Swiss House was originally family established in Lucerne, Switzerland in 1802. After several generations of watchmaking there, one family member immigrated to Chicago to set up shop in the United States. The next generation brought the business to Orlando, first opening in 1953. The Heckman family operated as full service watch and clock shop downtown until 1983, when they sold the store out of the original family, to the current owner/operator Bart Polachek. Now, for over 30 years, the legacy continues.