5 replies to this topic

[Kris33]

On the pre 1960s models the Swiss designation is sometimes missing. I used to think this is due to restauration, but apparently original dials did not always have "Swiss made" on it. Can someone explain this irregularity ? As a collector of untouched dials this is a very crucial point for me.
Many thanks !

[Evang10]

Weren't those watches actually made in Germany?

[uksfocus]

Depends on when the watch was made. Prior to the 1950's, it was hit or miss. Some companies only put Swiss Made on the dial if the export country required it. Pictures please? No. Schaffhausen is in the German speaking part of Switzerland. gatorcpa

[MJ1958]

Unless there are other reasons to be suspicious of originality, I wouldn't worry about the lack of a SWISS signature at all. Regards, Tony C.

[Ballard]

Realizing that, I still thought remembered reading that they shipped mostly-finished movements to German workshops for finishing pre-WWII in order to win some german contracts.

[Zerone]

Another thing to keep in mind is that originally, putting the country of origin on the dial wasn't by choice; both the US and the UK (and most commonwealth countries) had import laws that required this. Probably other countries as well, not sure, but it was mostly the countries that had had their own significant watchmaking industries that required it. It was only much later (post WWII) that "Swiss Made" became a prideful admission rather then a begrudged requirement. Thus, a watch that was specifically designed for a market that didn't require country of origin markings wouldn't have them.