Many purists avoid buying a watch that has had any kind of modification. They believe that such modifications could void warranties and negatively impact resale value.
However, some brands are embracing these personalization options. For example, Roger Smith allows customers to change some elements of their Tempus Terrae model.
Doxa
A Swiss watch is a luxury item that has become synonymous with quality. The resale value of a Swiss watch is high because it combines the best in technology with high-quality materials and labor. In addition, the demand for Swiss watches is increasing as more and more consumers are becoming aware of their reputation. However, there is a misconception that Swiss watches are expensive because they are made in Switzerland. In fact, the price of a Swiss watch is determined by factors other than the cost of labour and materials. These factors include brand recognition, heritage, exclusivity, and demand.
Whether it be the infamous Rolex Submariner, Omega Seamaster, or Patek Philippe, Switzerland has always been known as the home of fine timepieces. Their prestigious name is a result of years of excellence and innovation. The label ‘Swiss Made’ is a legal standard and a mark of quality that is protected by law.
Doxa is a popular watchmaker that produces sporty, robust, and colorful timepieces. Founded in 1889 in Le Locle, Switzerland, the company spent its early years producing functional dress watches and pocket watches. Eventually, Doxa would come to be known for its patented unidirectional rotating bezel that allows the wearer to easily read the time while diving.
The idea of doxa is central to most disciplines that put communication and social interaction at the center of their research. Although it is not always referred to in the same terms, doxa is an essential concept for understanding the way beliefs and knowledge function within a society. The notion of doxa is important for analyzing the ways that power and hierarchy impact the formation of a shared perception of truth.
The term “doxa” is derived from the Greek word for opinion or belief. It is a common view that is considered true by a majority of people endowed with the ability to reason. The term “doxa” can also be used to refer to a commonplace, a cliché, or an idee recue. It can be found in most languages, and it functions as a hegemonic force in a culture. The hegemony of doxa is created through the struggle between clashing views.
H. Moser & Cie
Unlike physical traits like red hair or cleft chins that skip a generation, the love of horology seems to have lain dormant for more than a century in the family behind Moser & Cie. Founded in 1828 by Heinrich Moser, the independent Swiss watchmaker established his first factory in St Petersburg before moving it to Schaffhausen (then called Neuhausen) to better serve the Russian market. Moser was a visionary and a pioneer in his time. He amassed a collection of Asian art, weapons and armour that he later donated to various European museums. He also made significant investments in the town of Schaffhausen, turning it into a state-of-the-art industrial region.
However, Heinrich Moser had no male heirs and died in 1874 without anyone to take the reins. His widow sold his company, leaving the Le Locle business to Paul Girard and the Russian business to Octave Meylan (great-grandfather of current CEO Edouard Meylan). The latter business was nationalised in 1917 by the Bolshevik revolution and eventually closed altogether.
Today, Moser & Cie is a rare breed. They are one of very few independent and family-owned Swiss manufactures left in the world. In addition, they make their own escapements and hairsprings in-house – something other brands rely on outside suppliers for. This is a big deal because these components are the heart of any watch movement and a true test of a watchmaker’s skills.
It also makes it much easier to monitor quality as they can be tested in-house with a wide range of tools and machines. This ensures that the brand’s watches are of the highest possible quality. It is this artisanal and independent approach that sets the brand apart from others in the industry.
For example, the brand uses a technique known as ‘fume dial’ to add texture and depth to its watches. It is a time-consuming process that requires multiple layers of lacquer, gold and silver. The resulting effect is breathtaking and the perfect way to show off the company’s artisanal expertise. The brand has a very clear point of view on luxury craftsmanship and the beauty of expertise that is often overlooked in an age of mass production.
Laurent Ferrier
Founder Laurent Ferrier has built his brand by creating timeless watches inspired by the finest wrist and pocket watches of the nineteenth century. His independent brand is the embodiment of Swiss watchmaking at its purest and most elegant, combining horological heritage with sublime finishing techniques and ‘pure uncluttered beauty’, in his own words.
The brand has only been in business for 13 years, but it has already established itself as one of the best independent watchmakers. The company has 15 employees, including watchmakers and finishers. The movements are made in-house, and they use only a few components from outside suppliers. Ferrier’s calibers are works of art that show off the brand’s meticulous craftsmanship.
As a young boy, Ferrier grew up in a watch paradise. His father repaired and restored complicated watches and clocks in a workshop that was directly across from Vacheron Constantin. This exposure to rare treasures shaped his appreciation of horology. He admired the fine details of watches and aspired to work on such complex pieces as minute repeaters and regulators.
In 2008, Laurent Ferrier created his own independent watchmaking brand. The first watch he released was the Classic Tourbillon Double Hairspring, which won the GPHG Horological Revelation Prize in 2015. Ferrier’s creations are elegant and minimalist, yet they boast an extraordinary array of finishing techniques. The company’s watches have won many awards and are highly regarded in the industry.
Ferrier’s latest creation is the Sport Auto, a limited edition of 150 watches that celebrates a long-time friendship and a shared passion for motorsport. The watch features an elegant, uncluttered dial design and a unique date display. The months and days appear in windows on the sides of the dial, while hours are displayed with narrow indices and a white gold hand. A crosshair traverses the center of the dial, a detail that adds a touch of technical flair.
Each watch is crafted by hand in the Laurent Ferrier Manufacture in Geneva. The brand’s signature case shape is the Galet, which evokes the smooth surfaces of a pebble. Other case shapes include the Ecole and the Square Micro-Rotor Blue, which won the GPHG Men’s Complication prize in 2018. In addition to their exquisite movements, these timepieces feature leather straps designed by the brand.
Zenith
When it comes to watch brands with a strong sense of heritage and identity, few are as legendary as Zenith. Founded in 1865 by Georges Favre-Jacot, the company was built around a passion for technical perfection that still drives them to this day. The Swiss brand has a long list of innovations and accomplishments that have set them apart from the rest.
As one of the first manufacturers to produce an integrated automatic chronograph movement, Zenith is no stranger to horological innovation. They were also among the first to achieve shock resistance in a wristwatch with their groundbreaking El Primero caliber. This landmark movement also helped set them apart from the competition by achieving high water resistance ratings and a streamlined appearance that was both functional and fashionable.
It is no wonder that Zenith has always attracted like-minded innovators who strived to push the limits of what was possible. From the daring pilots who pushed the boundaries of aviation to the women who advocated for feminism and equality, Zenith has been at the forefront of change since its inception.
While the company has a rich history of collaborations, there is one specific partnership that stands out as an example of the unique approach to design and manufacturing that Zenith takes with their watches. The brand has partnered with British luxury watch customizer Bamford Watch Department to create a series of custom-made watches. These unique watches offer a variety of PVD treatments, fresh dial colors, and other customizations that make them feel distinctly different from their mass-produced counterparts.
This partnership is a great way for Zenith to showcase their commitment to customization and artisanal production while still remaining within their budget. The watches are produced by the team at Bamford in an artisanal fashion that involves painting each component by hand. Once the pieces are complete, they are sent to the Zenith factory for assembly where they undergo the same quality control processes and warranty terms as a standard production watch.
With a strong focus on the future of traditional Swiss watchmaking, the Defy is designed to be a modern platform that can showcase the brand’s powerful movements. The Defy line features several models with innovative technologies, including a case that is made out of ceramic for a lighter, more durable watch. In addition, a number of models have been released with skeletonized dials that are sure to appeal to collectors.
