How Your Favorite Brands Make Watches

If you imagine your intricate mechanical watch to be singlehandedly made by some gnome-like craftsman sitting in a snowy cabin, you might be slightly disillusioned by the reality. The advanced facilities behind luxury watches’ glitzy facade, however, in some ways seem almost magical, and a look inside them is an eye-opening experience.

Over the years, Gear Patrol has had the chance to see everything from how indestructible G-Shocks are built and tested to the delicate artistry behind some of the most prestigious Swiss watchmakers’s products. These factory (Europeans often prefer the French term manufacture) visits allow us to tell unique stories about watches beyond what’s broadly marketed to consumers and offer insight into the watch industry as well as individual brands.

If you want to understand your watch better or are simply fascinated by “how people make things,” as Mr. Rogers would say, the stories below offer deep dives into some of the world’s most notable brands and how they make watches.

Longines: 51 Million Watches Later, Still Operating Full Speed Ahead

longines factory timekeepinggear patrol slide 6

Allen Farmelo

How does Longines rake in over $1B in yearly revenue? Uninterrupted production, a robot or two and a top industry veteran at the helm contribute.

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Parmigiani: How to Build a Swiss Watch from Scratch

the ornately decorated calibre 110 from a limited edition parmigiani kalpa

Gear Patrol

Parmigiani Fleurier has quietly entered an elite group of watchmakers that produce movements, cases and dials for both themselves and other elite brands.

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Jaeger-LeCoultre: Inside the Watchmaker’s Watchmaker

Gear Patrol

There’s a lot of intricate work happening at the factory of a watchmaking legend.

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IWC: Manufacturing Center in Schaffhausen Photo Tour

Gear Patrol

We visited IWC’s beautiful new manufacturing center in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, opened for its 150th anniversary.

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Casio G-Shock: How Indestructible Watches Are Built and Tested

g shock photo essay gear patrol lead full

Andrew Connor

A look at the brand’s R&D facility in Hamura and production line in Yamagata.

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Citizen: A Rare Look Behind the Scenes at the World’s Largest Watchmaker

Gear Patrol

The people and machinery behind the world’s largest watchmaker — and the world’s thinnest watch.

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AnOrdain: Unique and Affordable Watches Made in Scotland

Oren Hartov

anOrdain has been making affordable enamel-dialed watches since late 2018, but it took the company 3 years to perfect its process.

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Montblanc: How They Make a Luxury Watch

montblanc factory tour gear patrol body 18

Oren Hartov

We show you around Montblanc’s watchmaking facilities, including a beautiful building in Villeret that once housed the Minerva manufacture.

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Seiko: Innovation and Tradition, Synchronized

Jason Heaton

A visit to Japan pulls back the curtain on Seiko, whose single-minded pursuit of lofty goals often makes it appear unconcerned with larger trends.

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Bremont: Pilot’s and Dive Watches Made for Professionals

bremont watches factory tour gear patrol ambiance 1

Oren Hartov

Nick and Giles English are on a mission — to bring watchmaking back to the United Kingdom. And they’re succeeding brilliantly.

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Editor’s Picks: Best Deals Today

Herman Miller Sayl Chair

Brooklinen Classic Core Sheet Set

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An elegant addition to your office, lounge, or bedroom, this watch winder keeps your automatic watches powered with up to 1,200 turns per day and three different rotational directions.

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Levi’s Type III Sherpa Trucker Jacket

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Levi’s Premium line takes some of the brand’s most classic silhouettes and re-ups them with some of the best materials and updated fits. We love this dark take on the type III sherpa.

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Ray-Ban 51mm Hexagonal Flat Lens Sunglasses

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Yeti mugs are some of our favorites and any time one goes on sale, we jump on it because they usually end up selling out fast. This mug might be perfect.

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Adidas Stan Smith Vegan

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Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker

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The standard when it comes to stovetop espresso makers, the Bialetti Moka pot has been a staple in Italian cafes and bars for decades. If you want the strength and concentration of espresso but don’t want an expensive machine, this is what you need.

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<a class="clickable-image-link clickable-image-embed-item clickable-image-product-link" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087CDJD3M?linkCode=ogi" target="_blank" data-vars-ga-product-sem3-brand="Seiko" data-vars-ga-product-sem3-category="" data-vars-ga-product-brand="Seiko" data-desturl="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087CDJD3M?linkCode=ogi" data-id="" data-order="14" data-vars-ga-product-price="$241.49" data-vars-ga-product-id="88d1ccd6-080c-4320-b561-2ef1ee4c5172" data-vars-ga-media-role="" data-vars-ga-product-sem3-id="" data-vars-ga-outbound-link="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087CDJD3M" aria-label="$242 ~~$350~~ Seiko 5 Automatic Watch” data-affiliate=”true”>

Seiko 5 Automatic Watch

Seiko amazon.com

$109 OFF (31%)

Automatic movement, day/date, protected crown, and a nearly indestructible case? This watch ticks all the boxes. It even has a see-through case back to see the movement at work.

READ ABOUT THE BEST WATCHES UNDER $5,000

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Asics Runners Mask

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Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Compact Vest

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Uniqlo always brings the hits and this vest is no exception. Made with ultra-light down, it is the perfect layering piece from fall through spring.

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GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight S1000

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Q Timex Reissue Falcon Eye 38mm

$30 OFF (16%)

With a 38mm-wide steel case, two-tone look, and a vibrantly blue striated dial, this is retro at it’s best. A domed acrylic crystal adds to its retro feel, and the ’70s-style bracelet gives it that extra touch of character.

READ MORE ABOUT THE Q TIMEX MODELS

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Herman Miller Eames Molded Plastic Side Chair

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Fit for any room in the house, this durable version of the classic Eames Shell Chair adds class and modern styling to any living space.

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Vega Sport Premium Protein Powder, Vanilla

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Lodge Pre-Seasoned 10.25-inch Cast Iron Skillet

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Branch Ergonomic Chair

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Since many of us are going to be spending our days away from the comfortable chairs and desks of our office, it may be time to invest in a nice chair for the home office.

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Casio G-Shock Quartz Watch

$46 OFF (33%)

A classic digital watch that’ll probably outlast you, and beloved darling of watch nerds of all types.

READ MORE ABOUT G-SHOCK

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Longines: 51 Million Watches Later, Still Operating Full Speed Ahead

Parmigiani: How to Build a Swiss Watch from Scratch

Jaeger-LeCoultre: Inside the Watchmaker’s Watchmaker

IWC: Manufacturing Center in Schaffhausen Photo Tour

Casio G-Shock: How Indestructible Watches Are Built and Tested

Citizen: A Rare Look Behind the Scenes at the World’s Largest Watchmaker

AnOrdain: Unique and Affordable Watches Made in Scotland

Montblanc: How They Make a Luxury Watch

Seiko: Innovation and Tradition, Synchronized

Bremont: Pilot’s and Dive Watches Made for Professionals

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