Olympia Express Cremina – Lever Espresso Machine from Switzerland
Buy the Olympia Express Cremina in Switzerland: lever espresso machine with pre-infusion piston system, built in Schwanden GL. Showrooms in Bern and Zürich.
The Cremina is a purely manual lever machine. You generate the brewing pressure of nine bar yourself with the lever. Brew group, steam wand and steam nozzle are made of chrome-plated brass, the boiler of chrome steel. It is built by Schätti AG Metallwarenfabrik in Schwanden in the canton of Glarus.
What defines the Cremina
Pre-infusion piston system
When you raise the lever, the Cremina draws a small amount of water into the piston chamber. It flows into the tamped coffee and lets it pre-infuse. When you press the lever down, the hot water is forced through the coffee. According to Olympia Express, the only sound the machine makes is the singing of the boiler as it heats up.
Valued around the world
The “New York Times” and the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” have called the Cremina “the best espresso machine in the world”. For more than 40 years, Olympia Express has been receiving letters from owners all over the world. The manufacturer also says: espresso from the Cremina takes a little practice.
Built for a small eternity
Inside, Olympia Express uses stainless steel, chrome and brass. Piston and portafilter are made of brass, chrome-plated and highly polished, as are the extra-long steam wand and the steam nozzle. The top-fill boiler made of chrome steel AISI 314 L holds 1.8 litres and is enough for 20 cups of espresso. The stainless steel tubular heating element has a thermal fuse against overheating. Boiler pressure is factory-set to 0.7 to 0.8 bar and brewing temperature to 92 °C in the brew head.
At a glance
| Type |
Lever espresso machine with pre-infusion piston system |
| Brewing pressure |
9 bar, generated by hand via the lever |
| Brew group |
Piston and portafilter made of brass, chrome-plated and highly polished |
| Boiler |
1.8 l chrome steel AISI 314 L, top-fill, for 20 cups of espresso |
| Factory boiler pressure |
0.7–0.8 bar |
| Factory brewing temperature |
92 °C in the brew head |
| Heating |
Stainless steel tubular heating element with thermal fuse |
| Steam |
Extra-long steam wand and steam nozzle made of chrome-plated brass |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) |
20 × 27 × 33 cm |
| Weight |
11 kg |
| Power supply |
220–240 V / 50 Hz, 1000 W |
| Cable length |
160 cm |
| Colours |
Anthracite, red, white |
| Manufacturer |
Schätti AG Metallwarenfabrik, Schwanden GL, Switzerland |
Cremina or Cremina SL?
With the Cremina, you generate the brewing pressure with your hand on the lever alone. The Cremina SL has a pressure spring in the brew head that provides constant brewing pressure, and a factory boiler pressure of 1.1 to 1.2 bar. You will find both models in the Olympia Express collection.
Who it is made for
For anyone who wants to guide the shot by hand: you control pre-infusion and pressure via the lever. That takes a little practice. We calculate extraction by weight ratio, with 1:2 as a starting point, never by time alone. No two shots are alike, because the bean, the humidity and how you feel on the day all change. Nobody needs a Cremina. You want it or you don't. Our opinion is one of many.
You can compare other machines in the coffee machine advice tool or in the coffee machines overview. Anyone who wants to test machines and grinders side by side can book an espresso machine and grinder comparison in the showroom: a reserved hour with the equipment. An option, not a requirement. An advice appointment in the showroom, by phone or online is free of charge. A private barista course can be booked in addition. Financing available.
What goes with it
For anyone who wants an affordable and precise grinder: the Varia VS3 from the Varia collection or a hand grinder from Comandante and Timemore. If you want flat burrs up to 80 mm: Varia VS6, Weber Workshops EG-1 or Option-O Lagom.
For anyone who wants an affordable and precise scale: Normcore. If you want an app, Bluetooth and a flow rate display: Acaia. We carry tamper, funnel and tamping mat for the Cremina in the Olympia Express collection, and a unibody portafilter for the Cremina from Weber Workshops.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Cremina and the Cremina SL?
With the Cremina, you generate the brewing pressure of 9 bar with your hand on the lever. The Cremina SL has a pressure spring in the brew head for constant brewing pressure. Factory boiler pressure: Cremina 0.7 to 0.8 bar, Cremina SL 1.1 to 1.2 bar.
Where is the Cremina built?
In Schwanden in the canton of Glarus, at Schätti AG Metallwarenfabrik. According to Olympia Express, the machines are assembled there by hand.
How much espresso does one boiler filling deliver?
The boiler holds 1.8 litres and, according to Olympia Express, is enough for 20 cups of espresso. It is filled from the top.
Are spare parts available for the Cremina?
According to Olympia Express, the machines can always be repaired, and spare parts are available for old models too. Some owners have been using their Olympia Express for more than 40 years.
Can I see the Cremina before buying?
In our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zürich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) we show a wide selection, but not the entire range. Write to us before your visit at [email protected] and we will check whether the Cremina is there. Delivery throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2–4 working days, Click & Collect in Bern and Zürich.
Tip from the roastery: For espresso from the Cremina, we start at 1:2 and adjust from there to taste. For dense, chocolatey espresso we use Cozy Chocolate or Nutty Delight, for maximum body Very Nutty. If you want to discover fruity notes, you will find them in Wild Peach. That is our recommendation, one of many.
