Rest of the World
The Rest of the World
Seven nations shaped the history of watchmaking — Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Japan, France and Italy. But the art of horology does not stop at their borders. These are the countries still waiting for their place on our dial.
Important Secondary Watchmaking Countries
Netherlands
Christiaan van der KlaauwAstronomical complications and planetarium watches. Dutch watchmaking is small but highly respected among collectors.
Denmark
Urban Jürgensen · NordgreenDenmark's contribution is mainly modern design; the Jürgensen family played a major role in Scandinavian horology.
Austria
Habring²A land of precision clockmakers and scientific instruments. Habring², founded by Richard and Maria Habring, is known for in-house complications and exceptional value.
Czech Republic
PrimFounded during the communist era, Prim remains the country's best-known watch brand.
Sweden
Sjöö Sandström · HaldaSwedish watchmaking is modern and design-oriented rather than historic.
Modern Independent Watchmaking Countries
Finland
SarpanevaFounded by master watchmaker Stepan Sarpaneva and known for highly artistic handcrafted watches.
Belgium
RessenceRevolutionary dial displays and modern engineering.
Ireland
McGonigleA respected family of independent watchmakers.
Norway
BruvikInspired by Norwegian nature and maritime heritage.
Asia and Beyond
China
Sea-Gull · Beijing Watch Factory · FiytaThe world's largest producer of watches by volume; Sea-Gull is one of the largest makers of mechanical movements.
Singapore
AzimuthA growing hub for collectors and independent brands.
Russia
Poljot · Vostok · RaketaSoviet and Russian watchmaking developed largely independently — military watches, space-programme links and rugged mechanical designs.
British invention → Swiss mastery → American industrialisation → German engineering → Japanese innovation → modern independent craftsmanship around the world.