Aerowatch
Saignelégier, Switzerland · Est. 1910
Founded by Swiss watchmakers, Saignelégier
An independent Swiss family business continuously producing quality timepieces since 1910, Aerowatch has maintained its craft in Saignelégier through four generations. Renowned for intricate skeleton dials, hand-engraved movements and ornate guilloché work, the brand stands as a living monument to traditional Swiss horology.
- Founded
- 1910
- Headquarters
- Saignelégier, Switzerland
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Renaissance — Skeleton watches featuring hand-engraved and guilloché-decorated bridges and plates. The collection that put Aerowatch on the map of serious craft-focused watchmaking.
- Les Grandes Classiques — Elegant dress watches built around guilloché-decorated dials and refined proportions. The core of Aerowatch's Swiss Made tradition.
- 1942 — Vintage-inspired round dress watches evoking the brand's wartime heritage with domed crystals and coin-edge cases.
- Intuition — A refined collection of classic dress watches with clean lines and understated elegance, representing Aerowatch's contemporary take on timeless Swiss design.
Timeline
- 1910 — Aerowatch is founded in Saignelégier in the Les Franches-Montagnes region of the Swiss Jura, establishing itself as a craft watchmaker from the outset.
- 1920 — The brand builds a reputation for hand-engraved movements and guilloché dial work, skills rare even among Swiss houses.
- 1970 — Unlike many Swiss brands, Aerowatch survives the quartz crisis by doubling down on traditional craft and skeleton work rather than competing on price.
- 1995 — The Renaissance skeleton collection gains international recognition, establishing Aerowatch as a respected name in affordable fine craftsmanship.
- 2004 — Aerowatch launches its modern wristwatch collections, expanding beyond its traditional pocket-watch heritage to reach a broader audience while maintaining its craft-focused identity.
- 2010 — The centenary is celebrated with special editions, and the brand reflects on 100 uninterrupted years of Swiss family watchmaking.
- 2020 — Fourth-generation family ownership continues, with the brand maintaining its independence and Saignelégier base into a second century.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aerowatch
- What is guilloché?
- Engine-turned engraving on metal using a rose engine lathe. The lathe cuts intricate repeating geometric patterns — barleycorn, clous de Paris, hobnail — that catch light in ways impossible to replicate by hand or printing.
- Is Aerowatch still family-owned?
- Yes. The company has been continuously family-owned since its founding in 1910 in Saignelégier, making it one of Switzerland's longest-running independent watchmakers.
- Are Aerowatch movements made in-house?
- Aerowatch primarily uses Swiss ébauches (notably ETA-based movements), with the brand's craft focused on exceptional dial work, hand engraving, and skeletonisation rather than movement development.
- What price range should I expect?
- Most Aerowatch pieces sit between CHF 500 and CHF 4,000, making them one of the more accessible entry points into genuine Swiss craft watchmaking.