I'm gonna hijack and pin my own comment. I could put this in the description, but I have my doubts of how much that is read! Everything I speak about in this video comes from FHS.CH, the Swiss Watch Federation. I left links to the docs in the description, you should read them in you're interested. My intention here is to have fun, and of course, educate. Many people will say "well, it's all a lie". For some, that is probably a true statement. But I will say a majority of brands keep it real and do their best to provide a Swiss made product. Are there brands who are gaming the system? Sure. But there's loads of good actors. Lastly, I will say this. . . it speaks volumes that the Swiss had to create a 37 page document about what defines a Swiss watch (keep in mind, this is just watches, not cars, not electronics, nothing. . .). The Swiss Made moniker on watches is supremely important to the Swiss economy, and this document shows this.

@DonaldoJTrumpet

3 ай бұрын

Well, of course it's not about cars or electrics, Duh. The Swiss aren't very good at that. What they are very good at is convincing people that ugly, boring watches made by people with no flair for design or inovation, are worth buying at massively inflated prices. It's a scam, same as the super car market. You have to buy many, many models ( which will depreciate enormously as soon as you have bought them) to convince them you are "worth" selling to, before they will let you on the waiting list for what you really want. Do yourself a favour.

@georgecupac1202

3 ай бұрын

I received your skeleton watch and it's awesome. Great job 👍.

@clifforddriver9434

3 ай бұрын

It's BS. You simply don't have to be Swiss in order to purchase the Swiss making watch equipment. And magically appear in Japan or China making quality watches. Or is that part of the industry manipulated the same way. These people are trying to control the resale value. And like most capitalist. Trying to keep the competition at bey.

@secfeed6987

3 ай бұрын

Hey I respect and understand this is coming from their documentation. I got nothing against you or your channel. But I understand how the world works, I have zero faith in that document and their standards. It's no different from the fashion industry. It's merely a ploy to part you from your money. It's really kind of silly and am surprised no one can see through the bullshit.

This is why I like Marc: he's not a shady business guy. 👍 There is no point making this sort of video for him, but It's very considerate that he does.

@ianjohnhorwood2605

3 ай бұрын

oh yeah , i got sent a different horrible watch than what i had ordered a few years back . Wouldn't trust him with a barge pole . His business practice made me not trust his business practice , period .

Let's face it. I didn't need a new watch, but I WANTED a new watch. So I just bought my first Islander.

@ProjectSerpo90

3 ай бұрын

Love the advertisement. I definitely don’t need and more watches. But i wanted a new watch so i bought a Squale from Marc. Now im eyeing up another one.

@bsbullshit2024

3 ай бұрын

Welcome to the club. I got two already :)

@drnick40

3 ай бұрын

😂😂😂

@MrBacchus18

3 ай бұрын

Actually nobody needs a watch this isn't 1985

@bsbullshit2024

3 ай бұрын

@@MrBacchus18 My guess is that you never served in the military or anyone that is closed to you did

I was vaguely aware that being Swiss made was not totally made in Switzerland but I had no idea of how diluted “Swiss made” could really be. Great presentation! 🥃

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

Thank you

Thanks for truth in production brother. First time I've ever personally seen someone pull back the curtain.

@mohnnadmercedes8246

3 ай бұрын

Tudor recently romeved Swiss word on bracelet guess where they come from 🙄🤔

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

thanks for watching.

I’m from Thailand and while doing some research for work I found that one of the top export categories FROM Thailand TO Switzerland are watches and watch components. I know there is some watchmaking industry here, as a proud owner of WISE and other Thailand-made (assembled?) Casios and Seikos, but I had no idea it is that big.

@SubCapt

3 ай бұрын

Yup. Movement manufacturer Ronda has a major production plant in Thailand, for example.

How about made in japan requirements next?

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

I'm not sure they are published. But I'll look.

@efreutel

3 ай бұрын

👍👍👍

@blethook

3 ай бұрын

@@islandwatch They are similar to "Made in Swiss" requirements, if not more lax.

@johnvienna3422

3 ай бұрын

Yes, please do! I have several JDM Seikos, and I'd love to know to what extent they're actually Made in Japan​@@islandwatch

@SubCapt

3 ай бұрын

@@blethook more lax indeed. Made in Germany and Made in France too are more lax.

If you’re the owner of a movement manufacturer like the Swatch group is you can manipulate the pricing of the movements to get to 60% too, so Tissot makes less of a profit and ETA makes a bit more. I’m sure you can get an external accountant like PWC to approve it if you are creative enough.

And for the 93rd time, we are all smarter. Excellent video sir.

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

You got that right!

Outside movements is a Swiss thing. That’s one reason why I like Japanese watches. They are almost always in-house movements such as Casio G Shock and Grand Seiko.

@stevens1041

3 ай бұрын

Kurono didn’t make its own movements.

@mstcrow5429

3 ай бұрын

Don't care if in or not. Wasn't even really a thing until the 1980s, I believe.

@victormarrotti2575

3 ай бұрын

Personally as long as the watch does what I want it to do then I don't care if it was made on the moon.

Excellent video as always, Marc. Hey wait, is that a bottle of Sriracha hot sauce on the shelf? Lol.

Probably why so many bracelets look like an afterthought

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

perhaps

@dandahl5964

3 ай бұрын

Which ones?

I’m really enjoying these educational/informative videos I’m seeing on YT lately. Great content here that reminds me of the stuff Mike from ‘ This watch, That watch’ makes. Hope to see more.

Nice job Mark. Very enlightening. Keep up the good work.

The 60% gig has been going on for a long time. Would be interesting to know what proportion of parts manufactur and assembly is required for the movement to qualify.

ALWAYS educational (informative) and entertaining. Thanks for sharing, I can see a lot of research went into this. Love you, this channel and Island watch (own a few gems). Cheers! M.

Love those time pieces on the wall behind you. Amazing

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

thanks!

Great video !! So Informative !!! Thanks Marc

Very interesting video concept, also very educational. Thankyou much Marc!! Keep up the great work!!

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

thanks!

Thank you for explaining ! Great information

Enlightening. Great video.

You make Jews, Americans and New Yorkers proud! God bless you man!🙏🇺🇸

Another great video. Thanks Marc.

Thanks for the great perspective

This was SUCH good information - thank you!

It’s been a little bit since I’ve watched one of your videos. Camera quality has improved and looks great in the last couple that I’ve watched. Great topic and thanks for the info.

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

thanks so much, welcome back!

Fine vid Marc. I learned a lot. Thanks

Thank you Marc for your brilliant analysis!

Hey Marc, love your videos mate, very educational, keep it up lad, quick question, should i get my NH35a serviced or just buy a new one?.

Well done video-- thanks

This was kind of eye opening, thanks for the information

What a good info...! Thanks for sharing.

Great presentation!

It’s like three crown monte….🤔. Always enjoys Professor Marc’s lessons.

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

LOL

Well, I watched the whole video!! I’ve now reached a level of Watch Nerditidy that I previously had judged inconceivable. Marc, you are so relatable and kind and informative that I actually stayed for the whole 15 minutes!! With my cute adult adhd, that’s saying something. Anyhoo, my first Islander watch will arrive next week!!!! Yahoo!!! Thanks, Marc!

Very informative, thanks

Thanks for sharing as always I appreciate the dedication that you put into Islander watches and your company overall Be well Godspeed and of course Wheels Up my friend 👍

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

I appreciate that!

Thanks for the info. This was great and informative. You're the man!

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Good timing on the video. This year I'd like to really save up and splurge on a Swiss made piece. Those Islander Republic GMT's look pretty appealing, any chance of a restock this year?

Great video. Subscribed.

Interesting thank you for the info

Awesome stuff, Marc. Thanks! New subscriber here, will 'drop by' your store and see whatchya got!!!

Thank you for sharing this information Marc. 👍

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

Interesting video, nice calculation and good explanation. 🙂 It's more strange for me that there are guys pretending to be watch enthusiast for many years and buying expensive watches without knowing actually what "Swiss Made" means... Anyway. However that's one reason I prefer brands with good traditions in the watchmaking, quality and even history with Swiss origin than a watch with "Swiss Made" written on the dial. Ronda also are producing quartz movements by the way 🙂

Thank you for this video, Marc. Truth to be told 😉 This is also a reason for me not to overrate this Swiss Made stuff. Whenever I see a new brand that claims to be swiss my alarm bells are ringing.

Thank you for the knowledge sharing 👍🙏

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for your time and watching.

i love this content. good for you mark

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

thank you

Saw some watches by NWC / navalwatches with “Swiss Mov’t” on the dial: immediately thought of what you said 07:00

Just picked up my new islander watchb I live in England so...its worth it the watches are great, Next time I'm coming to get it.

Good stuff Marc, but there are other swiss calibre makers like La Joux-Perret, Soprod, Kenissi and STP just to name a few.

Great Information 👍. I'm not sure if I dreamed it but did longines out sell rolex last year?

Fascinating.... Nicely done Mark. Perhaps I can go on holiday to Switzerland ( which is beautiful btw). While there I might build a Swiss Made watch, which will help pay for the holiday

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

LOL, good idea.

thanks Mark great episode, not sure whether I should buy another ‘ Swiss ‘ watch or make my own, in layman’s terms it sounds quite achievable with the right drive/passion

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

With drive, anything is possible.

Do assembly costs also count as part of the 60% costs? The high cost of Swiss labor would far outweigh the costs of a third party off-the-shelf movement and make it even easier to reach the required quita.

Love my Islander watches, Mark is the best!

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you

Thank you, Marc, for covering such an important topic, I was always intrigued by the fact that how come these days so many microbrands are coming with Swiss made written on them, it always made me think that they lack in quality as compared to a Seiko or Casio at times but still are swiss made. Now I can very much understand where the problem lies. Obviously as you said no offence to great brands like Rolex or Omega. It was a great watch and learn video.

Good video

Modern industries and legislation are so complex, thank you for breaking it down Mark.

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

thank you for checking it out.

Lots of Christophe Duchamp "Swiss Movement" watches being pedalled here in South Africa at ridiculous RRP, like Tudor BB money about and you see them on Marketplace for like a 10th of the RRP. I always thought it stank to high heaven. Thanks for this explanation, it makes a lot of sense now

Look and Learn Business edition - great

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

thank you

Marc, great video. I like the way you think about things and are able to articulate your information on a chosen subject. You would probably make a good flight instructor one day! Anyway, over the years I've done the breakdowns of several aspects of automobile manufacturing, and your "Swiss Watch" feature reminds me of telling people about their BMW SUVs made in the good ol' USA and popping their baloon of thinking a skilled dude named Klaus in Bavaria made their vehicle, and it was likely a woman named Theona in Alabama or some such! Nothing wrong with that, but it has put some snooty people in their places. Cheers!

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

LOL. My BMW truck is made in the Carolinas, and it has the Alpina badge. Yeah, I know the truth, but still love it!

@hugejohnson5011

3 ай бұрын

@@islandwatch Nothing wrong with that. Even eons ago, at Mercedes-Benz, a car was just as likely assembled by a Turkish immigrant than a German born employee. It's just the way the world has always worked, since the beginning of recorded history. I mean, who built the Egyptian pyramids?

@hugejohnson5011

3 ай бұрын

@@islandwatch As an aside, I used to service my bosses kid's X5 with the 4.4 V8, and that drove nicely. I bet yours being a hotrod goes like a rocketship! Cheers!

Hmmmmm. Marathon may be example of stretching Swiss Made a bit but wow excellent work.

I think most watch nerds know this but it's worth reiterating. No matter where a watch is made the buyer mustn't take anything for granted. I like watches from many countries but German manufacturers have my greatest respect. Made in Germany is very loose but their QC standards are high, even their entry level brands. Glashutte manufacturers are in a class on their own.

Marc spills the tea.

transparency is a factor to consider. some watch companies have opened their doors for you to see their process. others seem more mysterious. take Ball watches - and i own a couple - but i know little or nothing about the company and are not owned by a swiss concern but there it is, Swiss Made. oh and great video. wow great stuff.

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

Transparency is the key!

In addition to ETA, Sellita and Ronda, there are Soprod, STP, La Joux-Perret, Kenissi and a few other small manufacturers of movements in Switzerland.

So basically I can buy one of the higher end Chinese/AliExpress watches that offers a Sellita or ETA movement and other than the fact that it wasn't assembled in Switzerland would be just as Swiss as some Swiss made watches.

@nickfowler515

3 ай бұрын

More or less, depending on how quality control compares. Pay a little more for a microbrand (or an Islander, seeing as how we're here) that offers some assurances in that regard and you're good to go, in my opinion.

@Bob_Smith19

3 ай бұрын

Truth

@K_j_M

3 ай бұрын

Pretty much. The only different is the nationality of the fingerprints in the case

@hugejohnson5011

3 ай бұрын

Big yes to that.

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

Yes, but you gotta pay attention to QC as the Swiss are much more stringent.

I want that hoodie.

Makes sense why so many brands from so many countries all have the same basic look with their cases, bezels etc (prob Asian made), yeah qa/ac is likely better in certain countries which may get you a better watch but as far as looks they all can kind of look similar.

3:59 Ronda does make automatics, Adina (Australian watch company who do what you are doing with your Ameriquartz watches, but in Australia and in house) uses a lot of Ronda movements now that ETA doesn't sell to outside companies any more, Ronda are pretty good.

Case in point - consider how many Invicta watches have said “SWISS MADE” on the dial. Great stuff as always Marc!

@MK-fc2hn

3 ай бұрын

They meant swiss 🧀

Love how the selfie at 9:10 shows a brick wall in Marc's sunglasses reflection :D

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

I know where I was; it was in Bern. That's all I remember, LOL

Hi Mark, new subscriber!

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

Welcome aboard!

Important to note too that the assembly and QC of the watch are usually included in the manufacturing costs, which sometimes can be extremely expensive in themselves.

@Bob_Smith19

3 ай бұрын

And those numbers can go through creative accounting to make sure they reach the 60% threshold.

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

Yes, you can get creative, and in my example, I'm doing it myself. Just a fun exercise.

Invicta ( not that I’m a fan ) has a line called Reserve that had Swiss made on the dial. I noticed some time ago they no longer say that on the dial. Maybe they got busted? Thanks for the video. Have a great weekend! 🙏🏼

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

or they changed their manufacture

I just loved this! Does this help to explain my $499 Herodia Mediterraneo? Which I still love? With the SW200 movement? Which leads me to this ... from the blurb on your new $$$$ Laco watches ... "Movement: Laco 200, based on the Sellita 200 ( Top ), with date display at 4 o'clock or Laco 330, based on the Sellita SW 330 ( Top ), with date display at 6 o'clock and GMT function" My clomage has a similar (but unregulated) movement??

Thanks for this. You again prove that a businessperson can be reasonably transparent and still do well. I have a feeling that if the US made more watches, their lobbyists would try to get the US standards lowered. Our pols are probably getting money from Switzerland.

I thought I saw on a KZread channel, maybe Jenni Elle, that the Swiss were looking at changing it from 60% to 80% but some big watch lobby got the legislation stopped. This was maybe 2 years ago

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

They wanted to go to 70%, never happened.

I've been told some very interesting information about where the actual individual watch parts all come from. A good quality bracelet can sometimes actually cost more to make than the whole watch head.

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

Absolutely true.

@masterwatch

3 ай бұрын

@@islandwatch There are some very interesting manufacturing origin(s) of some top and middle brands. I do understand the pressures on business to search and stock suppliers as the costs do vary and if you buy wrong (ie too expensive) you can be left with no profit margin and then the business struggles, whereas if the price is set right and matches the market conditions you can have a winner. I think Long Island offers a great value (and great build quality) watch and very important in this market space. Long Island deserves all the success it has achieved.

Chiun, Master of Shinanju: "Watches are a confidence trick invented by the Swiss." Remo Williams, 1985 (ask TGV, or Hugo, if you do not know the movie)

New high def camera set up?

New camera? Looks good.

Tbh most countries have flexible rules like this, I don’t mind it. I don’t think it’s a problem. As long as you know that any

Hi Mark! New subscriber...I have been watching your informative videos for sometime. My passion is Rolex and Seiko mostly and now Long Island watches. I enjoyed this video however I have question...is there a possibility that if this excercise was put into motion and after some complaints from swiss watch makers do you think that the process would be subject to tariffs?

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

There's already tariffs in the USA on Swiss imports (any imports, actually)

Is that a big bottle of Sriracha on the shelf?

Now the question is how much if the movement can be made outside of Switzerland. How many parts in the Sellita SW200 are made in Switzerland?

It's only logic. The labour costs are extremely high in Switzerland so they have to outsource certain parts. No problem since they have a swiss standard quality control. Otherwise they price themselves out of the general market.

Could you consider doing the quartz version of Swiss made?

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

Maybe!

Somewhat unrelated, but i think I speak for a ton of US based watch enthusiasts by saying if LIW found a way to produce a "Made in USA" wristwatch (Ameritech, maybe?) for a reasonably affordable price I wouldn't be able to provide my debit card numbers fast enough... I realize it's likely not possible at this point in time, but I hope someone is efforting this for the future... 🤞

@piotrszmidel

3 ай бұрын

They arent made in USA,the movement itself is called Americhron,but its Tata Titan India in disguise

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

There are people trying to get there, it's just super expensive. Most of the infrastructure doesn't exist.

Liked and subbed

i think there ia two more swiss made movement, roamer is using stp-1, and forget about second one but also eta clone

If Im not mistaken, the sub portion that describes a "swiss movement" stipulates that only 50 percent of that needs to be swiss as well. So when you get into it, its increasingly less swiss. Im not even sure if they stipulate what that percentage means (volume, quantity, time, cost, etc).

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

The sub-portion is actually 60% also (from what I remember reading)

Hello Marc,, I am still alive 😂 Interesting video with what is the requirments for Swiss Made. One more Interesting thing is why do you have a great big bottle of Sriratcha sauce in your studio?

@thebiblioholic

3 ай бұрын

That's the famous Sriratcha bottle clock. The label makes one revolution every 12 hours. 🙂

Could you make the statement that no matter what it says on the dial if it has a seiko movement its essentially a seiko. Just like volkswagen group cars using the same running gear and parts bin .but put a different body on it and it's a audi, skoda, or vw.

I have your Purple Pheobas/Islander collaboration.... its as accurate if not more accurate than the Swiss movements I have...

I guess my only "complaint" about the discussion is that there is probably, or should be, more that goes into calculating the value of an item than JUST the cost to the end user. For instance, it wouldn't seem logical to allow someone to over-pay for a movement just to defray the cost of "non-Swiss" parts? ("Hey, I need to pay $200 for the movement in order to get to 60%. Just take the money....the label is worth it to me". More likely, someone could just cook the books to get that movement cost up....). But for my "watch collecting", I'm not as interested in "Swiss made" as I am "Swiss Movement". The Sellita movements do blow the NH35 family out of the water....

Thank you so much for this video! Well that explains why some “Swiss made” watches look oddly similar to some Chinese made ones. If I were San Martin I would rent a small apartment in the Swiss alps now 😂

Looking forward to a Swiss made THX Certified Islander - 😎

Are those tally sheets available somewhere to look at?

Marc please put your two toned brookville on sale ! I’ll buy it right now

@islandwatch

3 ай бұрын

LOL