“Swiss Made.” Two words found on timepieces across the world beyond a mark of quality, they express a certain way of thinking. In Switzerland, time is not only measured — it is respected. Care is given to each step, each detail, each decision. Not for the sake of perfection as an idea, but as a practice.
Inside Nagra company, Swiss Made is not a statement we make, but a standard we pursue. It lives in the precision of our work, in the discipline of our processes, and in the attention we bring to what often remains unseen.
We hold great respect for our peers. Yet our true point of reference remains our own history — what we have built, and what we expect from ourselves. From the SN recorders that accompanied missions as ambitious as Apollo, to our creations today, each generation quietly defines the next.
This is why we measure, listen, and refine — continuously. Through advanced instrumentation as well as critical listening, we take the time required to ensure that every detail meets our expectations.
In this edition, we invite you to step inside our workshops and discover what “Swiss Made” means to us — through the time we choose to take, and the standards we choose to uphold.
Testing is an integral part of our process. Our Laboratory is equipped with an extensive range of precision measurement instruments — tools rarely found together in a single audio manufacturing facility. Each unit undergoes a series of rigorous checks. After the initial power-on, a particularly delicate stage, all functions are verified, and key parameters measured. This is followed by a 48-hour burn-in period. The unit then returns to the measurement bench for a complete evaluation of its inputs, outputs, and overall performance.
Among the most distinctive elements of our designs are our audio transformers. Each one is entirely hand-made in our factory — a meticulous process requiring patience, precision, and experience. The most complex transformers, such as those used in the output stages of the HD and Reference Preamplifier, require close to a full day to produce a single pair. By mastering this process internally, our designers are free to explore solutions beyond standard components, developing performances and characteristics unique to Nagra.
The assembly hall is where all these elements come together. It is a dynamic environment, constantly evolving throughout the day. In the morning, only the foundations of a unit may be present; by the end of the day, a complete product takes shape. Behind this apparent flow lies careful preparation — front and rear panels, as well as key sub-assemblies, are produced in advance. Modulometers™, for example, require dedicated tooling and are assembled separately ahead of time. No two days are ever quite the same, and each requires careful coordination.
Even then, the process is not complete.
Each product is subjected to an individual listening session. This final step reflects our belief that measurement alone is not enough – that listening remains essential.
Every unit, regardless of its range, is personally evaluated before leaving our workshop.
Only then do we proceed to the final stages: cleaning, visual inspection, and packing.
