A short animation for anyone who’s ever uttered the words: “How much?”.

Let’s just get this out of the way: watches are expensive. Depending on which brand and model you choose, a Swiss-made mechanical watch can cost anything from the high three figures to... well, the sky’s the limit. The most elaborate, complicated and extravagantly bejewelled watches command prices in the millions. That is, of course, an awful lot of money to tell the time.

Of course, anyone with an interest in fine watches will tell you that they are more than just machines for telling the time. They are statements of taste and status. They reflect an appreciation of traditional craftsmanship and an understanding that the easiest way of doing something isn’t always the best. In a world inclined towards all things fast and disposable, watches are that rare thing: a product designed to last. The question remains, though: just what is it that makes these tiny mechanical devices so expensive? Watch our short, animated film to find out.

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