A Brief History of Watchmaking in Geneva

From prehistoric times to today’s technology craze, people always have had a compulsion with observing the passage of time. The watch industry has introduced abundant devices for measuring the time. Water clocks and sundials were once the most popular methods to track time. But today, nothing runs pretty like Swiss mechanical watches that came into existence in the 14th century. 

While today Switzerland is known as the Mecca of watch-making, one of its most significant watch-making cities is Geneva. Swiss-made Luxury watches are universally recognised due to their compelling history, high-end technological mechanisms and precision. Before you head out to sell your luxury watch, ‘sell watches’, or ‘sell my watch’, let’s find out where did the Swiss passion for watch-making originated and how did the small country come to dominate the global market.

The Art of Creating Watches Began in Geneva

Geneva has initially been a powerful jewellery-making industry.

> In the early 15th century, goldsmiths were crafting enamelled jewellery in Geneva.
However, the jewellery production abruptly stopped in Geneva by mid-1500.

> John Calvin was the religious reformer who perceived jewellery as a symbol of worship. Thus, he banned the production and wearing of jewellery in Geneva. 

> While artisans had to opt for new ways to utilise their skills, many people took up watch-making. Likewise, the art of creating watches started in Geneva. 

Rapid Expansion of the Watch Industry

The art of watchmaking began in Geneva not only because of the religious flux. 

> Many French Protestants escaped from the ill-treatment in France and resided in Geneva, thereby bringing their skills of watchmaking.

> However, the Foundation of the Genevan Corporations of Watchmakers was formed in 1601. It offered traineeship to become an expert watchmaker.

> By 1760, Geneva had nearly 600 skilled watchmakers, and the city was exporting over 60,000 timepieces every year within only three decades. 

However, late 1700 was a period of vagueness for the rapidly growing Swiss watch industry. 

> While the French Revolution distorted the production, other cities were trying to compete with Geneva because they worked for reorganising their production facilities.

> Moreover, Europe was also in the middle of the Industrial Revolution that resulted in the first industrialisation of watchmaking. This made a division within the industry.

> Some people approved the introduction of new technologies in transforming production, whereas others were strictly in favour of handcrafted traditions of watchmaking. 

Geneva Became a Trademark of Quality & Precision

Today, luxury watches are universally admired and craved for due to their superior quality and top-notch precision. Virtually, all the timepieces tend to retain their value with time and thus, luxury watch owners often decide to ‘sell watches’ or ‘sell my watch’ to raise instant cash. However, it was not entirely smooth sailing for the Swiss. The watchmaking industry in Switzerland had to overcome many challenges before becoming the ultimate trademark of quality and precision.

> While the challenge of mechanisation persisted in the 1800s, more competitors even outside of Europe (in America) started to threaten the Swiss market.

> However, Switzerland embraced the mass-production more happily than other countries in Europe such as England and France. Thus, Switzerland was able to stay competitive in this ever-changing market.

Moreover, the Swiss formed a more effective division of production. They had a unique decentralised composition that consisted of many small city centres. 

> Although the cities such as Geneva were more urban and populated, they were not concentrated as much as other cities in Europe.

> So, within each city centres, different enterprises would produce different parts of a watch.

> Later, big companies like the ones based in cities such as Geneva would gather to sell their finished watches. 

However, the Geneva seal finally earned a legal status in 1886, and it was the first tactile symbol of premium quality that people today expect from the watches manufactured in Geneva. 

The Rise of Wristwatches

Between the wars WWI and WWII, watch-making in Geneva continued to develop. 

> World War I stimulated the transition from using pocket watches to the wristwatches. Eventually, wristwatches achieved a new reputation.

> However, Industrialisation continued, and this resulted in some alterations in Geneva Watch-Making School, motivating them to update their teaching approach.

> Big factories started to drive small factories out of business. Moreover, trade began to flourish in Geneva, transforming the city from a production centre to a sales centre. 

Geneva Today

The watch-making industry peaked in Geneva after the Second World War. 

> Although the industry experienced the major Quartz crisis between 1945 and 1975, firms that were able to cope with the crisis grew stronger. And it gave rise to new marketing strategies.

> Today, we could see the same focus and dedication from the luxury watchmakers in Geneva and also, throughout the market.

> While the luxury watch industry stands firmly even in the face of modern challenges such as the rising of smartwatches, the industry persistently emphasises in the value of the watchmaking art form.

> Many reputable luxury watch manufacturers like Rolex have their headquarters located in Geneva. 

If you are looking to ‘sell my watch’, or ‘sell watches’, make sure that you choose a reliable dealer who understands the historical and monetary significance of a luxury watch. With a trustworthy watch buyer, you can sell your luxury watch with full confidence, obtaining the most competitive price in the second hand market.