Switzerland today is so closely associated with watches that it is hard to believe this was not always so. Yet, this indeed is the truth.
Swiss watches Switzerland had a slow beginning in the early 17th century. At that time, the industry of Swiss watches Switzerland was already flourishing, continuing to prosper in subsequent years. Some would say that this is in part due to Jean Calvin, whose idea of Reformation included banning ostentatious shows of wealth. As a result, skilled jewelers were forced to turn their talents to watch-making instead of crafting jewelries.
The center for design and marketing of Swiss watches Switzerland was Geneva. This is true both before and after the city joined the Swiss Confederation in 1815. However, the manufacture of Swiss watches Switzerland also spread to other areas, most notable of which is Canton Neuchatel.
To learn more about watch-making as well as exercise their skills, many Swiss craftsmen traveled abroad. The best known among them is undoubtedly Abraham-Louis Breguet who is regarded by many as the greatest watchmaker of all time. His ideas constitute important additions to designing Swiss watches Switzerland, and just watches, in general.
One example of a development by Breguet is the tourbillon, which is a device that enables the gear train to function even with gravity working against it. Another is the self winding watch, which is often attributed to fellow Swiss, Abraham-Louis Perrelet. Breguet helped develop the idea for it.
But more than design, what has kept the industry of Swiss watches Switzerland afloat is the Swiss penchant for good commerce, an ability that is greatly enhanced by their banking system. From the beginning, the making of Swiss watches Switzerland was export-oriented.
The Swiss developed the idea of cutting down production costs. What they did was to relegate the making of the component parts to homeworkers or small workshops in villages. After they were done, the parts are then sent to the craftsmen of Geneva, who will then add their finishing touches to the Swiss watches Switzerland.
An important thing to note about watches before the advent of wristwatches in the 20th century is that they were more decorative pieces than practical timekeepers. Watches during the early times were highly decorative and they could be worn on chains, looped through a belt, in the pocket, etc.
The Swiss watches Switzerland used a technique of applying a layer of transparent enamel over a painting in order to enhance their look. This made them more attractive to buyers who consider watches as much articles of jewelry as a practical device used to keep note of the time.
In the 20th century, Switzerland was again at the forefront of innovation when it invented the first quartz watch. However, Swiss watchmakers failed to capitalize on this, resulting in an almost fatal error of judgment as the market for traditional watches dropped to the bottom.
However, Swiss watches Switzerland made a dramatic comeback with its newest product, the Swatch watch, which was marketed as fashion watches.
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