Interesting Pyramid - my dad was a Jaeger Lecoultre watchmaker, so I'm bound to agree with their placing. Baume et Mercier and Chopard are both local firms, and I am sure locals would put BM above D.
Where do you put my other local firm Parmigiani? Ulysse Nardin would move up a few places too, for me.
If there already has been a discussion on this, then I apologise: what do you think of a fairly new entrant Hublot? Its office is based in my town and hence I feel a strong sense of loyalty
- Do you intend to buy a swiss watch as an investment and pass on? If yes, go for the top of pyramid (Caveat - even if you pass your treasured watch on to your child (50 years on) he/she might have no interest as it will be out of fashion
- Only automatic & mechanical watches have a resale value.
- Always hold to your box and receipt, its as valuable as the watch itself
- Before buying think whether you need a fashion watch (Cartier, Longines, Baume M. etc) or a serious Swiss watch (Patek, Rolex, JLC etc...). I prefer 2nd category
- Stick with a classic design. Trends come and go but a classic design always retains interest and buyers
- Considered buying 2nd hand? Go for it if it is complete with box & papers and from a trusted seller. You will buy much cheaper
- Remember automatic watches arent all perfect. I have heard atleast a dozen people who complained that very expesnive Rolexes etc dont keep time if you dont wear it and keep it locked in cupboard. Then you need a bloody winder to keep it ticking.
- Rolexes etc. have an annual servicing charge - used to be 300 GBP or something every 2 years...
- Lot of people regret buying very complicated dials (chronos) which are sometimes impossible to maintain and change each month
- Whatever you decide to buy - Enjoy your watch, Good luck
An 'authentic' Swiss watch will be my choice of souvenir to remember my time in Switzerland by. Seeing as I will permantently leave my 20's behind in a few months, this year might just be the year it happens.
Some good tips to keep in mind there maverick. Can anyone recommend some forums or books I can take a look at to start building up a knowledge base? I will certainly be sticking to the budget side of things (less than 10k) but I like to make sure the money is not wasted and I'm getting the good gear.
A lot of watches use the same movements, much of it manufactured in China. For it to be called "Swiss Made", a majority of the value has to have come from Switzerland. So swiss parts can be shipped to China for assembly, then shipped back to Switzerland for assembly, casing and inspection.
Wikipedia article on the use of the trademark "Swiss Made" on Swiss watches:
I prefer the second category as well and I am currently watching an auction on one - unfortunately without box and papers. Up to now my only preowned "serious watch" came with all the stuff ... and I do not really know how much the missing papers and box should bring the price down. I am looking to buy from reputable, professional seller and am 100% sure that it is not a fake (you know... high end movement and chrystal back are something you can hardly fake.). How many percents of value (or a total in CHF) does a preowned watch from one of the brands in the top part of the triangle (not Rolex) lose? Any thoughts?
Let me just share my tiny knowledge about about watches.
Nr. 1 As far as i know Swiss Military and Victorinox are two completely different company's.
You can buy the swiss military ones for very cheap direct at the manufacture on Geneva's high street, forgot what its called.
Further Victorinox can be bought in allot of places for 30% percent cheaper then thy cost in the stores.
If your looking for a luxury watch (above 6000 CHF) and you dont mind not buying it from a high street store, where you get charged double the value of the watch pm me with what you want and well try make a deal usually atleast 30 percent cheaper.
Swiss watches are made in Switzerland, most of the time according to a long historical tradition that guarantees their quality in terms of precision and duration. I have swiss watches since long time, they last forever, especially Victorinox, Swiss Military, Wenger are really swiss style. But also the Mondaine are with no doubt 100% Swiss taste!!!
Of course, Seiko beat all-comers in 1967 in the Swiss Neuchatel time keeping competition. Up to then this had been an annual competition, but after 1967, the Swiss promptly abandoned the competition.
I had a Ebel 1911 for about 15 years and sent it for service regularly. One day it started to run slow, so I sent it in for adjustment/repair. Short story: I had to send it back 5 times for repair before it ran right. What a disappointment - it's such a classic design and I really loved that watch but I just couldn't trust it anymore. I now have an Omega Moon Watch and quite like it.
Yes, yes. They are so famous for putting the Swiss cross on Chinese made stuff that Minder - the guy with the bonus-payment vote a couple of months ago - filed a report at the customs a while back and let them seize the goods coming from the factories in the far east for final assembly here..