Two years ago, as a British expatriate in Switzerland with time on his hands, Roy Slater-Hill decided instead to turn his hand to time and conceived the idea of Swiss Watch Tours.
Roy recognised that while people the world over marvel, dream and aspire to top quality Swiss-made watches, not many know where and how they are produced. It’s remained an intriguing mystery. And it’s not generally known that most of the major brands work within a stone’s throw of each other in the pristine environs of La Chaux de Fonds in the Jura mountains.
“I thought, I am surrounded by some of the world’s most luxurious watch brands, and I haven’t a clue how they are made. If I was curious maybe others would be too.”
Roy Slater-Hill, Director & Founder, Swiss Watch Tours
When Roy first started to make enquiries about gaining access to the workshops of some of today’s leading Swiss watchmakers he initially met with quite a few determinedly closed doors.
Understandably, Swiss watchmakers like to keep their latest multi-million dollar collections safe from prying eyes, and although it’s a close knit community, privacy and confidentiality are highly important. After all, a new collection represents thousands of highly skilled man hours, and there are several less than honourable outsiders who would love nothing more than to see what’s on offer and get it copied for much less in other parts of the world.
So the idea of tourists walking right through the workshops was at first met with a few raised eyebrows. However Roy persisted, and through in house contacts he eventually managed to gain access to some of the small independent workshops.
Due to his enthusiastic nature and awareness of the importance of confidentiality and discretion, word soon got around. Gradually more watch manufactures began to recognise that carefully controlled tours of interested visitors could actually be good for public relations and good for business. An insight into the magic of creating highly complex movements and casings could make potential consumers even more enthralled.
The concept of Swiss Watch Tours was born.
A full service 5-star tour
“Our job at Swiss Watch Tours is to feed the passion by putting our clients face to face with some of the world’s finest watchmakers, then stand back and allow them to witness the magic of what they do.”
From the start, Roy understood that if you travel thousands of miles to Switzerland to view a watch factory, everything needs to be taken care of. A Swiss watch is associated with quality and luxury, and the tour must have the same ambience.
On a typical two day tour, he picks his clients up from the airport in an executive Honda 4 x 4, and they are whisked to a 5-star hotel – usually the unique Hotel Palafitte in Neuchâtel literally built on a lake in the Pays de Neuchâtel.
After settling in, guests are given a talk by watch historian Lucienne Serex on the fascinating history of Swiss watches, and how many of today’s major worldwide brands evolved in farmsteads across the Jura Mountains during the winter months.
Day One
Day One is what everyone has been waiting for; a tour of the workshops. Clients are taken from Neuchatel and ascend the mountain to the often snowy city of La Chaux de Fonds, the true heart of Swiss watchmaking.
Roy often customises his visits to the interests and profile of his clients. The maximum number for any tour is never more than 15, so it’s an intimate party allowing the opportunity to get to know each other, and for plenty of one on one interaction.
The second part of the day includes a visit to Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres – COSC for short, which is the official Chronometer Testing Institute of Switzerland. Here clients get the opportunity to appreciate the stringent quality controls and tests that many of the leading brands go through in order to put those two magic words ‘COSC Certified’ on their watches. Each COSC certified movement has an engraved number on it, together with a COSC certificate.
The day is concluded with some Alpine sightseeing followed by dinner at an excellent restaurant called Boccalino, which serves a delicious mix of European, Italian, and Mediterranean cuisine.
Day Two
Day Two gives clients the opportunity to tour La Chaux de Fonds and realise just how many well known watch manufactures live practically next door to each other. The afternoon is taken up with a visit to the International Watch Museum, and the irresistible opportunity to buy as many hand-made chocolates from the legendary Walder’s without appearing too greedy.
Day 3
By Day Three it’s time for one last convivial 5-star breakfast as the tour ends. To ensure that guests see only the finest watchmaking workshops in action, Roy conducts tours in some of the most highly regarded independent manufactures, guaranteed to delight the connoisseur. These include Greubel Forsey, Parmigiani Fleurier and Girard Perregaux to name a few. Roy can also tailor tours precisely to the requirements of small touring parties.
The Swiss Watch Tours Team
“Our team is small but perfectly informed. I’ve been very fortunate to find exactly the right blend of expert and entertaining consultants who add a vital extra dimension to each tour.”
In the two years since Swiss Watch Tours started, Roy has surrounded himself with some industry experts to help bring the tours to life and inform clients in the best way possible. Team members include:
Roy Slater-Hill
Director and Founder
Roy’s passion for watches and how they are manufactured is what inspired Swiss Watch Tours and his key role is to manage the relationship between his clients and the watch manufactures he visits. It’s a role demanding discretion, tact and diplomacy due to the fact that so many rival watch brands are rubbing shoulders with one another.
Marc Bell
Senior Tour Director
Marc worked in the watch industry for years and has the experience, expertise and knowledge to make any tour come alive. Resident in Neuchatel he has un-paralleled ability to provide a truly professional insight into watch making in the Jura and elsewhere.
Natalie Jeundupeux
Tour Consultant
An expert in watches, the various movements and developments, Natalie keeps up to date with the dynamic world of the Swiss watch industry. She can inform and educate enthusiasts and collectors alike in this special business.
Francois Tschudin
Expert in gemmology – FA -SSG
Francois studied gemmology in England, USA and Switzerland. Expert at the Société Suisse de Gemmologie since 1985.
Luciennne Serex
Watch Historian
Lucienne explains the rich history of Swiss watchmaking from its earliest days to the multi-billion dollar industry it is today.
Myriam Hugli
Secretary and admin
Myriam has lived in Neuchatel for years and as a “native” can give visitors a view of the culture and history of the City that stretches back over a millennium. Enjoying the relaxed French cafe way of life she appreciates the true advantages of the area.
Who should take a Swiss Watch Tour?
Anyone with a passion for high quality Swiss watchmaking who has ever wondered how they are made and who are the creative, highly skilled craftsmen behind them. Those that visit never fail to be impressed by the expertise and intricacy that goes into some of the world’s finest watches.
And finally, something extra special
For the fortunate few, only a fully bespoke watch tour of a favoured atelier will do. Certain celebrities and high net worth individuals love to be flown in and chauffeured to their atelier to meet with senior management for an exclusive tour or to pick up or brief in a specially commissioned timepiece. This type of visit, complete with helicopter or private plane can all be discreetly arranged by Roy.
How to book a Swiss Watch Tour
“To own a Swiss watch is a pleasure, to see how they are made is a rare privilege”
Maybe you want to surprise a loved one for Valentine’s Day with a dream watch tour or maybe you have always longed to find out how watches are really made. Simply visit the Swiss Watch Tours website and complete the booking form, or contact Roy in person at royshill@swisswatchtours.com.
