WHAT DOES “SWISS MADE” MEAN AT DUBOIS ET FILS?
INSIGHT INTO THE PRODUCTION OF THE DBF007
Where it says ‘Swiss Made’ on the outside doesn't always mean ‘Swiss Made’ on the inside. At DuBois et fils there are concrete actions behind those words. Our company has stood for transparency and open communication for years. In this article we will give you deeper insight into the production of our latest watch — which we will report more about and present to you in October 2021.
CASE MANUFACTURING IN SWITZERLAND
Choosing the right case manufacturer is not an easy task for a watch company. Especially if production is to take place in Switzerland.
There are numerous manufacturers of watch cases in Switzerland. To cut costs, many larger companies, however, allow certain preparatory work — such as punching — to be done in Chinese factories.
DuBois et fils works with manufacturers who offer "Swiss made", disclose their production steps and act transparently. We want to know where the raw material comes from, where the glass comes from, whether there is any work outsourced to third parties. Further, DuBois et fils produces limited watch series. This means that we only have small quantities manufactured. A large number of the factories are therefore out of the question for any cooperation at all.
For the DBF007, we are working with EFTEOR in Bassecourt the first time. This rather small company produces high-quality watch cases for well-known brands. The case of the DBF007, each of which contains an AS-1895 automatic movement, is an expression of DuBois et fils' very own style — not only in design, but also in production.
TRULY HANDMADE
The housings are milled entirely on computer-controlled CNC machines. But the hardest part of manufacturing isn't making the case, it's the polishing. This step involves a lot of manual labor and requires skilled workers with a great deal of experience. The switch between polished and brushed surfaces requires especially precise and careful work.
The first sample of the DBF007 shows that the case is of the highest Swiss quality. The different materials are perfectly combined with each other. The result is a real gem.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
Our dial manufacturer, the Cadranor company, is based in Courtedoux near the French border at Porrentruy. The company works for well-known Swiss watch brands that, like DuBois et fils, rely on Swiss Made production. Their demand for the quality of each dial is very high. This is in line with our wish: Our timepieces should look perfect. The high price that goes with the production is well worth the result. In the end it is the dial that gives the first impression of a watch.
WITH THE UTMOST CARE TO COMPLETION
A DuBois et fils dial has many small details that need to be perfectly matched. The right choice of color, for example, is not always easy. In a longer process, we advise and discuss numerous patterns together with Cardranor until we find the right color.
In order to achieve the highest possible depth effect, Cadranor applies many layers of paint. The dials of our DBF006 bidynators have been painted up to 20 times. Executions that are visibly worthwhile.
For our watches, of which we sometimes produce only 11 copies in a series, we therefore make an immense effort. Each model is a unique piece. Not only the interior — original historical movements — is of high quality, but also the case and dials are characterized by first-class materials and the finest designs at the highest level.
SWISS MADE WITH CHARACTER
Sure, we could also have a large part of this work produced abroad at significantly lower prices. Simply stated, this path wouldn’t match either our way of thinking or our goals. We rely 100% on Swiss Made for the case, the dial and the movement.
The subject of Swiss Made has been hotly debated in the watch industry for years. Legal regulations state that with a share of 60% of individual components a watch can be labeled "Swiss Made". Who controls this remains open. Imprecise information and different interpretations open the door to a gray area.
DuBois et fils wants to sell more than a product: DuBois et fils has a responsibility and thinks long-term. In production, but also in the use of the latest technologies – the DBF token with blockchain – we therefore rely on transparency and quality. We achieve this thanks to our determination and accessibility, an orientation that we would like to expand even further in the future.
As soon as you see or hold the DBF007 in your hands, you will notice that "Swiss Made" is not just beautiful lettering. The whole watch radiates Swiss Made.
Photos 2021
- Top: CTC machines
- Below: Workstations for precise manual work
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