Why are Swiss watches more popular than German watches?

[Lightsped]

Everyone (including many non-watch people) knows that Rolex, Tudor, and Omega are all nice watches. Other Swiss brands too.

But most people (probably quite a few here) have probably never heard of many German brands. Like Hanhart, Sinn, Nomos, etc....

[Dan Pierce]

Just in sheer numbers Swiss watches are more popular but I love my Sinn and there are other German brands I'd be proud to own.
dP

[GB-man]

Because of Rolex and patek.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Because of Rolex and patek.

And even before them Vacheron and Breguet.

[enjoythemusic]

Why is German bier considered better than Swiss beer?

[Tools]

The Swiss watch industry has gone to great lengths to market their country products and see Swiss watches as a source of pride.

To say that one is better than another at the top tiers is a subjective call. Why leave out other great manufacturers such as Seiko?

[Slackergirl]

Because not enough people get to see a A Lange Sohne up close

[Ichiran]

There are many talented watchmakers from France too, like Abraham-Louis Breguet, FP Journe, Vianney Halter, Ferdinand Berthoud, Jean-Baptiste Viot, and the younger ones like Théo Auffret, Remy Cools, Sylvain Pinaud, Florent Lecomte, etc.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by HL65

And even before them Vacheron and Breguet.

Undoubtedly Ken. I was more commenting on the marketing prowess of brands like Rolex that have engrained the Swiss Made signature of quality into consumers heads.

Wilsdorf - German, Patek - polish, breguet - French

They made their homes in Switzerland because that’s where it made the most sense to for access to skilled labor I gather. Cottage industry etc etc

Fun fact which I’d bet you know… Jean Marc Vacheron himself was born in Geneva. So if you’re really about that Swiss life! Grab a VC.

[Ichiran]

Rolex is founded by a German and English in London :)

[Old Expat Beast]

British watches were all the rage at one time.

[Ichiran]

+ George Daniels' Coaxial Escapement.

[tigerpac]

Design.

[Lightsped]

There are quite a few very old German watch manufacturers - some with very interesting design elements and high build quality. Just not sure why they have never caught on to become noticed by watch people.

[Bazil]

Originally Posted by Lightsped

There are quite a few very old German watch manufacturers - some with very interesting design elements and high build quality. Just not sure why they have never caught on to become noticed by watch people.

Trust me there are plenty Lange and Glashütte watches I would buy/wear … , can easily spread the thread further afield and mention English watchmakers, not many but certainly some quality over quantity … Garrick / Christopher Ward , Roger Smith …

[GB-man]

I think a big part of the equation is the aftermath of WW2 and the fixed costs and skilled labor associated with watchmaking. The Swiss had the advantage in the early years of post war marketing at least in the United States.

[1William]

Marketing and emphasis. The Swiss have focused on watch manufacturing and while the Germans do it well, they also have many other goods and services they push forward. The automobile industry comes to mind first.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Why is German bier considered better than Swiss beer?

I’ll raise you a 🇨🇭 block of cheese

[Pw92676]

Marketing is a huge deal. Proportionally far more Swiss luxury brands than from elsewhere. And maybe other bias plays a part.

Personally, I enjoy ALS releases but don’t have a desire to own one. If I did buy a German brand, it would probably be a less costly brand just to throw into a collection.

[SoylentGreenChi]

Usual factors in business and economic history - mixture of talented/driven individuals, government and business association policy (including immigration, marketing, focus), and luck. David Landes’ A Revolution in Time provides a solid account, highly recommend: https://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Ti.../dp/0674002822

The rising visibility of German watches outside of Germany is one of the fascinating stories in the industry (IMHO) of the past thirty years. It’s admirable what Lange accomplished in the wake of the Cold War.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’ll raise you a ���� block of cheese

I'll see your CH cheese and raise with a Wagyu Steak. Grand Seiko is quite nice, too

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The real question may be, do the Swiss have some 'advantage' that no other country / countrymen can match or exceed?

Well, do they in 2025? Is human talent, as it pertains to horology, only limited to the Swiss / who the Swiss hire?

Times they are a-changin'.

Thank God we all know the 1960s 'Holy Trinity' marketing campaign is now virtually worthless other than for the Old Grandfathers as a memory. It could be argued that the old Trinity campaign stagnated horology. Today's young watchmakers and youthful enthusiasts are seeing far more advances and interesting horology than the Old School may still be clinging on to. Time and design have both moved forward.

imho ymmv

PS: Yes let us celebrate the history of horology, and also welcome fresh ideas and more youthful exuberance.

PPS: Popular with whom? Swatch sells a heck of a lot of watches.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

I'll see your cheese and raise with a Wagyu Steak. Grand Seiko is quite nice, too

_____________
------------------

The real question may be, do the Swiss have some 'advantage' that no other country / countrymen can match or exceed?

Well, do that in 2025? Is human talent, as it pertains to horology, only limited to the Swiss / who the Swiss hire?

Times they are a-changin'.

Thank God we all know the 1960s 'Holy Trinity' marketing campaign is now virtually worthless other than for the Old Grandfathers as a memory. It could be argued that the old Trinity campaign stagnated horology. Today's young watchmakers and youthful enthusiasts are seeing far more advances and interesting horology than the Old School may still be clinging on to. Time and design have both moved forward.

imho ymmv

PS: Yes let us celebrate the history of horology, and also welcome fresh ideas and more youthful exuberance.

I’d raise you a dolup of ���� maple syrup, but I don’t share that stuff

[enjoythemusic]

Mmmmmm, real Maple syrup (darker side pls).

You win.


When are ya tappin' your trees? :)

[enjoythemusic]

Btw, let's set the Wayback machine to 120 years ago.

America... Lancaster, PA to be exact.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

I'll see your CH cheese and raise with a Wagyu Steak. Grand Seiko is quite nice, too

While geographically accurate, there is no such thing as a Wagyu watch. Swiss watch, yes, wagyu , no. Also, no one ever says "hey, check out my cool Canadian Watch (no offense Marathon). Yet, everyone will gather round, gather round for a pile of Canadian Bacon and bottle of Canadian whiskey. I therefore submit this postulate, If you have your own cheese you have more popular watches. Of course, it goes without saying, American cheese does not apply because #notrealcheese. Just consider this as a possibility.

[enjoythemusic]

Ahhh, great points Easy E!

Plus there's nothing better than Napa Valley Champaign. Though Australian Champaign is said to be quite good too.

[77T]

If the beer, cheese, beef, and champagne has all been served, consumed, and cleared from the table....

It all started with a clock - so if you wonder why the Swiss trumped the Germans in watches, you first must understand clocks. And there were more countries than the two suggested in the OP's question.
Here is my idiosyncratic notion of the real reason:

The history of clockmaking in Europe is rich and complex, evolving over several centuries and marked by significant innovations in various countries.

Early Developments (Middle Ages)
- Italy: The origins of mechanical clocks can be traced back to Italy in the late 13th century. The earliest known mechanical clock was built around 1283 in the city of Padua. By the 14th century, cities like Florence and Milan had prominent public clocks, which became central to civic life.

- England: By the 14th century, England was also developing its clockmaking skills. The Salisbury Cathedral, completed in 1320, housed one of the earliest known mechanical clocks, which lacked a dial but marked hours.

The Renaissance and Advances
- Germany: In the 16th century, Germany became a hub for clockmaking innovation. Peter Henlein of Nuremberg is often credited with developing the first portable clock, known as the "Nuremberg Egg," around 1505. This marked a shift from large public clocks to smaller, personal timepieces.

- Switzerland: The Swiss joined the clockmaking scene in the 16th century, with Geneva emerging as a center for high-quality watchmaking. The introduction of the balance spring in the late 17th century allowed for greater accuracy in timekeeping.

The Age of Enlightenment
- France: In the 17th century, France made significant contributions to clock design. Notably, the work of artisans like Jean-Antoine Lépine in the 18th century led to the development of slim and elegant pocket watches that became fashionable among the nobility.

- England: The English clockmaker Thomas Tompion, often called the "father of English clockmaking," made considerable advancements in the late 17th century. He is known for creating precision timepieces and incorporating innovations such as the anchor escapement.

The 18th and 19th Centuries
- Britain: The Industrial Revolution in the 18th century brought about mass production techniques. Clockmakers like George Graham and John Harrison contributed to marine chronometers, which were vital for navigation. Harrison's H4, developed in the 18th century, was particularly groundbreaking and accurate.

- Germany: The 19th century saw Germany become a leader in clock production, especially with the development of the cuckoo clock in the Black Forest region. The precision and craftsmanship of German clocks became renowned worldwide.

Modern Developments
- Wristwatch Era: The 20th century transitioned clockmaking into the watchmaking era. The Swiss became known for luxury brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe; they won the Marketing War. Meanwhile, quartz technology revolutionized the industry, providing affordable and accurate timekeeping.

But...to paraphrase a famous movie:
Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.

Of course, not entirely true...


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