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BF_Hammer
717
Apr 2, 2018
This is nothing new. On watch forums this has been a topic off and on for 15 years, possibly longer but that is only how far back I go with the hobby.
The Swiss government and the watch industry are protecting their brand(s) image. Basically the rule as spelled out on their own organization's documents is a watch must be made with 51% Swiss parts within Switzerland in order to be labeled "Swiss Made". There are other standards to get a "Swiss" label or "Made in Switzerland" label which I do not remember off the top of my head now. I am quite sure of that 51% rule for Swiss Made.
On a side note, in the late 1990's I bought a Wenger Swiss Army watch. It had Swiss Made on the dial. I was disappointed but not surprised the first time I opened the back to replace the battery and saw the inside of the case back printed with "China Case".
PMJ1999
382
Apr 2, 2018
BF_HammerThat makes a lot of sense for the value priced watches like Wenger, Invicta, etc. but what about mid tiered luxury brands like Oris, Tissot, Glycine, etc. In other forums there is speculation that the case and bracelet for the Omega Speedy Pro are made in China.
I'd be disappointed if the case and/or bracelet on my Speedy Pro were made in China.
Thanks for weighing in!
BF_Hammer
717
Apr 3, 2018
PMJ1999Wow, I just composed a very long reply with photos, and it all disappeared. Here goes again.
I have read for years unofficially that Hamilton uses Chinese cases and bracelets. I would not dispute many other brands of Swiss watches I have currently use them. Nobody is going to fess-up as long as keeping up a smoke-screen continues to work.
Now just to put a fresh perspective on this, let me tell you about my Omega Seamaster 300. The movement is an authentic Omega calbre 565 from the late 60's or early 70's. The rest of the watch is genuine restoration parts with Omega's marks. The same parts Omega uses for their restoration service in Switzerland. It was all assembled fresh with the movement serviced and these new parts into a new watch in Australia by Watchco (who was then an official Omega service center). Is it Swiss or is it Australian? Does it even qualify as authentic Omega? Should we really care? I don't.
I will add this kicker to the story. It came with a replacement Speedie bracelet authentic in all detail to the 1960's bracelet, folded links and friction-snap clasp included. I found it hard to wear because the clasp kept popping open when I flexed my muscles as I lifted something left-handed. I currently have an "unbranded" Chinese duplicate of a modern Speedie bracelet on the watch. It makes it much more wearable, and really I think it could be the equal of the Omega-engraved item that sells for 10X as much as I bought this for. Is that wrong? Does that make the watch something less? I don't believe that personally or I would not have done it. Is it possible the bracelet is extra production from outside of the official Omega runs? Maybe. What is that engraving worth?
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