These watches cost more than a home. This is how master craftspeople make them in Switzerland.

Master Watchmakers Craft Timeless Timepieces Worth Millions in Switzerland

In the picturesque Swiss mountains, a family legacy of precision and craftsmanship continues to tick away. Danièla Dufour, 24, is carrying on her father's tradition of creating intricate watches worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Danièla grew up watching her 77-year-old father, Philippe Dufour, meticulously craft each timepiece from start to finish. "I can see the magic operating" when he works at his bench, she says with a smile. After two years of dedication, Philippe created just a few hundred watches during his career. His daughter has now taken over this noble tradition.

In a small workshop in Vallée de Joux, where green meadows and grazing cows provide a serene backdrop, master watchmakers like Philippe Dufour spend thousands of hours perfecting each timepiece. The pieces are custom-made, with some containing as many as 153 individual components. One model, the Simplicity, can take around two years to complete and costs several million dollars.

Swiss watches are considered art pieces, often selling for millions at auctions. Philippe Dufour's watch recently sold for $7 million, bringing a sense of pride to his daughter. "I'm very happy. I don't get the money because it's not mine anymore, you know what I mean? But, I mean, it's a recognition," he says humbly.

The Swiss watchmaking industry has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. Local farmers began tinkering with watches during harsh winters as a side hustle. However, the quartz crisis in the 1970s and 80s nearly brought the industry to its knees. To combat this, Swiss companies doubled down on high-end mechanical watches, adopting limited supply and premium pricing as their business model.

Today, Swiss watches account for only 2% of global sales but command over 50% of the market's value. Rolex is the largest player, producing more than a million units annually – roughly a third of the Swiss share. Getting a watch can be a journey, with some brands leaving customers waiting on waitlists for as long as a decade.

Watchmaking has become an art form, where each employee is tasked with one of 180 specialized crafts. Decorating the backs of watches is a labor-intensive process that requires hundreds of hours and perfect precision. In a remarkable example of horological craftsmanship, one worker took over three years to assemble his first Reverso watch for Jaeger LeCoultre.

Newer independent brands like Max Büsser's MB&F have gained devoted followings, with each timepiece taking months to complete. For Büsser, the point of making watches is not about telling time but about creating intricate art pieces that showcase mastery and craftsmanship.

"It's a journey," says Marc-André Deschoux, founder of WatchesTV. "It's not just about money; it's about the experience."

The legacy of Swiss watchmaking continues to thrive, with each master craftsman leaving their mark on this timeless industry. As Danièla Dufour takes over her father's workshop, she is carrying forward a tradition that will tick away for generations to come – a testament to human ingenuity and craftsmanship.

I mean, can you even believe how much time and effort goes into making these things?! Like, two years for just one Simplicity watch? That's insane! And the numbers, 153 individual components, it's like a puzzle come to life. But what really gets me is that it's not just about selling a product, it's an art form. I mean, decorating the backs of watches by hand? It's like a whole different level of craftsmanship right there.

And the history behind Swiss watchmaking is just fascinating . From farmers tinkering with timepieces during harsh winters to the quartz crisis threatening the industry... it's like a real-life story out of a movie. And now, they're still carrying on this tradition, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in terms of design and craftsmanship.

But what I love most is that it's not just about making money; it's about creating something beautiful and lasting . Like, think about it - these watches are worth millions because they're works of art, not just timekeeping devices. And when you see someone like Danièla Dufour carrying on her father's legacy, it gives me chills . It's a reminder that there's still beauty in the world, and that with hard work and dedication, we can create something truly special

7 million bucks for a watch? That's wild. I mean, it's not just about the money, but it's crazy how people are willing to drop that kind of cash on something you can set on your wrist. Some art pieces, maybe, but still...

The way people appreciate art has changed so much nowadays . I mean, we're still obsessed with luxury watches, but it's crazy how some brands are making timepieces worth millions just because they can . For me, it's not just about the money; it's about the craftsmanship and history that goes into creating something like that. It's like, have you seen those intricate details on a Büsser watch? Mind-blowing!

I also feel for Danièla taking over her dad's workshop – it's a lot of pressure, but I'm sure she's up for the challenge . And let's be real, who wouldn't want to make something that can last for generations? It's like leaving a mark on time itself .

And did you see the comment from WatchesTV's founder about it not being just about money? I mean, he's right; some people might appreciate a timepiece more because of its artistry and craftsmanship. But at the end of the day, let's be real – luxury watches are still super pricey .

i dont get why ppl still need watches lol but i guess its all about the craftsmanship & artistry behind them . like, didnt they used 2 b able 2 just buy any old watch like 10 yrs ago? now its like u gotta wait on a waitlist 4 months or even yrs & pay an arm & a leg 4 one. anywayz, gotta respect the ppl who keep this tradishn alive

I'm so stoked about these Swiss watchmakers ! I mean, can you believe it takes around 2 years to make just one Simplicity watch and it's worth millions ?! The level of detail and precision is insane - like, did you know there are only 180 specialized crafts in watchmaking? And decorating the backs of watches? That's a labor-intensive process that requires hundreds of hours! I'm all about supporting local artisans who put their heart and soul into creating these incredible timepieces. Max Büsser's MB&F is like, my fave! The way they create intricate art pieces that showcase mastery and craftsmanship... it's just wow!

I just got the best avocado toast at that new place downtown ... like, it was literally perfect - not too crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside... anyway, I was thinking about how some people spend thousands of hours making these watches and then you buy them for millions . I mean, don't get me wrong, they're super beautiful and stuff, but have you ever tried to assemble a Reverso watch? 180 specialized crafts?! That's like my cousin trying to make a cake from scratch... yeah, it's gonna take some time!

<3 I mean, can you even imagine putting in 2 years of your life into making just one watch? It's like art, right? And the attention to detail is insane... like, literally hundreds of hours for just decorating the back of a watch . I feel like the industry has really come full circle - from being almost wiped out by quartz, but then they adapted and found new ways to make them more special, to now having this whole art form going on. The thing is, it's not just about the watches themselves, it's about the people behind them too... like Danièla Dufour, who's basically following in her dad's footsteps .

I mean, can you believe the prices they're getting for those watches? $7 million is insane! I remember when my grandma used to tell me about how her husband had a watch that cost like, what was it... $50? Yeah, back in the day. Now it's all about these custom-made masterpieces worth millions. I'm not really sure if they're still making those old-school automatic watches with gears and stuff. And with quartz crisis being a thing, I thought that would be the end of them, but nope! The Swiss watchmaking industry is like, super resilient. It's kinda cool to see all these new brands coming up, though. MB&F's art pieces are so... artistic? I mean, I get it, it's craftsmanship and all that jazz

cant believe these swiss watchmakers are so extra like theyre making art or somethin, but i guess the hours and skills involved make sense my cousin's friend works in a factory thats making watches for half the price and hes still struggling to pay bills lol what i dont get is why theres such a huge demand for these things, especially with all the fancy smartwatches out there

I'm fascinated by the old-school watchmaking scene in Switzerland . It's crazy how much time and effort goes into making these super expensive timepieces . Like, two years for one watch? That's dedication! And I love how the industry has evolved from a practical necessity during harsh winters to an art form . The attention to detail is insane, especially with decorating the backs of watches – hundreds of hours of precision work is no joke . But what's really interesting is how this legacy continues to inspire new generations, like Danièla Dufour taking over her dad's workshop . It's a testament to human ingenuity and craftsmanship that still resonates today

Switzerland still got it going on when it comes to watchmaking . The level of detail and precision is insane, especially considering the time and effort that goes into each piece. I mean, 153 components in one model? That's just crazy talk . And the fact that it can take years to complete a single watch just highlights how much craftsmanship is involved.

I'm not surprised that watches are selling for millions at auctions – it's like buying a piece of art . The story about Philippe Dufour and his daughter Danièla is really inspiring, too. It's clear that the tradition of Swiss watchmaking will continue to thrive as long as people value craftsmanship and human ingenuity.

It's also interesting to see how the industry has adapted to changing times – like, remember when quartz watches came in? . Anyway, I think it's great that brands are still focusing on high-quality mechanical watches, even if they're not selling as many units as before. At least we can appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship behind each timepiece

I gotta say, the Swiss watchmaking industry is like something outta a fairy tale . They're literally creating art pieces here with these timepieces worth millions . I mean, two years of dedication goes into making one Simplicity watch? That's dedication level 100 . And yeah, the farmers who started tinkering with watches all those years ago were like, "Hey, let's make something beautiful while we're at it" . It's wild to think about how far the industry has come and yet still maintains this level of precision and craftsmanship. It just goes to show that when you put your heart into something, amazing things can happen .

OMG Swiss watches are like art pieces now! Who knew watchmaking could be so... intricate? Like, some of these timepieces have 153 individual components ! And the prices? whoa, $7 million for one watch?! That's a lot of $$. But it's not just about the money; it's about the craftsmanship and tradition that goes into making each piece .

I'm loving this legacy thing where master watchmakers like Philippe Dufour are carrying on their family traditions . And Danièla taking over her dad's workshop is like a dream come true . It's amazing to see how Swiss watches have become an art form , with each piece telling a story of its own .

I'm also feeling the waitlists for some brands , which is like, totally understandable given the level of craftsmanship that goes into making each watch . And it's not just about the watches themselves; it's about the experience of owning one . Like, Marc-André Deschoux said it best: "It's a journey" .

Anyway, I'm totes obsessed with Swiss watches now . Who knows, maybe I'll even start collecting some !

I'm loving the story behind these Swiss watches it's like they're works of art, right? I mean, the Simplicity watch taking two years to complete is insane! And the fact that it can cost several million dollars is just wild I think what's so cool about this industry is how much craftsmanship and attention to detail goes into each piece. It's not just about telling time, but creating a masterpiece

I'm stoked about these new-gen watchmakers! The level of detail and precision they put into their work is insane . I mean, taking two years to complete just one Simplicity watch? That's dedication, fam! And the fact that they're not just mass-producing timepieces but creating art pieces worth millions? It's like, wow, you can feel the passion and craftsmanship going into every single piece . The industry's come a long way since the quartz crisis, and it's awesome to see these newer indie brands like Max Büsser's MB&F getting love for their unique designs . I think what's really cool is that watchmaking has become an art form in itself – each employee is like a master craftsman, putting in thousands of hours to get it just right . Can't wait to see what the future holds for this amazing industry!

I mean, have you ever stopped to think about how crazy it is that these watches can take up to 2 years to make? Like, what's the point of making something so expensive if it's just gonna sit in someone's drawer for ages? And don't even get me started on the waitlists - I feel like I'd be willing to pay triple the price just to avoid waiting a decade for my watch . But at the same time, I can see why people would appreciate the craftsmanship and artistry that goes into making these things... it's definitely a unique product . And I'm curious, do you think the value of these watches is more about the brand or the actual time-telling function?