Does the country a watch is made in make a difference to you?

Nothing good has ever been manufactured in india

To a certain extend, yes. For example, my 2 favorite countries when it comes to watch heritage are Switzerland and Japan.

Having that little "Swiss made" logo on the bottom of a watchface is always a nice touch.

On the other hand, nothing will ever beat a Seiko movement when it comes to reliability, affordability and accuracy. All of my chinese homage watches are fitted with NH35 movements, and they all run in the +/- 4 secs. a day range.

Speaking of China, when I started collecting watches about 3 years ago, I was pleasently surprised when I found out that chinese watches are exceptionally well crafted and finished to a high standard, for a fraction of the price of a similarly finished european piece!

I actually forget that I own a Swiss watch*, but I do get a special joy from vintage American watches. Mainly this is mind-forged manacles nonsense, although stereotypes and general perceptions are typically based in fact, however dated.

*Probably because the 1950's Universal Geneve bumper automatic doesn't have any external nation of origin markings at all. I had to check to realize this.

I actually feel motivated to specially avoid "Swiss Made" because I know it means they're charging a premium! Good for them, but based on how much restaurants cost in that country, I don't think they need any more help from me.

Anything made or designed in North America (in any era) is of special interest to me - that's a premium that I think is worth it.

I'm excited by Chinese microbrands because they have no prestige premium at all. Sure, it's a Wild West experience, but if you like your just-about-disposable automatic then you can afford to replace it a dozen times for the same money as buying and servicing a nice watch once.

Yes, Comminist countries like the CCP often have employees work 6 days a week and 9 hours a day. I just cannot buy from them even if the quality is good. And, some companies may not work their people so hard, but unemplyment is very high and they have people willing to work this kind of shift. The more I learn about what is going on there, and it is a huge place, the more I feel for their people. I do not want their govt to profit and I understand from my friends born their that immigrated, a revolution is unlikely now. Suicides are way up as are people trying to leave. Cameras monitor every city and everyone is tracked, it is a scarry distopia regime.

Country is irrelevant, maker is important.

Take a look at Perception, from China, and you can see it's high quality.

Meanwhile there's a lot of crap that comes out of Switzerland just so it can have the country on the dial, we just choose to ignore that because cosc, trinity and Rolex come from there.

Japan and I'll take German over Swiss . Not really concerned of build country, just overall value for dollar.

You can be ripped off in Europe, Asia or North America. Or you can get absolute big bang for the buck from Europe, Asia or North America

Statistics lie, the reason is because you are fooled into thinking the work week is an average of those whom work, not everybody. I have been there, many cities, and know people there and here, I do need tilted statistics. Please ask some people in a Chinese factory in Kowloon how many hours they work, 6 days 9 hours is normal.

https://youtu.be/wRL9oI9SpxU

Your accuracy is an anomaly over 4 watches.

Back to the original question. I don’t collect watches because I’m looking for a bargain. If that’s what I wanted, I would buy a $100 G-Shock and be done.

I wear a watch because I like the way it makes me feel. What makes me feel good about a watch is the fit and finish, the use case, and the design. Any watch that meets my expectations on quality fit and finish, has a purpose, and has an original design gives me joy. This watch can be manufactured in any country.

I cannot garner enjoyment from a watch that is poorly finished, doesn’t fit well, doesn’t have a use case or purpose, or is a homage of another great design.

My first three mechanical watches were American, Chinese, and Swiss. The Chinese is the best built, followed by the American. The Swiss watch feels cheaper. And it cost more than the other two.

Yes it does, but not because of any misconception about the correlation of a watch quality to its supposed country of origin.

I don't wear my Russian Vostoks very often and don't plan on buying any more.

I think you'll admit this is a statistically insignificant sample.

Yes. I would love to buy a watch made in the US with a US made movement. I'd even take a US made watch with a Swiss or Seiko movement. I buy Swiss, German and Japanese watches. There is a storied history in these countries for watch making.

Thank you for pointing that out! Glad I didn't have to point it out.

It depends but yes. I have one Chinese watch that I bought purposely as a” beater watch”. It was cheap, moderately well assembled and I won’t care if something happens to it. Outside of that one I don’t buy watches “made in China” or, for the time being, Russia. (Even though I do have one microbrand with a Chinese movement, the watch was "made in Ireland")

Swiss & Seiko, & one broken Brit (CWard). I'd like more British, but none float my boat or are too pricey.

Country of origin sometimes matter and sometimes dont.

1. If I know a watch brand and its quality I dont care where it comes from. So if Omega, Rolex, and Breitling started getting stuff made outside Switzerland it wouldnt matter - the quality comes from the company and 'swiss made' doesn't mean much.

2. OTOH talking about a new/micro brand I have no idea of what their quality will be so the 'swiss made' does provide some comfort, some indication of what I'd expect.

3. Most recently I have also started paying more and more attention to things like sustainability,, treatment of workers etc and here the euro countries tend to be better and it can be difficult to justify chinese manufacturers.

From my experience, the country of origin is unrelated to the quality or value. Some affordable Chinese brands produce watches just as well constructed as a Seiko diver, a PRX or a Khaki Field. Chinese manufacturers also produce high-beat or micro-rotor movements for microbrands that are nothing to scoff at.

It would be a mistake to minimize or dismiss a watch or brand solely based on its country of origin. Or just the usual luxury market snobbery not giving a chance to emerging brands and countries.

When it comes to countries like China, you have to force yourself not to make blanket judgments, based on stereotypes.

Some Chinese companies (as well as many foreign companies that outsource to China) take full advantage of, even to the point of exploitation, a cheap, poorly-trained labor force which is readily available there, in order to cut manufacturing costs, so that they can "under-bid" the competition. This is the stereotype. But you have to remember, this is still happening, and often. Hence, the source of the stereotype. Sad but true.

But there are Chinese companies that are paying their workers a fair wage, allowing them to work reasonable hours, training them adequately, etc. These companies produce a level of quality product that is quite competitive with European products. Even so, the production costs are often slightly lower in China, therefore, even these companies can still offer their product for less cost than its European cousins.

ALSO: This type of thing is happening in China because of economic and demographic considerations. The Chinese people are just as creative, imaginative, and innovative as any other country in the world. But because of China's immense population, and poor governmental regulation, the competition for every job is intense, and the people who don't get their preferred job are forced to settle for much less, often to the point of settling for an "exploitable job." And the government is both unwilling, and unable to remediate this problem. The exploitable labor pool has been an advantage to the Chinese economy, albeit at the expense of the working class. So there is no incentive for change. Especially since the end consumer, who could be from any other country in the world, is perfectly willing to buy the lower-quality, discounted product, which was produced by exploitation, on the basis of cost alone.

Thus, until people stop buying on price point alone, this type of exploitation will never stop. That's why I try to buy local when I can, and when I can't, I try to buy from companies that have good standards on pay rate, working environment, good worker benefits, etc.

I'm sure that some of my purchases (probably most of my Wal-Mart purchases) are probably products which are the result of exploited labor, because it's impossible to analyze every item and company. But I do my best, whenever possible.

The data does support most of the information in spite of the government trying to suppress it. Regardless, they make some very nice watches.

Country does not really matter for me (now have German, Swiss and British) although admittedly I’ll buy with a little more trust when a watch is of German or Swiss origin. Would like to own a watch made in the Netherlands one day however; but have not found one yet that fits both taste and budget.

If I’m suspicious of the likelihood of forced/exploitative labour in its creation then I will avoid. It’s pretty cool when an interesting watch comes from somewhere you wouldn’t typically expect though

Or…or…the feeling you get when you put on a watch with Swiss/German, etc. Made on the dial is due to some personal/family connection to or affinity for the country or things German, Swiss, Japanese, Chinese, etc., be they watches, cars, food, beer/wine/spirits, cameras, where your kids were born, etc. and don’t care others think.

Or, you’re just a collector and like to collect watches from different countries.

Food for thought.

It doesn't matter to me what country it's made

As long as I like it, can afford it, can obtain it & it works properly

Thank you for your honest reply

Great but controversial question i only buy watches with swiss or american movements . Let me explain When i was growing up i bought a g shock and i disliked the fit and the strap broke after short use. I know thew G shock has become a VERY popular watch im just not a fan .Also Seiko watches were the least expensive watch available at the time and were great for the price . Many poor people acquired a seiko watch . I swore when i got older i wouldnt buy a cheap watch whether it was a seiko or a timex . Now we get to why no asian movements. Asian movements are great as are thousands of items made in asia . however why are the items CHEAPer ..than items made in the west . AS politically unpopular as it sounds its because the labor is cheap. Workers are paid less thus the product is cheaper . A watch to me is a luxury item and why would i i want that item to reflect cheap. Yes i know that sounds horrible and vain and whatever negatives you want to add but thats my feeling .If im going to spend my hard earned money on something superflous than i will get what i want and it isnt going to reflect inexpensive.. Yes i know swiss and american american movements have asian parts due to the nature of the world economy = globalization. But i want my watch to be final assembled by well paid with great benefits FREE employees in switZerland or europe .Plus ive spoken with watch repairman and they prefer swiss movements over asian . In fact many wont even work on asian movements . They tell me just replace. Most asian movements are jsut replaced not worked on . Ive posted similar replies on on watch forums and i get attacked thats fine it goes with the territory. Funny i LOVE japanese cars and own a subaru . Its just a car isnt a luxury to me . It is essential to have one in new jersey and its a damn good car . 😉

except for the atomic bomb.

I'm with ya! ITX!