What does "Swiss made" actually require?

Under the Swiss Federal Act on the Protection of Trademarks, a watch may be marked "Swiss made" if at least 60% of its manufacturing cost is generated in Switzerland, the movement is Swiss, the movement is cased up in Switzerland, and the final inspection is performed in Switzerland.

Where is Swiss watchmaking concentrated?

Production is concentrated along the Jura Arc - Geneva, the Vallée de Joux, Neuchâtel, Le Locle, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Bienne, and Schaffhausen - and in a small number of historic family manufactures.

Europe

Switzerland

The historical and modern center of mechanical watchmaking. The Jura Arc - running from Geneva through Le Locle, La Chaux-de-Fonds and the Vallée de Joux - is home to the manufactures of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Breguet, Blancpain and most of the Swatch and Richemont watch maisons. The label "Swiss made" is regulated by federal ordinance.

Capital

Bern

Currency

Swiss franc (CHF)

VAT / Tax

Standard VAT in Switzerland is 8.1% (as of 2024). Visitors residing outside Switzerland may reclaim VAT on personal purchases above the published threshold via the customs export-validation procedure.

Signature Brands

Rolex
Patek Philippe
Audemars Piguet
Vacheron Constantin
Omega
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Breguet
Blancpain

Traveler Note

Watches & Wonders Geneva, the industry's principal trade fair, is held annually in spring at Palexpo. The Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva and the Musée International d'Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds are the two essential horological collections.

Watch Cities in Switzerland

Geneva
Geneva is the symbolic capital of haute horlogerie. Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Rolex are headquartered here, and the Geneva Seal (Poinçon de Genève) - administered by the canton - is one of horology's most stringent quality marks.