Not What You Think! The TRUTH About Swiss Made Watches - Watch and Learn #93

What does Swiss Made mean, exactly? You may have heard rumblings, I even did my own video on it years ago. But today I will dive deeper into the crazy, tangled web of what exactly does Swiss Made mean.
For this video, I reference heavily the FHS, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. You can find them online at WWW.FHS.CH.
You can read the document yourself, and make your own determination at: www.fhs.swiss/...
If you liked the video, why not pay the store a visit!
You can find us at: www.LongIslandWatch.com
Leave your comments down below.
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Facebook: / islandwatch
Thank you for watching!

[@islandwatch]

I'm gonna hijack and pin my own comment. I could put this in the description, but I have my doubts of how much that is read! Everything I speak about in this video comes from FHS.CH, the Swiss Watch Federation. I left links to the docs in the description, you should read them in you're interested. My intention here is to have fun, and of course, educate. Many people will say "well, it's all a lie". For some, that is probably a true statement. But I will say a majority of brands keep it real and do their best to provide a Swiss made product. Are there brands who are gaming the system? Sure. But there's loads of good actors. Lastly, I will say this. . . it speaks volumes that the Swiss had to create a 37 page document about what defines a Swiss watch (keep in mind, this is just watches, not cars, not electronics, nothing. . .). The Swiss Made moniker on watches is supremely important to the Swiss economy, and this document shows this.

[@DonaldoJTrumpet]

Well, of course it's not about cars or electrics, Duh. The Swiss aren't very good at that. What they are very good at is convincing people that ugly, boring watches made by people with no flair for design or inovation, are worth buying at massively inflated prices. It's a scam, same as the super car market. You have to buy many, many models ( which will depreciate enormously as soon as you have bought them) to convince them you are "worth" selling to, before they will let you on the waiting list for what you really want. Do yourself a favour.

[@georgecupac1202]

I received your skeleton watch and it's awesome. Great job 👍.

[@clifforddriver9434]

It's BS. You simply don't have to be Swiss in order to purchase the Swiss making watch equipment. And magically appear in Japan or China making quality watches. Or is that part of the industry manipulated the same way. These people are trying to control the resale value. And like most capitalist. Trying to keep the competition at bey.

[@secfeed6987]

Hey I respect and understand this is coming from their documentation. I got nothing against you or your channel. But I understand how the world works, I have zero faith in that document and their standards. It's no different from the fashion industry. It's merely a ploy to part you from your money. It's really kind of silly and am surprised no one can see through the bullshit.

[@Artificial-Stupidity]

This is why I like Marc: he's not a shady business guy. 👍 There is no point making this sort of video for him, but It's very considerate that he does.

[@ianjohnhorwood2605]

oh yeah , i got sent a different horrible watch than what i had ordered a few years back . Wouldn't trust him with a barge pole . His business practice made me not trust his business practice , period .

[@jtec99]

Thanks for truth in production brother. First time I've ever personally seen someone pull back the curtain.

[@mohnnadmercedes8246]

Tudor recently romeved Swiss word on bracelet guess where they come from 🙄🤔

[@islandwatch]

thanks for watching.

[@alvinmick218]

I was vaguely aware that being Swiss made was not totally made in Switzerland but I had no idea of how diluted “Swiss made” could really be. Great presentation! 🥃

[@islandwatch]

Thank you

[@paulcaskey]

Let's face it. I didn't need a new watch, but I WANTED a new watch. So I just bought my first Islander.

[@ProjectSerpo90]

Love the advertisement. I definitely don’t need and more watches. But i wanted a new watch so i bought a Squale from Marc. Now im eyeing up another one.

[@bsbullshit2024]

Welcome to the club. I got two already :)

[@drnick40]

😂😂😂

[@MrBacchus18]

Actually nobody needs a watch this isn't 1985

[@bsbullshit2024]

@@MrBacchus18 My guess is that you never served in the military or anyone that is closed to you did

[@poomsiraprapasiri8448]

I’m from Thailand and while doing some research for work I found that one of the top export categories FROM Thailand TO Switzerland are watches and watch components. I know there is some watchmaking industry here, as a proud owner of WISE and other Thailand-made (assembled?) Casios and Seikos, but I had no idea it is that big.

[@SubCapt]

Yup. Movement manufacturer Ronda has a major production plant in Thailand, for example.

[@Black_Cat_997]

You might even guess that an excellent brand like WISE is using (or owns) a factory that does cases for companies that make mid-tier "Swiss" watches.

[@ge48421]

If you’re the owner of a movement manufacturer like the Swatch group is you can manipulate the pricing of the movements to get to 60% too, so Tissot makes less of a profit and ETA makes a bit more. I’m sure you can get an external accountant like PWC to approve it if you are creative enough.

[@ElJibaro718]

Excellent video as always, Marc. Hey wait, is that a bottle of Sriracha hot sauce on the shelf? Lol.

[@pittss2c601]

Outside movements is a Swiss thing. That’s one reason why I like Japanese watches. They are almost always in-house movements such as Casio G Shock and Grand Seiko.

[@stevens1041]

Kurono didn’t make its own movements.

[@mstcrow5429]

Don't care if in or not. Wasn't even really a thing until the 1980s, I believe.

[@victormarrotti2575]

Personally as long as the watch does what I want it to do then I don't care if it was made on the moon.

[@3581tossit]

Orient

[@Matt-li6gn]

The 60% gig has been going on for a long time. Would be interesting to know what proportion of parts manufactur and assembly is required for the movement to qualify.

[@ricetreechronicles]

Appreciate you educating us on the moniker “Swiss Made.” Mahalo and Thank you Mark.

[@adk7962]

It’s like three crown monte….🤔. Always enjoys Professor Marc’s lessons.

[@islandwatch]

LOL

[@natedogg5386]

Very interesting video concept, also very educational. Thankyou much Marc!! Keep up the great work!!

[@islandwatch]

thanks!

[@mihais7183]

Good stuff Marc, but there are other swiss calibre makers like La Joux-Perret, Soprod, Kenissi and STP just to name a few.

[@saleendriver]

And for the 93rd time, we are all smarter. Excellent video sir.

[@islandwatch]

You got that right!

[@doohantallywhack8267]

How about made in japan requirements next?

[@islandwatch]

I'm not sure they are published. But I'll look.

[@efreutel]

👍👍👍

[@blethook]

@@islandwatch They are similar to "Made in Swiss" requirements, if not more lax.

[@johnvienna3422]

Yes, please do! I have several JDM Seikos, and I'd love to know to what extent they're actually Made in Japan​@@islandwatch

[@SubCapt]

@@blethook more lax indeed. Made in Germany and Made in France too are more lax.

[@el_puma_real]

I’m really enjoying these educational/informative videos I’m seeing on YT lately. Great content here that reminds me of the stuff Mike from ‘ This watch, That watch’ makes. Hope to see more.

[@cdeaker]

Saw some watches by NWC / navalwatches with “Swiss Mov’t” on the dial: immediately thought of what you said 07:00

[@WaterJake]

Do assembly costs also count as part of the 60% costs? The high cost of Swiss labor would far outweigh the costs of a third party off-the-shelf movement and make it even easier to reach the required quita.

[@3581tossit]

Exactly!

[@mrbrisvegas2]

AFAIK is only labour costs. Most of the cheaper 'Swiss' mechanical movements are just rebranded Chinese movements.

[@frostygill]

Well, I watched the whole video!! I’ve now reached a level of Watch Nerditidy that I previously had judged inconceivable. Marc, you are so relatable and kind and informative that I actually stayed for the whole 15 minutes!! With my cute adult adhd, that’s saying something. Anyhoo, my first Islander watch will arrive next week!!!! Yahoo!!! Thanks, Marc!

[@derekcarroll7524]

Just picked up my new islander watchb I live in England so...its worth it the watches are great, Next time I'm coming to get it.

[@30kHunter76]

It’s been a little bit since I’ve watched one of your videos. Camera quality has improved and looks great in the last couple that I’ve watched. Great topic and thanks for the info.

[@islandwatch]

thanks so much, welcome back!

[@FestinaWatch]

Interesting video, nice calculation and good explanation. 🙂 It's more strange for me that there are guys pretending to be watch enthusiast for many years and buying expensive watches without knowing actually what "Swiss Made" means... Anyway. However that's one reason I prefer brands with good traditions in the watchmaking, quality and even history with Swiss origin than a watch with "Swiss Made" written on the dial. Ronda also are producing quartz movements by the way 🙂

[@andrebreuer3264]

Thank you for this video, Marc. Truth to be told 😉 This is also a reason for me not to overrate this Swiss Made stuff. Whenever I see a new brand that claims to be swiss my alarm bells are ringing.

[@MrBendixx]

Thank you Marc for your brilliant analysis!

[@markusbe.musicfromtheunder2497]

ALWAYS educational (informative) and entertaining. Thanks for sharing, I can see a lot of research went into this. Love you, this channel and Island watch (own a few gems). Cheers! M.

[@aldo9923]

This was kind of eye opening, thanks for the information

[@johnmonachelli5256]

Probably why so many bracelets look like an afterthought

[@islandwatch]

perhaps

[@dandahl5964]

Which ones?

[@KB-vf4gz]

Thank you for explaining ! Great information

[@hatpeach1]

Terrific video! Take away is that the cheapest legitimate Swiss made watch can cost no less than $500. Would be cool for you to do a video on the cheapest "Made in the USA" watch would be.

[@adilislam702]

Hey Marc, love your videos mate, very educational, keep it up lad, quick question, should i get my NH35a serviced or just buy a new one?.

[@cretan911]

Love those time pieces on the wall behind you. Amazing

[@islandwatch]

thanks!

[@Walnutman5700]

Nice job Mark. Very enlightening. Keep up the good work.

[@simonwright6882]

Great Information 👍. I'm not sure if I dreamed it but did longines out sell rolex last year?

[@michaelj8793]

Thanks for sharing as always I appreciate the dedication that you put into Islander watches and your company overall Be well Godspeed and of course Wheels Up my friend 👍

[@islandwatch]

I appreciate that!

[@tjanders9863]

Great video !! So Informative !!! Thanks Marc

[@POLO8072]

Important to note too that the assembly and QC of the watch are usually included in the manufacturing costs, which sometimes can be extremely expensive in themselves.

[@Bob_Smith19]

And those numbers can go through creative accounting to make sure they reach the 60% threshold.

[@islandwatch]

Yes, you can get creative, and in my example, I'm doing it myself. Just a fun exercise.

[@jenniferalbert910]

This was SUCH good information - thank you!

[@arphos8328]

Good timing on the video. This year I'd like to really save up and splurge on a Swiss made piece. Those Islander Republic GMT's look pretty appealing, any chance of a restock this year?

[@jamesherrington5606]

Hmmmmm. Marathon may be example of stretching Swiss Made a bit but wow excellent work.

[@jamesjohnson7905]

Could you make the statement that no matter what it says on the dial if it has a seiko movement its essentially a seiko. Just like volkswagen group cars using the same running gear and parts bin .but put a different body on it and it's a audi, skoda, or vw.

[@chrishennemeyer7276]

In addition to ETA, Sellita and Ronda, there are Soprod, STP, La Joux-Perret, Kenissi and a few other small manufacturers of movements in Switzerland.

[@rondrysdale9804]

I just loved this! Does this help to explain my $499 Herodia Mediterraneo? Which I still love? With the SW200 movement? Which leads me to this ... from the blurb on your new $$$$ Laco watches ... "Movement: Laco 200, based on the Sellita 200 ( Top ), with date display at 4 o'clock or Laco 330, based on the Sellita SW 330 ( Top ), with date display at 6 o'clock and GMT function" My clomage has a similar (but unregulated) movement??

[@johnsrabe]

Thanks for this. You again prove that a businessperson can be reasonably transparent and still do well. I have a feeling that if the US made more watches, their lobbyists would try to get the US standards lowered. Our pols are probably getting money from Switzerland.

[@masterwatch]

I've been told some very interesting information about where the actual individual watch parts all come from. A good quality bracelet can sometimes actually cost more to make than the whole watch head.

[@islandwatch]

Absolutely true.

[@masterwatch]

@@islandwatch There are some very interesting manufacturing origin(s) of some top and middle brands. I do understand the pressures on business to search and stock suppliers as the costs do vary and if you buy wrong (ie too expensive) you can be left with no profit margin and then the business struggles, whereas if the price is set right and matches the market conditions you can have a winner. I think Long Island offers a great value (and great build quality) watch and very important in this market space. Long Island deserves all the success it has achieved.

[@santaclause2875]

Awesome stuff, Marc. Thanks! New subscriber here, will 'drop by' your store and see whatchya got!!!

[@maximumsavage4056]

If Im not mistaken, the sub portion that describes a "swiss movement" stipulates that only 50 percent of that needs to be swiss as well. So when you get into it, its increasingly less swiss. Im not even sure if they stipulate what that percentage means (volume, quantity, time, cost, etc).

[@islandwatch]

The sub-portion is actually 60% also (from what I remember reading)

[@ryanjofre]

You make Jews, Americans and New Yorkers proud! God bless you man!🙏🇺🇸

[@boutchmanz]

Case in point - consider how many Invicta watches have said “SWISS MADE” on the dial. Great stuff as always Marc!

[@MK-fc2hn]

They meant swiss 🧀

[@leonidaslantz5249]

Is that a big bottle of Sriracha on the shelf?

[@martinpower2439]

thanks Mark great episode, not sure whether I should buy another ‘ Swiss ‘ watch or make my own, in layman’s terms it sounds quite achievable with the right drive/passion

[@islandwatch]

With drive, anything is possible.

[@romanmichaelhamilton8729]

Concerning bracelets, I ordered an Mido OEM steel mesh bracelet for my Ocean Star. I ordered it directly from Swatch and when once received the the plastic envelope that the bracelet was in has 'MADE IN CHINA" on it. Never really feel about the Swatch group again now. Maybe the Omega bracelets are also from China?

[@H0kram]

Modern industries and legislation are so complex, thank you for breaking it down Mark.

[@islandwatch]

thank you for checking it out.

[@cosmalas7742]

Fascinating.... Nicely done Mark. Perhaps I can go on holiday to Switzerland ( which is beautiful btw). While there I might build a Swiss Made watch, which will help pay for the holiday

[@islandwatch]

LOL, good idea.

[@librogrande]

What percentage of Sellita movement manufacturing cost is made in Switzerland and should that factor into calculation?

[@islandwatch]

That's in the document too! All spelled out for you.

[@piotrszmidel]

Sellita have their own,pretty impressive production facilities in Switzerland,theres a vid on KZbin showing it

[@LuisBorba]

I'd love to know what percentage of Rolex and Patek are actually Swiss Made. Are they hovering around the basic requirements or are they closer to top end of the percentage?

[@farhansyed2566]

Thank you, Marc, for covering such an important topic, I was always intrigued by the fact that how come these days so many microbrands are coming with Swiss made written on them, it always made me think that they lack in quality as compared to a Seiko or Casio at times but still are swiss made. Now I can very much understand where the problem lies. Obviously as you said no offence to great brands like Rolex or Omega. It was a great watch and learn video.

[@wrenside]

transparency is a factor to consider. some watch companies have opened their doors for you to see their process. others seem more mysterious. take Ball watches - and i own a couple - but i know little or nothing about the company and are not owned by a swiss concern but there it is, Swiss Made. oh and great video. wow great stuff.

[@islandwatch]

Transparency is the key!

[@mrbrisvegas2]

Ball is a Chinese owned company based in Hong Kong. Their watches are about as 'Swiss' as fried rice.

[@johnnynorre]

Sorry - this got very long... I enjoyed the video and liked it, and you have many valid points. I have also looked into these "swiss made" rules (and the old 50% rules). Like the new "Swiss made" Stuhrling Chronographs, which is more expensive than Tissot Prx chronographs (at least in Denmark, where I live). I think your interpretation of "in Switzerland" is wrong - they (imo) clearly mean a tax paying swiss based company, not just a tourist physically present in Switzerland. But that still makes your point, as it is easy to buy a 100% chinese engineered and manufactured watch and add lots of monetary value in Switzerland, i.e. paying $25 for the watch and using 4 hours of looking at it at a factory in Switzerland, then the 4 hour salary probably is $100 and now 80% of the manufacturing cost is in Switzerland. This was almost legal under the old rules (some technical stuff about the movement manufaturing, which was also by value, so buying a $10 movement in china (chinese design and manufacture), adjusting it a little in Switzerland (where 50% = $10 are quikly used on salary, rent, taxes etc) and presto, the movement was swiss (like the swiss made Claro CL-888 reference.grail-watch.com/movement/claro-cl-888/). Funnily, Stuhrling are still selling watches with the "cl-888" as "swiss movement" - no "Swiss made" watch are using this movement, as it does not adhere to the new rules. So the new rules are actually an improvement over the old ones. I most coutries, it is very difficult and often impossible to make everything in the country. Where does the steel come from? Where does the sand used to make the glass come from? In quartz watches, where does the raw PCB, the resistors, the IC's, the capacitor comes from? So the "swiss made" rules are actually fairly (imo) ambitious. A few factual comment to the video: * At 1:59 you show a text stating that a product must be "all or virtually all" made in USA to qualify a American. I am not american so I can only search and find (like you did as a non-Swiss citizen) that www.madeinamerica.gov/ (it claims it is "An official website of the United States government" - I don't know if this is correct, but it looks legitimate) states that 60% (2023), 65%(2024) up to 75% in 2029 must be "domestic" content - this is a far way from the 100% in your infographics, which I do not see where you have found. Also, there is a 55% "poor me, it's too expensive/too difficult" fallback, even in 2029. * At 3:59 - ETA, you can't buy anymore - it's only for the SWATCH group. Rolex is likewise only for Rolex these days. But you can also get at least Sophod (Festina/Sophod), Manufacture la Joux-Perret (now owned by Citizen, but still Swiss). * At 14:12 - Moser & Cie has expressed the same concerns as you and hence does not mark their watches with "Swiss made". But this is no different than ole italian producers of Amarone (a relatively expensive red wine) dont think the grape ratio of old to new grape types and age, that allow new wineries to produce Amarone, is fair to them (the old producers). But worse than this (and this is a jab at American laws) that you can buy US produced Parasan cheese, Champagne, Prosecco and even Amarone (www.landonwinery.com/project/amarone/) made in the US is totally idiotic (there are no chinese Amarone, Champagne or the other stuff) and by these standards we should be allowed to put "iPhone" on each and every phone produced in the rest of the world. This at the same time, reduces the value of "Made in America" to the rest of the world. Finally, I expect the Tissot PRX chronograph mentioned above to be more Swiss than the Stuhrling "Swiss made" chronograph above. While "Stuhrling" markeds themselves as an american company, they has their base and most production in Hong Kong, while "SWATCH group" (Tissot) has so many companies under their umbrella, that economic of scale will make it more cost effective to produce, lets say the backcase in Switzerland, than produce the backcase in China for the cheaper watches like Tissot/Certina/Hamilton and another backcase for the more expensive watches like Longines, Rado, Omega (just a thought up example) - at production at scale, you can often get better prices by buying a more expensive part that satifies your most demanding customer and use it for even the most cost consious customer - it is simply cheaper buying, stocking, and productionwise to have only one part (something that is difficult to explain to customer that finds "cheaper" and think we can reduce the price to him by using that - I work in the electronics production industy, where this is a common "problem").

[@tockdsc]

Are those tally sheets available somewhere to look at?

[@ronaldmcclelland1085]

Great presentation!

[@Bill_the_Terrible]

Lots of Christophe Duchamp "Swiss Movement" watches being pedalled here in South Africa at ridiculous RRP, like Tudor BB money about and you see them on Marketplace for like a 10th of the RRP. I always thought it stank to high heaven. Thanks for this explanation, it makes a lot of sense now

[@greamespens1460]

Look and Learn Business edition - great

[@islandwatch]

thank you

[@BobMarley-pm1xb]

Fine vid Marc. I learned a lot. Thanks

[@prod.deathwish]

i get that some watch companys need outsourcing but not having the case made where its stated is ridiculous i understand the crystal and even bracelet but common even the case can be out sourced?

[@hugejohnson5011]

Marc, great video. I like the way you think about things and are able to articulate your information on a chosen subject. You would probably make a good flight instructor one day! Anyway, over the years I've done the breakdowns of several aspects of automobile manufacturing, and your "Swiss Watch" feature reminds me of telling people about their BMW SUVs made in the good ol' USA and popping their baloon of thinking a skilled dude named Klaus in Bavaria made their vehicle, and it was likely a woman named Theona in Alabama or some such! Nothing wrong with that, but it has put some snooty people in their places. Cheers!

[@islandwatch]

LOL. My BMW truck is made in the Carolinas, and it has the Alpina badge. Yeah, I know the truth, but still love it!

[@hugejohnson5011]

@@islandwatch Nothing wrong with that. Even eons ago, at Mercedes-Benz, a car was just as likely assembled by a Turkish immigrant than a German born employee. It's just the way the world has always worked, since the beginning of recorded history. I mean, who built the Egyptian pyramids?

[@hugejohnson5011]

@@islandwatch As an aside, I used to service my bosses kid's X5 with the 4.4 V8, and that drove nicely. I bet yours being a hotrod goes like a rocketship! Cheers!

[@BAF605]

I think most watch nerds know this but it's worth reiterating. No matter where a watch is made the buyer mustn't take anything for granted. I like watches from many countries but German manufacturers have my greatest respect. Made in Germany is very loose but their QC standards are high, even their entry level brands. Glashutte manufacturers are in a class on their own.

[@Catoftheogdollcollectors]

Interesting thank you for the info

[@TerminusVox]

Marc spills the tea.

[@nintendokings]

Tbh most countries have flexible rules like this, I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s a problem. As long as you know that any

[@D6EH]

Another great video. Thanks Marc.

[@MrSparklespring]

It's only logic. The labour costs are extremely high in Switzerland so they have to outsource certain parts. No problem since they have a swiss standard quality control. Otherwise they price themselves out of the general market.

[@marcosmenescal2962]

Although many Swiss watch brands use parts from Asia, these parts must meet strict quality standards to ensure they are up to Swiss watchmaking standards. The reason for sourcing some components from abroad is that producing everything in Switzerland is quite expensive and there is nothing wrong with that.

[@thomasward00]

The Swiss watch industry is a scam

[@johnsoradi]

i love this content. good for you mark

[@islandwatch]

thank you

[@paulc9588]

Good video. Many of us will be aware that this sleight of hand is part and parcel of the Swiss watch industry, but the video helps to clarify just what is going on. For Swiss made I'll stick to Ricola herbal sweets in future. Or are they 'Lovingly made in PRC to a traditional Swiss recipe, quality inspected and packaged in Switzerland' by any chance?

[@pederlindstrom3132]

Hello Marc,, I am still alive 😂 Interesting video with what is the requirments for Swiss Made. One more Interesting thing is why do you have a great big bottle of Sriratcha sauce in your studio?

[@thebiblioholic]

That's the famous Sriratcha bottle clock. The label makes one revolution every 12 hours. 🙂

[@LS1007]

Invicta ( not that I’m a fan ) has a line called Reserve that had Swiss made on the dial. I noticed some time ago they no longer say that on the dial. Maybe they got busted? Thanks for the video. Have a great weekend! 🙏🏼

[@islandwatch]

or they changed their manufacture

[@owenlaprath4135]

Chiun, Master of Shinanju: "Watches are a confidence trick invented by the Swiss." Remo Williams, 1985 (ask TGV, or Hugo, if you do not know the movie)

[@AnyoxB.D.]

New high def camera set up?

[@darrenhojnacki6636]

I thought I saw on a KZbin channel, maybe Jenni Elle, that the Swiss were looking at changing it from 60% to 80% but some big watch lobby got the legislation stopped. This was maybe 2 years ago

[@islandwatch]

They wanted to go to 70%, never happened.

[@randallhill7979]

Thank you for sharing this information Marc. 👍

[@islandwatch]

My pleasure!

[@LasseSnellman]

Does the movements "swiss/swiss made" have same rules, so those manufacturing costs should be 60% swiss also? 😊

[@jasonchatham4170]

Just FYI Marc. My Rangemaster Mechanical is running great after daily wear since its release. #206/1000. When is Rangemaster 2 coming huh? 😎

[@jaemisboker3288]

What a good info...! Thanks for sharing.

[@slick5favorite]

Now the question is how much if the movement can be made outside of Switzerland. How many parts in the Sellita SW200 are made in Switzerland?

[@Matt_S104]

Enlightening. Great video.

[@michaelriera6277]

Very informative, thanks

[@cougarbatterie]

Marc, here in France it's basically the same thing to have the "made in France" stamp on any item. It's a bit of a marketing gimmick and I agree that it removes all the charm and the value attached to the "Swiss made" reputation.

[@Trapvision3D]

Thanks for the info. This was great and informative. You're the man!

[@islandwatch]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@a_z.tazzzfan8497]

I am curious about one thing that was not mentioned (maybe it's not a requirement); are there any requirements regarding the case back or is this a brand decision? I'm going to use Invicta for this example... I have a few pieces that read Swiss Made or Swiss Movement on the dial. On the case back, in addition to the standard Invicta model#, etc, it also reflects where in Switzerland the piece was made and/or assembled. There's also a S/N or Cons. No. with the rest of the Swiss information. S/N's do not appear on any of the non-Swiss Invicta's. Here are 2 model #'s so you can see what I'm talking about: 29544 = S/N 22854 = Cons. No.

[@islandwatch]

Swiss made can only go on the visible portion of the caseback if the watch is Swiss made. If the caseback is, then it can be stamped on the INSIDE ONLY.

[@a_z.tazzzfan8497]

@@islandwatch Nice to know they're "legit". The description in each instance is on the visible side of the case back. Thanks for the clarification. ⌚🤙

[@erikk1820]

Great video. Subscribed.

[@Bhethar]

Thank you so much for this video! Well that explains why some “Swiss made” watches look oddly similar to some Chinese made ones. If I were San Martin I would rent a small apartment in the Swiss alps now 😂

[@RomeoJulietGulf]

Could you consider doing the quartz version of Swiss made?

[@islandwatch]

Maybe!

[@EclecticGearhead]

New camera? Looks good.

[@WengKinChan]

Great video! Thanks for making it and sharing this with us Marc!

[@sinjinadams2862]

So basically I can buy one of the higher end Chinese/AliExpress watches that offers a Sellita or ETA movement and other than the fact that it wasn't assembled in Switzerland would be just as Swiss as some Swiss made watches.

[@nickfowler515]

More or less, depending on how quality control compares. Pay a little more for a microbrand (or an Islander, seeing as how we're here) that offers some assurances in that regard and you're good to go, in my opinion.

[@Bob_Smith19]

Truth

[@Soul_of_a_Robot]

Pretty much. The only different is the nationality of the fingerprints in the case

[@hugejohnson5011]

Big yes to that.

[@islandwatch]

Yes, but you gotta pay attention to QC as the Swiss are much more stringent.

[@nchance1]

Thanks for the great perspective

[@lancemclean5700]

Makes sense why so many brands from so many countries all have the same basic look with their cases, bezels etc (prob Asian made), yeah qa/ac is likely better in certain countries which may get you a better watch but as far as looks they all can kind of look similar.

[@gij0e83]

So the Squale I bought from Long Island Watch is 60% Swiss Made?

[@DISK2000]

Love how the selfie at 9:10 shows a brick wall in Marc's sunglasses reflection :D

[@islandwatch]

I know where I was; it was in Bern. That's all I remember, LOL