constellation
Pie Pan
Rp.41,699,601
+ Rp.587,811 for shipping
Maurice Lacroix Pontos Chronographe PT6178-SS001-330-1 New Steel 43mm Automatic
Promoted
Maurice Lacroix Pontos Chronographe
Automatique Herrenuhr ETA Valjoux 7750 Automatik PT6178-SS001-330-1
Rp.32,310,138
Free shipping
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 77450ST.OO.1361ST.01 New Steel 34mm Automatic
Promoted
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding
"50th Anniversary" 34mm
Rp.541,086,567
+ Rp.2,271,040 for shipping
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26240OR.OO.D404CR.02 New Rose gold 41mm Automatic
Promoted
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph
Green Dial Converted Bracelet 26240OR
Rp.2,057,653,142
+ Rp.1,508,946 for shipping
Zenith Defy El Primero 95.9000.9004.78.M9000 Very good Titanium 45mm Automatic
Promoted
Zenith Defy El Primero
21 Power Reserve
Rp.159,921,332
+ Rp.977,614 for shipping
Girard Perregaux Laureato 81015-32-432-32A Unworn Ceramic 42mm Automatic
Promoted
Girard Perregaux Laureato
81015-32-432-32A "Earth to Sky" Edition Skeleton Dial
Rp.728,546,389
Free shipping
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 25940SK.00.D002CA.01A Very good Steel 42mm Automatic
Popular
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph
25940SK.00.D002CA.01A
Rp.415,485,886
+ Rp.5,702,748 for shipping
Rolex GMT-Master 6542 Very good Steel 38mm Automatic
Promoted
Rolex GMT-Master
6542 US Air Force Fullset 1959 Collector Set Military Watch Papers+Box
Rp.1,580,475,724
+ Rp.2,444,035 for shipping
Rolex Datejust 31 278273 Unworn Gold/Steel 31mm Automatic
Rolex Datejust 31
Medium Diamanten Perlmutt - Stahl / Gelbgold - Armband Stahl / Gelbgold / Jubilé - 31mm - Ungetragen
Rp.325,854,990
+ Rp.2,444,035 for shipping
Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700 Very good Yellow gold 41mm Automatic
Popular
Patek Philippe Nautilus
Jumbo 3700/11J Blue Dial Yellow Gold B+P
Rp.4,480,730,146
+ Rp.4,073,391 for shipping
Maurice Lacroix Fiaba FA1003-SD502-170-1 New Steel 28mm Quartz
Promoted
Maurice Lacroix Fiaba
Diamonds Round Date Ø 28 mm Damen-Armbanduhr besetzt mit 71 echten Diamanten 0,32 ct
Rp.14,550,153
Free shipping
Girard Perregaux Laureato 81005D11A182511A New Steel 38mm Automatic
Promoted
Girard Perregaux Laureato
81005D11A182511A
Rp.179,854,127
+ Rp.2,271,040 for shipping
Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN New Steel 41mm Automatic
Promoted
Rolex Submariner Date
41mm Stainless Steel Black Dial - Ceramic Bezel (126610LN)
Rp.228,628,127
+ Rp.1,508,946 for shipping
Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M 2594.52.00 Good Steel 41.5mm Automatic
Promoted
Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M
Chrono Diver
Rp.53,687,294
+ Rp.977,614 for shipping
Patek Philippe Chronograph 7150/250R-001 Unworn Rose gold 38mm Manual winding
Promoted
Patek Philippe Chronograph
Complications 7150/250R Chronograph 18K Rose Gold Silver Arabic Dial
Rp.1,051,674,142
Free shipping
Rolex Daytona 116520 Very good Steel 40mm Automatic
Popular
Rolex Daytona
Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
Rp.391,029,246
+ Rp.5,702,748 for shipping
Zenith El Primero New Vintage 1969 96.1969.469/77.C683 Good Titanium 40mm Automatic
Promoted
Zenith El Primero New Vintage 1969
Skeleton 40th Anniversary Limited Edition
Rp.122,185,438
+ Rp.391,046 for shipping
Rolex Datejust 31 278271 Unworn Gold/Steel 31mm Automatic
Rolex Datejust 31
Medium Diamanten Perlmutt - Stahl / Roségold - Armband Stahl / Roségold / Jubilé - 31mm - Ungetragen
Rp.325,854,990
+ Rp.2,444,035 for shipping
Chopard L.U.C 168596-3001 Very good Steel 42mm Automatic
Chopard L.U.C
Chrono One Flyback 42mm limited Edition of 250 Ref. 168596
Rp.329,944,674
+ Rp.4,073,391 for shipping
Jaquet-Droz J017510241 New Steel 39mm Automatic
Promoted
Jaquet-Droz
Grande Heure Minute Quantieme 39mm
Rp.112,425,593
Free shipping
Rolex Cellini Prince 5442 Good Rose gold Manual winding
Promoted
Rolex Cellini Prince
5442
Rp.166,136,439
+ Rp.2,271,040 for shipping
Rolex Submariner (No Date) 124060 New Steel 41mm Automatic
Promoted
Rolex Submariner (No Date)
Black Dial No Date 124060
Rp.198,144,377
+ Rp.1,508,946 for shipping

Swiss Watches: World-Renowned Timepieces

Swiss watches are synonymous with precision and luxury. The most well-known names in the business, with few exceptions, all hail from this Alpine country. Rolex, Omega, IWC, and Breitling all represent tradition and high quality.


Everything to Know About Swiss Watches in This Article

  • Buying advice for Swiss-made watches
  • Watches in different price ranges
  • Manufacturers, collections, and models
  • History of the Swiss watch industry

Which Swiss Watch Should I Buy?

If you want to buy a Swiss watch, you have a wide range of options. The right way to find out which watch is best for you is to ask yourself the following question: How much do I want to spend?

A new, brand-name Swiss watch with a mechanical movement can cost as little as 1,000 euros. You can find watches from manufacturers such as Chronoswiss, Maurice Lacroix, Oris, and Raymond Weil in this price range. Some series from these manufacturers are more expensive, however. For example, Raymond Weil's Nabucco chronograph costs around 3,000 euros new with a titanium case. TAG Heuer and Tissot also have a large selection of watches available for less than 5,000 euros.

Rolex and Omega are probably the most well-known representatives of Swiss luxury watches. The legendary Omega Speedmaster Professional is available in many different variations for less than 5,000 euros. The version closest to the original Moonwatch chronograph, which you can find under reference number 311.30.42.30.01.005, costs around 3,500 euros and has a stainless steel case. The material certainly influences the price, as cases made of precious metals are much more expensive than those made of stainless steel.

An Omega diving watch from the Seamaster collection with a gold case costs around 15,000 euros. The Rolex Submariner without a date display and a stainless steel case costs around 6,500 euros new. You should be prepared to spend at least 23,000 euros for a yellow gold Submariner, and 25,000 euros for a Rolex Daytona.

Patek Philippe's Nautilus is one of the most sought-after and expensive stainless steel sports watches from Switzerland. Without any complications, the women's version costs 20,000 euros, and the men's 25,000 euros. With a white gold or platinum case, the price jumps to 140,000 euros. The Calatrava, also from Patek Philippe, is the definition of a classic, elegant dress watch. New, the most popular version costs around 15,000 euros.

If you decide to go with a watch from Breguet or Blancpain, expect prices over 100,000 euros. Cases made of precious metals, diamond-set cases and straps, and intricate complications such a tourbillon increase the value of such watches. The newcomer Hublot also has some watches in this price range. The futuristic MP-05 LaFerrari watch usually costs 200,000 euros. The version with a sapphire glass case is over double the price, costing more than 400,000 euros.


Watches: Iconic Exports

Watches are a defining part of Switzerland's cultural image. They're more iconic than the banks and the cheese; only chocolate ranked "more Swiss" than watches according to a survey of participants from 15 different countries.

About 30 million watches leave the production halls of this little Alpine country every year. The variety amongst these watches is impressive. They range from traditional gold watches with complications such as a:

  • Moon phase display
  • Perpetual calendar
  • Minute repeater
  • Double chronograph

to diving and pilot's watches. Some of the Swiss companies even produce high-tech smartwatches. Many of these watches function as status symbols, ignoring their actual intended functions. Many diving watches from the Seamaster and Submariner collections will never go underwater, and only a small number of the pilot's watches sold by IWC or Breitling are actually worn in the cockpit. These watches work equally well as a tool watch or a luxury lifestyle object.

There are also mass market affordable watches, such as the famous quartz-powered Swatch with its bright and colorful plastic case. There are now mechanical versions with a simple 51-piece movement. The typical Swatch looks somewhat cheap and is not taken seriously by many watch fans, but certain models have sold at high prices as vintage watches. Furthermore, the Swatch is significantly responsible for helping the Swiss watch industry survive the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s and 80s. The Swatch watch, trendy and colorful, broke Swiss watches out of their conservative, stuffy image and attracted a new target audience. Above all, young people were attracted to this bright and simple watch.

However, luxury watches are what people think of when they think of Swiss watches. Switzerland leads the world in watch exports if you don't rank by number of timepieces. While only about 2% of watches sold worldwide come from Switzerland, they are worth 60% of the total value.

Many well-known brands with long watchmaking traditions belong to the Swatch Group (market share: 18%) or to luxury goods concerns like Richemont (market share: 16%) or Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH, market share: 5%). Rolex is the largest independent Swiss luxury watch manufacturer (market share: 12%). Their independent status greatly contributes to their outstanding reputation.


Overview of the Most Important Swiss Luxury Watch Manufacturers

Manufacturer Founding year Location of headquarters Parent group
Audemars Piguet 1875 Le Brassus Independent
Blancpain 1735 Le Brassus Swatch Group
Breguet 1775 L'Abbaye Swatch Group
Breitling 1884 Grenchen Independent
Chopard 1860 Geneva Independent
Hublot 1980 Nyon LVMH
IWC 1868 Schaffhausen Richemont
Jaeger-LeCoultre 1833 Le Sentier Richemont
Longines 1832 Saint-Imier Swatch Group
Omega 1848 Biel/Bienne Swatch Group
Patek Philippe 1851 Geneva Independent
Rolex 1905 Geneva Independent
TAG Heuer 1860 La Chaux-de-Fonds LVMH
Vacheron Constantin 1755 Plan-les-Ouates Richemont
Zenith 1865 Le Locle LVMH

Rolex

Rolex is number one amongst the large manufacturers. The Geneva-based manufacturer has been in business since 1905. Rolex produces some of the most famous and beloved watch models in the world, such as the Submariner, Daytona, and Datejust.

The Submariner is the definition of a diving watch, the Daytona is one of the most famous chronographs, and the Datejust embodies elegance. Rolex's pilot's watch is the Air King, and their GMT Master II displays a second time zone. With the invention of the perpetual rotor, Rolex significantly contributed to the breakthrough of the automatic watch in the 1930s. Every year, the manufacturer sells around 800,000 watches featuring their iconic five-point crown. Rolex doesn't publish any official sales numbers. However, since Rolex has their watches certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), we can calculate how many Rolex watches are produced based on the COSC's publications.


Omega

The most famous man to wear a Rolex is undoubtedly James Bond. He completes many of his missions with a Submariner on his wrist. However, the British secret agent switched to Omega, a member of the Swatch Group, in 1995. Omega plays a central role in the Swatch Group's company strategy, as they see the brand as a strong competitor for Rolex. Rolex isn't the only manufacturer with legendary watch models; Omega has their own to be proud of. The Seamaster is a diving watch collection that's been in production since 1948. The famous French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau wore a Seamaster. Another iconic Omega watch is the Speedmaster Professional. "Speedy," as it's nicknamed by fans, was the official NASA watch on the Apollo missions, making it the first watch on the Moon in 1969. The so-called Moonwatch is available today, almost unchanged from the original version, but now features a modern Co-Axial caliber and comes in many special limited editions. There's also the De Ville series, which showcases Omega's classic side.


International Watch Company (IWC)

IWC, based in Schaffhausen, also offers elegant Swiss watches, such as the Portugieser. They're even more famous for their pilot's watches, though; their Big Pilot watch and the Mark series are considered excellent pilot's watches. The Mark 11 was the official service watch of Royal Air Force pilots for decades.


Breitling

Breitling is a strong competitor for IWC in the realm of pilot's watches. Breitling's Navitimer is considered one of the most important pilot's watches. The watch, which was introduced in 1952, has a special slide rule function. It has two logarithmic scales on the dial which you can turn to perform various calculations, such as distance and fuel consumption. Breitling also offers powerful diving watches with their Superocean series and some versions of the Avenger. Rolex, Omega, IWC, and Breitling are all considered to be on the same level, thus Breitling also has a conservative, elegant line as well, the Transocean. Besides mechanical timepieces, Breitling also offers quartz watches with refined technology, such as the Emergency with an integrated distress beacon.


Patek Philippe

One rung higher on the luxury watch ladder is Patek Philippe. It's clear from the start that this manufacturer is a bit different: Most of their cases are made of solid gold. In the Swiss watch industry, steel cases are used around 50% of the time. Precious metals like gold and platinum are only used around 2% of the time. Patek's Calatrava collection is a symbol of the company and the epitome of a stylish dress watch. This watch collection debuted in 1932 and was inspired by the Bauhaus art movement. Patek Philippe's Nautilus also has a special position in their portfolio. It's a stainless steel sports watch waterproof to 120 m (12 bar) – all unusual qualities for a Patek watch. The company has a long history of watchmaking. The independent family business has existed under this name since 1851. Until 2009, Patek Philippe used the Geneva Seal as a symbol of high Swiss quality. Now, the company uses their own seal with even stricter standards.


Blancpain, Breguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre

Blancpain and Breguet have been in business even longer. Today, they're both members of the Swatch Group. Abraham-Louis Breguet founded his company in 1775. He's responsible for countless important watchmaking inventions, such as the tourbillon. Blancpain has been around since 1735. Their most famous series is the Fifty Fathoms diving watch. Brands such as Patek Philippe, Breguet, and Blancpain, are representative of the conservative values of the Swiss watch industry. This applies to Jaeger-LeCoultre as well. This manufacturer has been producing high-quality watches since 1833. Their Reverso is one of the most popular rectangular watches.


Hublot

Hublot takes an entirely different approach. This relatively new manufacturer plays the role of the rebel most excellently. One distinctive Hublot feature is their unusual, square-edged porthole design, which occasionally borders on the bizarre. Legibility isn't Hublot's main concern. Instead, they show a preference for the use of unusual materials such as ceramic or titanium. With their patented Magic Gold alloy, Hublot broke new ground. Magic Gold is an incredibly scratch-resistant alloy composed of gold and ceramic. Magic Gold comes quite close to the ideal, everlasting case material. Hublot was founded in 1980. In 2005, under new leadership, they introduced the Big Bang series. The Big Bang caused a sharp increase in sales, catapulting this Genevan manufacturer into the same league as other well-known Swiss brands. The somewhat calmer Hublot alternative to the Big Bang is the Classic Fusion.


Audemars Piguet

Hublot is not without precedent. Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak, introduced in 1972, as well as their Royal Oak Offshore, inspired Hublot's designs. The wide bezel with visible screws was directly influenced by the Royal Oak.


TAG Heuer

When it comes to TAG Heuer, it's all about timing. They patented their first stopwatch mechanism in 1882. TAG Heuer has dedicated themselves to the art of racing ever since – it's not a coincidence that their most well-known series is called the Carrera. Even the rectangularMonaco is a legend amongst racing watches. The actor Steve McQueen wore a Monaco in the film Le Mans.


Tissot

Watches from TAG Heuer are in a moderate price range. This applies to Tissot as well. Aside from classic mechanical watches, Tissot offers modern quartz watches as well. The T-Touch Expert Solar is solar powered. It's a multi-function watch with background lighting, a second time zone display, chronograph function, timer, alarm, compass, barometer function, and many other extras. The watch has a titanium case and is waterproof to 100 m (10 bar). The T-Touch Expert Solar has features that only an electric-powered watch can offer. Such an array of functions is impossible for a mechanical watch, especially one that costs less than 1,000 euros.

Other manufacturers also combine Swiss quality with moderate prices, such as Longines, Raymond Weil, or Maurice Lacroix. These companies often use calibers from the world's largest ébauche manufacturer, ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse, which is also based in Switzerland. The Swiss company Sellita also offers movements that can be found in the watches of many famous manufacturers. Only a few brands produce their own calibers, such as Rolex and Patek Philippe. !Zenith has some of the most important automatic chronograph movements in watch history. The fast-paced El Primero caused a stir when it was released in 1969; it even had a watch named after it.


Top 10 Swiss Luxury Watch Manufacturers According to Production Numbers

Manufacturer Number of watches produced per year
Rolex 800,000
Omega 700,000
Breitling 170,000
IWC 100,000
Chopard 80,000
Jaeger-LeCoultre 75,000
Patek Philippe 60,000
Hublot 40,000
Audemars Piguet 37,000
Zenith 35,000

Post-Quartz Crisis Revival

The Swiss watch industry began in the 18th century. Up until the second half of the 19th century, Switzerland was considered a place where it was easy to produce watches affordably. IWC, with roots in the United States, based their business model on this concept.

After many successful years, the industry suffered in the 1970s and 80s during the Quartz Crisis. Cheap, mass-produced quartz watches produced in Asia endangered traditional Swiss production. Some manufacturers disappeared forever and many workers lost their jobs. Yet surprisingly, Swiss watches later experienced a renaissance which has lasted to this day. The fascination with the technical genius that goes into mechanical watches enthralls watch lovers all over the world. Many manufacturers with longer histories are no longer independent, however. Merging with a large concern, such as the Swatch Group, Richemont, or LVMH, saved many of these manufacturers from going under.

Unexpected competition has popped up since then. The German town of Glashütte was trapped behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany until 1990. Watches have been produced in Glashütte since the mid-19th century, but they were far from being luxury watches when Germany was divided. Now, other manufacturers such as A. Lange & Söhne and Glashütte Original have established themselves in Glashütte, making Glashütte watches true competition for Swiss manufacturers.