Catherine Bishop

Founded in 1865 by Georges Favre-Jacot, Zenith has long held its own unique place in the world of Swiss watchmaking. Increasingly favoured by collectors and regarded as a brand that has long blended innovation with technical skill, it is above all rooted in the legacy of the iconic El Primero movement and the brand-defining watches that…

Rolex is the most well-known and revered horology house on the planet. Owning a Rolex is the ultimate symbol of prosperity in the western world. But just how much money do these watches actually involve? It's time to discover the most expensive Rolex watches ever, from the stories behind them to understanding their nicknames. Get…

Let’s start with the most important question. What is it about the jump hour mechanism that so enamours you?  When I started collecting watches in the 1990s I liked ‘odd’ watches, mainly from the 1970s. That meant alarm watches, strangely shaped cases, 24-hour dials, world time – anything out of the ordinary. I am not into 'normal'…

Swisswatches has teamed up with Panerai and together we will invite four people to the Panerai manufacture in Neuchâtel. Experience the excellence of this luxury Swiss manufacture first-hand, and discover how these masterpieces come to life. An inspiring, unforgettable trip of a lifetime!

If there’s one thing Piaget is known for, it’s gold. One of the only horology houses to cast its own gold, Piaget’s work with the material has long been recognised in the industry, from its so-called ‘coin watches’ of the 1940s to its first ground-breaking gold Polo watches. Only in 2016 were the sporty steel Polo S iterations of…

Whether it's Sofia Richie, Natasha from Sex and the City, or influencer The Gstaad Guy's 'Constance' serving as your inspiration, 'quiet luxury' remains the hottest trend this summer – and I would make the case that this dashingly handsome collector's piece doubles up as the ultimate embodiment of the 'quiet luxury' movement. With its combination…

If there’s one thing you should know about Frederique Constant, it’s that the brand is on the up. In recent years, under the savvy leadership of CEO Niels Eggerding, the Swiss horology house has streamlined its watches, refined its target group, and is simultaneously shifting into a higher quality environment. This shift ranges from commerce,…

These days, Vacheron Constantin seems to reach new heights every five minutes. Ever more in the eyes of the public and not just connoisseurs, the horology house recently burst through the billion-franc mark, as it achieved a phenomenal 1.097 billion Swiss francs in sales. According to Morgan Stanley’s annual watch report, this amounts to an average watch…

At first glance, the Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier looks like your archetypal Swiss watchmaking manufacture. Bright, modern white rooms play host to advanced machines, exquisite movement decorations are proudly displayed in all their glory, employees pose by solar panels citing sustainability pledges. Yet, beneath this spotless exterior lies a complex and highly sought-after entity within the…

Jaeger-LeCoultre, often dubbed the ‘Watchmaker of Watchmakers’, has a long history of supplying parts to esteemed brands like Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Cartier. Today a fully integrated manufacture producing some of the most coveted and complicated luxury watches in the world, this legacy of expertise is upheld by the 180 crafts that continue to…

When one thinks of Swiss-made watches, what springs to mind? For some of us, it’s a luxurious boutique in the heart of an affluent metropolis. For others, it’s a fast-paced car rally with watch-branded banners plastered over the track. But what about the place where mechanical watches come to life? To find out, I accompanied…

As any watch enthusiast will know, it is often not just the aesthetic of a watch that enamours us: it's the story behind it. Cue the Reverso Travelling Collection, which is currently making a stop at Jaeger-LeCoultre's boutique on the prestigious shopping street Maximilianstrasse in Munich. The story behind the Reverso is a tale well-told,…