What is the definition of a Swiss watch?
Like
Champagne, Bordeaux or Port, certain products have stringent standards
(based on location or quality) that must be met before carrying a
particular designation. The Swiss have several organizations to ensure
the integrity and reputation of Swiss watchmakers. The accepted standard
for what constitutes a Swiss-made watch is a Swiss movement, set into
its case in Switzerland, by a manufacturer of Swiss origin.
A Swiss movement is defined as a movement that was assembled in
Switzerland (by a Swiss-based manufacturer), and whose Swiss movement
parts constitute 50% or more of a movement's total value. Movements that
meet this requirement will carry a stamp (on the watch's face or back
of the case) with the words "Swiss," "Swiss Made," "Swiss Quartz,"
"Suisse," "Produit Suisse" or "Fabrique en Suisse." The former three are
the most popular in North America.
If
your watch says "Swiss Movement," it means that the inside parts of the
watch are Swiss, but that the case is not, therefore it cannot carry
the other stamps. If the case is Swiss, but the movement is not, it will
say "Swiss Case."
Some other tidbits: If your watch has a "T" on its face, it means it has
tritium , the greenish-white substance on the hands and numbers that
glows in the dark. If the face has the letter "O," it means that the
hourly markings on the dial are made of gold.
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