Throughout the world, the reputation of Swiss made watches is unrivalled. Know-how, impeccable quality, aesthetic prowess, and technical innovation— the label ‘Swiss made’ reflects all this, and much more. Two words which, combined with renowned brands, guarantee the best choice for the consumer in search of a high-value timepiece.
What is ‘Swiss Made’?
The coveted mark of ‘Swiss Made’ found on the dial of most Swiss watches is the official identifier of a truly magnificent timepiece. The Swiss made label relies not only on considerable intrinsic value but also on criteria defined by law. At present, the conditions stipulating whether or not a watch or a clock can display this label are determined by a Federal ordinance.
Apart from the obvious interpretation that a timepiece has been manufactured in Switzerland, the label ‘Swiss made’ is also a benchmark for the technical quality of watches (accuracy, reliability, water and shock resistance), as well as their aesthetic quality (elegance and originality of design). It covers both traditional manufacturing and new technologies (micro-electronics).
Conditions for using ‘Swiss made’
To obtain the ‘Swiss made’ label, a watch must meet certain minimum standards covered by the Federal Council’s Swiss Made Law (OSM).
According to Section 1a OSM, a watch is considered to be Swiss if it meets the following criteria:
- The movement is Swiss
- The movement is cased up in Switzerland
- 50% of all of the watch components were made, assembled and inspected in Switzerland
- The movement does not exceed 50mm in diameter and 12mm in thickness.
Protecting the label, protecting the public
The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH (FH) plays a dual role in the protection of the Swiss made label. First, the FH advises companies on the lawful markings for watches and movements according to the Federal Council’s Ordinance governing the use of the word ‘Swiss’ for watches; and secondly, the FH may act against companies which illegally use this indication to protect the consumer as well as the reputation of this label, which is synonymous with quality and reliability.
Because the marking provides customers with the best of guarantees, it’s not surprising the Swiss watch industry is very active in safeguarding the integrity of ‘Swiss made’, given this asset is abused by counterfeiters. According to estimates by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, a fine watchmaking foundation, 40 million fake Swiss watches are manufactured and sold every year.
The vigilant customer can also play an effective role in fighting counterfeiting and piracy by only purchasing watches from reputable sales points or authorised distributors. Original brand-name products are rarely sold at beaches, public markets, roadside or sidewalks. A noticeably lower price or a dubious deal is also a key indication of a fake watch, not to mention, the absence of the original packaging, instruction manual, and/or official guarantee certificate.
Bernhard H. Mayer® Swiss watch manufacturing excellence
By owning a Bernhard H. Mayer® premium luxury item, one is guaranteed the prestige and reputation of the Swiss made label on their wrist. The supremacy with which each watch is handled — from the initial concept, to design, and final production – is all done 100% in-house at a watch production facility in Switzerland.
The Bernhard H. Mayer® brand of luxury Swiss made watches brings together a rare combination of time-honoured techniques, advanced research, cutting-edge technology, and powerful technical resources — all in strict accordance with Swiss standards and guidelines.
For each item to be worthy of the Swiss made distinction, the utmost care, exacting skill, and meticulous attention to detail is exerted by Bernhard H. Mayer® master artisans to produce items of the highest standard and value
Exclusive distributorship by QNET
Customers can be assured of 100% authentic Bernhard H. Mayer® Swiss made watches presented in a handsome wooden box packaging, complete with a Certificate of Authenticity and International Guarantee when they purchase a timepiece from QNET.
QNET has just launched one of its most popular models in India – Force Maximus by Bernhard H. Mayer®.
Read more about QNET’s Bernhard H. Mayer® Collection of watches here.
