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| Price
Points: Why fine Swiss watches cost more |
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Most watches have
mechanical movements made largely by hand. These movements
can require hundreds of hours of labor, and can only be made
by watchmakers with many years of experience. The more
complicated a mechanical watch is, the more functions it
has, the more you will have to pay for it |
Some watches are plated with, or made entirely of
precious metal: gold, or even platinum. These metals cost
much more than plastic, stainless steel, or base metal.
Furthermore, the gold used in Swiss watches is finer than
that used in most jewelry sold in the US (18k vs. 14k) so
the cost is even higher than you think. The cost is even
more if the watch bracelet, as well as the case, is made of
precious metal.
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Water resistance also adds to the cost of a watch.
Making a watch watertight requires gaskets perfectly fitted
to keep out water and, often, a special type of crown that
screws down into the case so water can’t seep in. The higher
the level of water resistance (100m, 200m or whatever) the
lower the manufacturing tolerance and the more expensive the
case.
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| Most Swiss companies have short production runs because
they make watches for a narrower market than the firms in
the orient. This allows them to provide more exclusive
designs to customers, but also drives up manufacturing
costs. |
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Just about all watch parts are available in a range of
qualities. A watch made with a synthetic sapphire crystal,
which is very difficult to scratch and highly durable will
cost more than one with a plastic or a glass crystal. |
| Swiss watches in general have more unusual and complex
case designs than less expensive watches. This means they
are constructed of more parts, requiring a wider variety of
dies to produce them and a more time consuming assembly
process. |
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Other features also affect a watch’s price. A smoothly
finished, supple link bracelet will cost more than a roughly
finished one. A double safety buckle on the band will add to
the cost, as well as special finishes on the case or dial. |
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Horological
Terms
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