"Standing the test of time," implies enduring quality. "You can set your watch by it," suggests reliability and consistency. These well-honored adages of the English language worked their way into our vocabulary on the highly regarded reputation of Swiss watchmaking. Recognized as an authority on the craft of watchmaking, Henry F. Piaget holds a prominent place in both Swiss and American manufacturing. Today the Piaget brand is widely held as some of the best craftsmanship in the world. Mass-produced goods versus time-honored, handcrafted piecework became a topic of great concern in the watch industry of Piaget's time. With the advent of mechanization, watches were mass-produced in America at cheaper prices, opening up a middle-class market for a cookie cutter product. However, the Swiss stood by their exacting workmanship, thereby creating a great rivalry and competition for the American watchmaking market. As a native of Switzerland and an American citizen, this expert craftsman felt uniquely positioned to weigh in on the merits and deficiencies of both. He offers his professional and unbiased insight in The Watch: Hand Work Versus Machinery.