Why are pocket watches from Switzerland hallmarked?

Swiss pocket watch hallmarks are made mandatory by the Swiss government. Thus pocket watch cases made of gold, silver, platinum, palladium made is Switzerland were hallmarked or stamped with their precious metal content. Even foreign made watches sold in Switzerland are still hallmarked.

The official hallmark for the Swiss pocket watches is the head of a Saint Bernard, the breed of the dog rescuer that roams in the Alps. But a pocket watch from Switzerland may also have other stamp marks, too.

Pocket watch hallmarks also contains the assayer's stamp. In Swiss-made pocket watches, their hallmarks also bear the initial of the place where the timepiece was assayed.

B     for Biel
*    for Basel
T    for Chiasso
G    for Genf
C    for La Chaux-de-Fonds
J    for La Le Noirmont
Z    for Zurich

Benefits of hallmarking Swiss pocket watches

Hallmarked pocket watches mean they passed the scrutiny of the Swiss authorities. Thus you are sure you are getting a fine quality timepiece. Most of all, a hallmark is an affirmation that your pocket watch case is made of precious metal. Certain silver and gold hallmarks on Swiss pocket watches are so distinct that they are difficult to copy.

Swiss pocket watch hallmarks are helpful in pocketwatch identification. Some old cases have no pocket watch serial numbers and indicators of their brand names. If you have a pocket watch like this, look closely if there are stamp marks on the pocket watch case like the initials mentioned above.