Ok, the real title should be, "what is the cheapest Swiss watch that doesn't source parts or labor outside Switzerland? The topic came up in discussion about Hamilton, and how some components are sourced in Asia. If I'm not mistaken Omega (did?does?) but I can't cite a reliable source. I'm hoping to avoid judgement and politics here, but someone may find it necessary to include such commentary. I'm really just curious to know the least expensive watches whose entire origin (parts and labor) is completely Swiss?
Unless it carries the Geneva Seal, it has parts sourced from China. That would make either Vacheron Constantin or Audemars Piguet the best value. The definition of "Swiss Made" is worded so that more than 50% of the value of the watch is from Switzerland. They can source all the parts cheap from China, or Vietnam, or where ever - and then assemble them in Switzerland, paying Swiss wages, that push the value over 50% of the final price. Hell, two or three hours of basic wages in Europe can account for a half dozen or more watches worth of parts from China.
Brings you back to the whole degrees of in-house debate which is a mess, but used market, something with a Calibre 601 or Longines equivalent from the 50s is as good as you can get. In today's market if you want something all German, not Swiss, Nomos is where its at, you'll be extremely hard pressed to outdo them at their price point, and the Germans can't be ignored, even Dufour owns and wears a Lange Datograph.
I would think Rolex is 100% Swiss parts and labor, no? Or are you suggesting Rolex offers no value? I really was trying to find a nice way to say "cheap," and compared to AP/VC, Rolex would be cheaper... True, I wasn't clear about my curiosity with all-Swiss CONTEMPORARY watches. I like Nomos a lot but I want the central seconds model...still waiting... And yes, I saw the video where M. Dufours remarked that the Lange Datograph was the finest of the mass-produced watches (and he really seems to hate Patek Philippe without saying as much!)...
I think they still outsource for some parts. If a watch could qualify for the Geneva Seal, you better believe they'd put it on their movements.
I read somewhere, I think on a Rolex blurb, that Rolex were bringing more of the manufacture back to Switzerland as they wanted to be more in control of the quality but also I suspect because more people are learning about the 51% rule and becoming disillusioned about paying a lot of money for something made in China. I don't know where Omega stand in this but believe most if not all is "made in Switzerland". Am I correct ?
No, they have parts made in China too. I remember reading that ETA has a factory in China, and ETA is part of Swatch Group and makes the parts for most, if not all, of the brands under Swatch Group's banner. Again, if the whole watch was made entirely in Switzerland, they'd be SCREAMING it from the top of every advertising mountain they could.
Oh how I love my 30T2, 12.68Z, 283, 1892, 999B....... made where it says on the movement.... be it Swiss or American
And the lack of finish is what makes a Rolex a Rolex I actually like Rolex a lot, even if they're made up of non-Swiss parts. Although, that is news to me. Maybe I should post that on the "What Did You Learn" thread?
Do all AP's have the Geneva Seal as I have an AP ROO and can't see anything in paperwork to say it has?
I love Rolex watches too, I just don't like the company or some of the people that own them. The SS Daytona is one of my favourite watches to wear but also carries the biggest stigma (well maybe next to a TT Submariner).
Rolex, Omega, Cascio, whatever... I don't care who makes it or who else wears it... More jerks don't wear Rolex than do. As long as I like it, that is what matters!
I wear the waches I like, with no regard to its social image or the "status" you are suposed to have when wearing that. I enjoy the same a vintage Omega, a cheap Seiko tool and any Rolex.
That's a beauty. Who cares if the dial was produced in Portugal? Or the hands and the Oyster bracelet from Rolex in Japan?
