Recently, I’ve been discussing the design with one customer. He is upset about which movement to choose from. while many customers have the same trouble choosing a movement. they need to consider every aspect of the watches design, so it makes people hard to choose from.
So Japan VS Swiss Movement, What’s Their Advantage?
- Japanese Movements are ideal for affordability, durability, and innovative technology.
- Swiss Movements excels in craftsmanship, luxury, and heritage, with strong resale value.
- Their Differences: Japan’s movements are assembled in a production line, while Swiss movements are hand-made; thus, the cost differences are huge.
Japanese and Swiss watch movements are highly respected worldwide, but each has distinct advantages catering to different preferences and needs.
1. Japanese Movements
- Key Manufacturers: Seiko, Citizen (Miyota), and Casio are some of the top Japanese movement producers. those manufacturers which I mentioned in this post, you can check more details here.
- Advantages:
- Reliability and Durability: Japanese movements, especially quartz, are known for their robustness and long-lasting performance. They often require minimal maintenance and can handle daily wear well.
- Affordability: Japanese movements, particularly quartz, are generally more cost-effective than Swiss movements. This makes them popular in both mid-range and budget-friendly watches.
- Innovative Technology: Japanese brands have pioneered technologies like Seiko’s Spring Drive (a hybrid movement combining quartz accuracy with mechanical movement) and solar-powered watches. They’re known for embracing high-tech, cutting-edge innovations.
- Precision: Japanese quartz movements are highly accurate, and even their automatic movements offer good precision at a lower price point.
- Best For: Those seeking value, reliability, and modern technology, especially if affordability is a key factor.
2. Swiss Movements
- Key Manufacturers: ETA, Sellita, Ronda, and in-house movements from brands like Rolex, Omega, and Patek Philippe.
sw 200 sw300 - Advantages:
- Heritage and Prestige: Swiss movements have a long-standing horology tradition dating back centuries. This heritage has earned Swiss watches a reputation for luxury and fine craftsmanship.
- High Craftsmanship: Swiss movements, particularly mechanical ones, are known for intricate design and attention to detail. They often feature beautiful finishing touches like perlage, Geneva stripes, and anglage (hand-polished edges).
- Longevity and Resale Value: Swiss mechanical movements are known for their longevity and can often last generations with proper maintenance. High-end Swiss watches tend to retain or even appreciate in value over time.
- Accuracy in Mechanical Movements: Swiss movements, especially those certified by COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres), offer high accuracy in mechanical watches, although they may not reach the precision of quartz.
- Best For: Collectors, luxury buyers, and those who appreciate artisanal craftsmanship and the prestige associated with Swiss-made timepieces.
Their Prices Differences and Considerations
For example, same feature appearance, they are all 3 hands+ date.
Sellita SW200 VS SW 300 movement, VS Miyota 9015 movement, prices comparison.
- SW300 movement price USD $215/each,
- SW300 movement price USD $109/each,
- While Miyota 9015 USD $50/ each
If you choose SW 300 or SW 200 movement, It means you need to sell your watches for over USD $1000 each.
If you choose 9015 movements, you can sell only USD $250-$500 each,
Who’s the market is more broader?
What’s the Difference Between a Swiss and a Japanese Movement?
Collection Purpose:
Swiss Movement: Swiss movements are highly regarded by watchmakers and collectors for their craftsmanship. The high quality of Swiss watch movements, especially ETA mechanical parts, sets them apart. Swiss movements often feature intricate decorations, from the metal cuts to the choice of jewels, where every aesthetic detail is carefully considered. Manual assembly is still common in Swiss movements, adding to their price and exclusivity.
Price:
While Japanese movements are typically more affordable, Swiss watchmaking has centuries of tradition, dating back to the 16th century. In contrast, Japanese movements gained prominence in the 20th century. Despite their shorter history in horology, Japan has mastered the art of creating affordable luxury watches. However, Swiss watches are still considered the gold standard for quality. The attention to detail in Swiss movements, from the metal cuts to the mechanical decorations, influences their higher price. Manual assembly, versus Japan’s reliance on automated processes, also adds to the cost of Swiss watches.
Manufacturing:
Japanese Movements: Japanese movements are primarily assembled by robotic production lines, reducing human error. While they may not focus on intricate details, the slightly “raw” look of the mechanical parts appeals to many. This efficiency-driven approach makes Japanese movements more affordable. Despite the focus on precision and functionality, Japanese movements still maintain good quality, though aesthetics are not the primary focus.
Upgrade:
Due to the varying designs, manufacturing, and assembly processes of both Swiss and Japanese movements, it’s difficult to directly compare them. For example, the renowned Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 movement comes in different grades, where higher-priced versions feature better parts and more intricate decorations. In contrast, Japanese movements typically don’t offer such variation, but their affordability makes it easier to upgrade the entire mechanism.
Final summary:
Overall, Japanese movements are more focus on Functionality, while Swiss movements are more focused on craftsmanship.
If you are focusing on that side, choose your marketing strategy. If you want to focus on high-priced, luxury watches, then choose Swiss movements. If you want to sell more watches, promote your brand, and want your products to be wearable and usable by the public, then use Japanese branded watches, and choose Japanese movements in quartz watches, and choose high-end Japanese movements or Swiss movements in mechanical watches.
