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Our Most Popular Models


283,073 listings including promoted listings
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Jaquet-Droz Astrale J012633202 Unworn Rose gold 43mm Automatic
Promoted
Jaquet-Droz Astrale
The Eclipse Annual Calendar Rose Gold (MoonPhase)
Rs.1,227,838
Free shipping
Eterna Vaughan 7630.69.10.1185 Very good Rose gold 42mm Automatic
Promoted
Eterna Vaughan
Rose Gold Big Date 7630.69.10.1185 LIKE NEW - FULL SET
Rs.560,055
+ Rs.6,261 for shipping
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Lady 67651or.zz.1261or.01 Very good Rose gold 33mm Quartz
Promoted
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Lady
67651or.zz.1261or.01
Rs.5,017,204
+ Rs.9,094 for shipping
Rolex Datejust 41 126303 New Gold/Steel 41mm Automatic
Promoted
Rolex Datejust 41
Oyster 41 mm Oystersteel and yellow gold 126303
Rs.1,185,499
+ Rs.8,383 for shipping
Breguet Marine 5517BR/G3/9ZU New Rose gold 40mm Automatic
Promoted
Breguet Marine
Automatic 40 Mm
Rs.2,074,623
+ Rs.12,617 for shipping
Rolex Day-Date II 218206 Very good Platinum 41mm Automatic India, Mumbai
Rolex Day-Date II
218206
Rs.5,624,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Breguet Tradition 7038BR/18/9V6/D00D Unworn Rose gold 37mm Automatic
Promoted
Breguet Tradition
Dame
Rs.2,846,427
+ Rs.9,094 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
Rs.5,842,731
Free shipping
Vacheron Constantin 4072 Very good Rose gold 36mm Manual winding
Promoted
Vacheron Constantin
Chrono Chronograph 18K Rose Pink Gold Rotgold Manual Handaufzug French Case extremely rare
Rs.2,259,252
+ Rs.27,220 for 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
Rs.2,994,098
+ Rs.18,147 for shipping
Chopard Happy Sport 274808-5003 New Rose gold 36mm Automatic
Promoted
Chopard Happy Sport
Automatic 18K Rose Gold Factory Diamond Watch 274808-5003
Rs.1,524,213
+ Rs.12,702 for shipping
IWC Big Pilot IW5002 Very good Steel 46mm Automatic
Promoted
IWC Big Pilot
50110 movement
Rs.721,327
+ Rs.12,612 for shipping
Rolex Datejust 41 126300 New Steel 41mm Automatic
Promoted
Rolex Datejust 41
Stainless Steel & White Gold - Black Index Dial - Smooth Bezel (Ref# 126300)
Rs.1,058,481
+ Rs.8,383 for shipping
Girard Perregaux Laureato 81005D11A182511A New Steel 38mm Automatic
Promoted
Girard Perregaux Laureato
81005D11A182511A
Rs.999,206
+ Rs.12,617 for shipping
Rolex Submariner Date 116610LV Very good Steel 40mm Automatic India, ganganagar
Rolex Submariner Date
116610LV
Rs.2,100,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 26470OR.OO.A125CR.01 Very good Rose gold 42mm Automatic India, 110048
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph
26470OR.OO.A125CR.01
Rs.6,072,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Day-Date 36 18038 Very good Yellow gold 36mm Automatic India, Mumbai
Rolex Day-Date 36
18038
Rs.1,600,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR Very good Steel 40mm Automatic India, New Delhi
Rolex GMT-Master II
126710BLNR
Rs.1,500,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Datejust 41 126334 Unworn Steel 41mm Automatic India, Chandigarh
Rolex Datejust 41
126334
Rs.1,300,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time Q8108420 Unworn Steel 41.6mm Automatic India, 110048
Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time
Q8108420
Rs.975,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Cellini Time 50505 Unworn Rose gold 39mm Automatic India, 400076
Rolex Cellini Time
50505
Rs.969,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Breitling Chronomat UB0134101B1U1 Unworn Gold/Steel 42mm Automatic India, 038
Breitling Chronomat
UB0134101B1U1
Rs.858,892
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 124300 Unworn Steel 41mm Automatic India, 411005
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41
124300
Rs.820,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Girard Perregaux Laureato 81060-21-492-FH3A Unworn Titanium 44mm Automatic India, Bangalore
Girard Perregaux Laureato
81060-21-492-FH3A
Rs.800,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Datejust 36 16233 Unworn Gold/Steel 36mm Automatic India, Bangalore
Rolex Datejust 36
16233
Rs.700,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Moonphase 304.33.44.52.03.001 Very good Steel Automatic India, Ahmedabad
Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Moonphase
304.33.44.52.03.001
Rs.650,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Datejust 36 1601 Good Rose gold 36mm Automatic India, Pune
Rolex Datejust 36
1601
Rs.620,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Explorer 124273 New Gold/Steel 36mm Automatic
Promoted
Rolex Explorer
Steel and Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual Explorer Black Dial Oyster Bracelet 124273
Rs.1,058,481
+ Rs.8,383 for shipping
Breitling Chronomat 44 CB0110121C1C1 Very good Gold/Steel 44mm Automatic India, east delhi
Breitling Chronomat 44
CB0110121C1C1
Rs.600,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
IWC Portuguese Chronograph IW371606 Very good Steel 41mm Automatic India, Hyderabad
IWC Portuguese Chronograph
IW371606
Rs.550,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller

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Breitling Bentley B05 Unitime AB0521U4 Very good Steel 49mm Automatic India, Pune
Breitling Bentley B05 Unitime
AB0521U4
Rs.554,644
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow 321.90.42.50.13.001 Very good Gold/Steel 42mm Automatic India, Mumbai
Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow
321.90.42.50.13.001
Rs.500,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Breitling Bentley GMT A4736212/B919 Very good Steel Automatic India, Mumbai
Breitling Bentley GMT
A4736212/B919
Rs.498,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Franck Muller Conquistador 8005 CC King Very good Steel 40mm Automatic India, DEHRADUN
Franck Muller Conquistador
8005 CC King
Rs.425,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 231.10.42.21.03.003 Unworn Steel 41.5mm Automatic India, Dehradun
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
231.10.42.21.03.003
Rs.385,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Tudor Black Bay GMT 79830RB Unworn Steel 41mm Automatic India, New Delhi
Tudor Black Bay GMT
79830RB
Rs.376,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Breitling Navitimer World A24322 Very good Steel 46mm Automatic India, Gurgaon
Breitling Navitimer World
A24322
Rs.375,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 220.10.41.21.10.001 Good Steel 41mm Automatic India, Mumbai
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
220.10.41.21.10.001
Rs.369,395
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M 210.30.42.20.04.001 Very good Steel 42mm Automatic India, Bhilai
Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M
210.30.42.20.04.001
Rs.365,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Breitling Super Avenger V13375101C1X1 Very good Titanium 48mm Automatic India, Pune
Breitling Super Avenger
Night Mission 48
Rs.349,582
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Breitling Navitimer 1884 A2135024/BE62 Very good Steel 39mm Automatic India, 751002
Breitling Navitimer 1884
A2135024/BE62
Rs.340,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Tudor Black Bay GMT 79830RB Unworn Steel 41mm Automatic India, JUHU
Tudor Black Bay GMT
79830RB
Rs.305,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 6534 Fair Steel 34mm Automatic India, Mumbai
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date
6534
Rs.299,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Omega De Ville Hour Vision 431.33.41.21.03.001 Very good Steel 41mm Automatic India, ganganagar
Omega De Ville Hour Vision
431.33.41.21.03.001
Rs.275,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M 2599.80.00 Very good Steel 41.5mm Automatic India, 110068
Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M
2599.80.00
Rs.275,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Longines DolceVita L5.502.5.19.7 Unworn Gold/Steel 20mm Quartz India, 160019
Longines DolceVita
L5.502.5.19.7
Rs.250,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Oyster 6020 Very good 30mm Manual winding India, MUMBAI
Rolex Oyster
6020
Rs.239,178
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6466 Very good Steel 30mm Manual winding India, MUMBAI
Rolex Oysterdate Precision
oyster
Rs.234,050
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 79030B Very good Steel 39mm Automatic India, Chennai
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight
79030B
Rs.215,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 36 car2b11.ba0799 Very good Steel 43mm Automatic India, Ahmedabad
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 36
car2b11.ba0799
Rs.220,079
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex 6066 Fair Yellow gold 31mm Manual winding India, Mumbai
Rolex
Oysterdate Precision
Rs.199,999
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
IWC Portofino Automatic IW3533 Good Steel 38mm Automatic India, Pondicherry
IWC Portofino Automatic
IW3533
Rs.203,228
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rado Centrix R30036752 Very good Rose gold 38mm Automatic India, Bangalore
Rado Centrix
R30036752
Rs.180,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Omega De Ville Prestige 424.10.37.20.02.001 Good Steel 36.8mm Automatic India, PUNE
Omega De Ville Prestige
424.10.37.20.02.001
Rs.160,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook R32505203 Unworn Steel 42mm Automatic India, Bengaluru
Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook
R32505203
Rs.160,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Tissot Heritage T1244271604100 Very good Steel 43mm Automatic India, Coimbatore
Tissot Heritage
T1244271604100
Rs.160,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Favre-Leuba 001010108.52.20 Very good Steel 46mm Automatic India, Pune
Favre-Leuba
Harpoon Raider
Rs.150,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Oris Divers Sixty Five 01 733 7771 3158-07 5 19 04BR Very good Bronze 38mm Automatic India, Mumbai
Oris Divers Sixty Five
01 733 7771 3158-07 5 19 04BR
Rs.130,666
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Oris Divers Sixty Five 01 733 7720 4051-07 5 21 02 Very good Steel 42mm Automatic India, Hyderabad
Oris Divers Sixty Five
01 733 7720 4051-07 5 21 02
Rs.115,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Baume & Mercier Classima MOA 10333 Very good Steel 42mm Automatic India, Delhi
Baume & Mercier Classima
MOA 10333
Rs.115,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Longines Conquest Heritage L1.645.4.75.4 Very good Steel 40mm Automatic India, Gurgaon
Longines Conquest Heritage
L1.645.4.75.4
Rs.115,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Oris Big Crown Pointer Date 01 754 7741 4087-Set LS Very good Steel 40mm Automatic India, Mumbai
Oris Big Crown Pointer Date
01 754 7741 4087-Set LS
Rs.113,586
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Quartz CAZ1011.BA0843 Unworn Steel 43mm Quartz India, Tirupur
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Quartz
CAZ1011.BA0843
Rs.110,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller

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.