Olympia Express

Olympia Express – Swiss Espresso Manufacturer Since 1928

You take the lever of the Cremina in your hand. It's heavy, mechanical, precisely fitted. You slowly pull it upwards – the pre-infusion piston system lets water flow into the chamber, soaking the puck. Five seconds, seven seconds. Then you push the lever down. The force you need is noticeable – you have to stabilize the machine with your other hand or grasp the portafilter handle. From the 49mm portafilter, the first drop emerges – dark, thick, with a crema that builds up like only with lever extractions. That's Cremina, that's Olympia Express. A machine whose basic concept has remained identical for over five decades because it doesn't need to change.

Olympia Express has been building espresso machines in Switzerland for almost a century. Founded in 1928 in Chiasso (Ticino) by Luigi Bresaola. Even then, the focus was on designing machines to last for decades rather than thinking in terms of product cycles. In 2010, Olympia Express was acquired by Schatti AG, led by Thomas Schatti. In 2011, production was moved to its current location: Sernftalstrasse 34b in Schwanden, Canton Glarus. Each machine is handmade there – component by component, assembled by skilled craftsmen. Despite "Express" in the name, Olympia Express is closer to a slow-coffee philosophy than to industrial café technology. The Cremina has been in the product line for over five decades and its basic concept has remained identical. The Maximatic is its dual-circuit sister from 1974. The Mina, the youngest addition to the family, is the manual portable espresso maker. Coffee Coaching Club carries the current Olympia Express range in Switzerland – showrooms in Bern and Zurich, delivery in a few days.

What makes Olympia Express special

Three things. First: Swiss craftsmanship in its purest form. Each machine is handmade in Schwanden, Canton Glarus. Solid mechanics made of chrome and stainless steel, components designed to last for decades. Cremina machines from the 1970s are still running today, with occasional seal replacements. This is not marketing; this is the norm. Second: Slow-coffee philosophy. The Cremina is a conscious decision against convenience and for ritual – lifting the lever, pressing, feeling how the puck reacts. If the pre-infusion timing isn't right, the shot tastes different. This is the feedback that forces learning. Third: Design continuity. The Cremina looks today as it did fifty years ago. This is confidence in a solution that works.

The classic Olympia models (Cremina, Cremina SL) use the 49 mm portafilter – a historical Italian format from the 1960s, which allows for a deeper coffee puck with the same dose and thus produces a different body in the cup than the 58 mm standard format. The Maximatic also uses the typical Olympia 49 mm format. The Mina works with a 49.5 mm filter basket.

Comparison table: all 4 active models at a glance

All values according to official Olympia Express specifications. Prices incl. CHF, as of 17.05.2026. Cremina, Cremina SL and Maximatic in 3 colors (anthracite, red, white). All models 1000 W power consumption (except Mina, which operates without electricity).

Understanding the four Olympia brewing systems

Olympia Express is the only brand in our range that offers four different brewing system architectures simultaneously. Which concept suits you depends on how much manual control you seek and where you want to prepare your espresso.

Manual Hand Espresso Maker (Mina)

No boiler, no electricity, no pump – just a lever, piston, and filter. Hot water comes from an external source (thermos, kettle, gas burner). You fill the Mina with water, let it temper briefly, then manually press the lever. Travel size, approx. 49.5 mm filter basket. Only in the Mina. Advantage: usable anywhere, no power connection needed. For travel, chalets, camping, offices without espresso infrastructure.

Manual Lever with Pre-Infusion Piston (Cremina)

Classic lever principle: You pull the lever upwards, a small amount of water flows into the piston chamber and wets the puck (pre-infusion). Then you manually push the lever downwards – your body strength generates the brewing pressure of approx. 9 bar. No PID, no pump, no electronics for extraction. Only boiler (1.8 L stainless steel), lever, chamber, and puck. Built into the Cremina. Advantage: maximum manual control, direct mechanical feedback, learning curve with immediate feedback. Factory setting: 0.7–0.8 bar boiler pressure, 92 °C brewing temperature.

Spring Lever Brew Group (Cremina SL)

Cremina architecture with a significant enhancement: a compression spring in the brew group. You pull the lever upwards, thereby tensioning the spring. The spring then takes over the pressure build-up – the lever moves down controlled and evenly during extraction; you only guide it. This results in a more reproducible pressure curve and makes operation less physically strenuous, without losing the manual character. Otherwise identical to the classic Cremina (49 mm portafilter, 1.8 L boiler, Swiss craftsmanship from Schwanden). Factory setting: 1.1–1.2 bar boiler pressure, 92 °C brewing temperature. Built into the Cremina SL. Advantage: Cremina experience with a bit more consistency and less physical effort.

Olympia Dual-Circuit Brew Group (Maximatic)

The electric sister of the Cremina. Classic dual-circuit architecture with vibration-damped pump: fresh water from a 1.5 L tank is brought to brewing temperature (92 °C) via a heat exchanger in the 0.75 L heating boiler, while steam for milk drinks is simultaneously generated in the heating boiler. Brewing and steaming work side by side without waiting. Olympia-typical proprietary brew group – not E61, not a saturated group, but its own Swiss design. Built into the Maximatic. Advantage: Olympia design language and craftsmanship in a classic espresso semi-automatic format. One of the most compact dual-circuit machines available (19.5 × 34 cm footprint).

The Olympia Express Family

Olympia Express Mina – manual portable espresso maker

The latest Olympia development. A manual hand-held espresso maker, optimized for portability – light, compact, without a power connection. For travel, chalets, weekends in the mountains or the garden. You need hot water from an external source (thermos, kettle, gas burner); the Mina does the rest mechanically – the same Swiss precision as the Cremina, in a format you can take with you. Housing made of high-quality aluminum, stainless steel, and brass. Bottomless portafilter, mini tamper (49.5 mm), drip tray, and operating instructions included. With a sustainable case and integrated accessory compartment. For anyone who wants the Olympia experience without a power outlet and fixed location. CHF 969.95.

Olympia Express Cremina – the classic lever

The machine that made Olympia Express famous worldwide. Classic Swiss lever machine with pre-infusion piston system: You pull the lever upwards, a small amount of water is drawn into the chamber and wets the puck for controlled pre-infusion. Then you manually push the lever downwards – the hot water is forced through the compressed coffee, your body strength generates the necessary 9 bar brewing pressure. 49 mm portafilter, top-fillable 1.8 L stainless steel boiler (AISI 314 L quality) for approx. 20 cups of espresso, brew group and portafilter made of chrome-plated highly polished brass, extra-long steam wand and steam nozzle made of stainless steel, high-performance tubular heating element made of stainless steel with thermal fuse. 20 × 27 × 33 cm, 11 kg. Complete manual control – no pump, no electronics, no PID. At CCC in three color variants: anthracite, red, and white. CHF 3'679.95.

Olympia Express Cremina SL – Spring Lever with Compression Spring

The Cremina with a significant enhancement: a compression spring in the completely redesigned brew group. Instead of pushing the lever down with full force, the pressure is built up by the spring – the lever moves down controlled and evenly during extraction; you only guide it. This results in a more reproducible pressure curve and makes the Cremina operation less physically strenuous, without losing the manual character. Factory setting: 1.1–1.2 bar boiler pressure, 92 °C brewing temperature. Otherwise identical to the classic Cremina: 49 mm portafilter, pre-infusion piston system, 1.8 L stainless steel boiler, Swiss craftsmanship from Schwanden. 20 × 27 × 38 cm (with lever 47 × 49 cm), 13 kg. At CCC in three color variants: anthracite, red, and white. For anyone seeking the Cremina experience with a bit more consistency. CHF 3'829.95.

Olympia Express Maximatic – the most compact dual-circuit machine

The electric sister of the Cremina, in production since 1974. Dual-circuit semi-automatic with vibration-damped pump and classic Olympia mechanics in the typical aesthetic: high chrome presence, visible mechanics, Swiss craftsmanship. Brewing and steaming work side by side without waiting – unlike the Cremina, the Maximatic is designed to regularly prepare milk drinks. Fresh water tank 1.5 L (refillable during operation), 0.75 L heating boiler made of taste-neutral stainless steel. Front panel made of highly polished stainless steel, frame and casing powder-coated. Illuminated extraction button, water level indicator, manometer, extra-long steam wand. One of the most compact dual-circuit machines on the market – 19.5 × 34 × 37 cm, 18.2 kg. At CCC in three color variants: anthracite, red, and white. CHF 3'989.95.

Who is Olympia Express for?

Olympia Express is a conscious decision, not a necessity. Anyone looking for instant push-button convenience, a programmable machine for morning-out-the-door, or a setup for multiple people simultaneously will find better solutions from other manufacturers. Olympia Express suits people who see espresso as a ritual, who appreciate craftsmanship, who want to buy a machine that ages with the kitchen and the family. The Cremina is the choice for lever enthusiasts who seek the pure lever experience. The Cremina SL is the middle ground – lever character, but with spring assistance. The Maximatic is for those who want the Olympia design language with classic dual-circuit mechanics. The Mina is the portable version for on the go.

For those seeking manual lever extraction without their own boiler: Flair Espresso (hot water from an external source, completely mechanical, comparable to the Mina). For those who prefer Italian tradition with a pump machine: Rocket Espresso, ECM, Profitec. For those who want a saturated brew group and app control: La Marzocco. For those who want flow profiling with a paddle in a home format: Lelit Bianca V3. For those looking for another spring lever machine: Profitec Pro 800.

What goes with it

A Cremina or Maximatic places special demands on the grinder: Because you manually control the pressure and pre-infusion timing, uneven grind size becomes immediately apparent. For classic Italian grinders: Eureka Mignon Specialita or Libra. For precise single-dose precision on a 49 mm portafilter: Varia VS3 or VS4 (VS4 with SCA Best New Product Award 2026, exclusive Swiss importer). For premium grinders: Weber Workshops KEY or Option-O Lagom P64. For hand grinders that pair well with the Mina: Comandante C40 or 1Zpresso.

For scales: Normcore for robust and affordable, or Acaia Lunar with flow rate display. For airtight bean storage: Airscape (exclusive Swiss importer). For precise brewing water: Apax Labs mineral profiles (exclusive Swiss importer). Background information on extraction, lever mechanics, and pre-infusion in our Sensory World.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Olympia Express built?

In Schwanden in the canton of Glarus (Sernftalstrasse 34b, 8762 Schwanden) – its headquarters and production facility. Olympia Express was founded in 1928 in Chiasso in Ticino by Luigi Bresaola, acquired by Schatti AG in 2010 and moved to Schwanden GL in 2011. Today, the company is managed by Thomas Schatti. Each machine is handmade in the Schwanden factory – component by component.

Which Olympia Express machine is right for me?

For the pure lever ritual with full manual control: Cremina (CHF 3'679.95). For Cremina character with spring assistance and easier operation: Cremina SL (CHF 3'829.95). For classic dual-circuit mechanics with Olympia design and simultaneous brewing and steaming: Maximatic (CHF 3'989.95). For portable lever extraction on the go without electricity: Mina (CHF 969.95).

What is the difference between the Cremina and the Cremina SL?

The classic Cremina is a pure lever machine: you push the lever down with full body strength, and the pressure profile is created by your movement (factory boiler pressure 0.7–0.8 bar). The Cremina SL has a compression spring in the brew group – the spring takes over the pressure build-up, and the lever moves down controlled by itself (factory boiler pressure 1.1–1.2 bar). This results in a more reproducible pressure curve and makes operation less physical. Cremina for pure manual control, Cremina SL for lever character with spring consistency.

What brew group does the Olympia Maximatic have?

The Maximatic uses a proprietary Olympia dual-circuit brew group – not an E61, not a saturated brew group in the classic sense. The architecture follows the dual-circuit principle: fresh water from the tank is brought to brewing temperature (92 °C) via a heat exchanger in the heating boiler, while steam for milk drinks is simultaneously generated in the heating boiler. This allows for simultaneous brewing and steaming without waiting. Olympia's own Swiss design.

Why does the Cremina have a 49 mm portafilter instead of 58 mm?

The 49 mm portafilter is a historic Italian format from the 1960s. Physically, it means: with the same dose, the coffee puck sits deeper in the basket, and the water has a longer contact path through the ground coffee. This favors the extraction of body and texture – characteristic of classic Italian lever espressos. The 49 mm standard is significantly rarer today than 58 mm, but it has its own distinct flavor profile. Olympia Express has adhered to this format for decades. The Mina uses the related 49.5 mm format.

What is the Olympia Express Mina?

The Mina is the portable lever solution in the Olympia portfolio and the brand's newest addition. Completely manual, without electricity, light and compact enough for travel, camping, the chalet, or the garden. You only need hot water from an external source (thermos, kettle, gas burner). Aluminum, stainless steel, and brass casing. Bottomless portafilter, mini tamper, drip tray, and sustainable carrying case included. The same Swiss craftsmanship as the Cremina and Maximatic, in a format you can take with you.

How long does an Olympia Express machine last?

Cremina machines from the 1970s and 1980s are still in use today – with occasional seal or heating element changes. This is the manufacturing philosophy: Olympia Express builds for decades, not for product cycles. Spare parts are still available for older models. A Cremina is one of the few consumer goods that can literally be passed down through generations.

Does the Olympia Cremina have an E61 group head?

No. The Cremina is a pure manual lever machine with a pre-infusion piston system – not an E61 group head (E61 is a thermosiphon group head developed by Faema in 1961 for pump machines). The Cremina operates without a pump and without a thermosiphon. The Cremina SL uses a spring-lever group head (with a compression spring), and the Maximatic uses a proprietary Olympia dual-boiler group head. None of these designs are E61.

Can I see Olympia Express before purchasing?

Yes. Olympia models are available in the showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b). The weight of the Cremina lever, the click when lifting, the feeling as the SL's spring builds pressure – these cannot be conveyed through photos. Not all variants are on-site at the same time, a quick inquiry is sufficient.

How are Olympia Express machines delivered in Switzerland?

Standard shipping throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 working days. Click and Collect in Bern and Zurich. For Cremina, Cremina SL, and Maximatic, an on-site setup with assembly and introduction to manual lever or dual-boiler operation can be booked for an additional charge upon request – a quick inquiry is sufficient. Financing via Heylight is possible.

Which grinder is suitable for an Olympia Cremina?

Cremina setups require precise grinders because manual lever extraction is sensitive to uneven grind size. Classic Mignon grinders like Eureka Atom or Specialita are typical companions. For single-dose precision: Varia VS3 or VS4. For premium: Weber Workshops KEY or Option-O Lagom P64. It is important that the grinder can be precisely adjusted down to the fine espresso range. Many customers combine Cremina with Eureka or Varia.

Personal Consultation: +41 76 789 15 79 (Mon–Sat 9:00–12:00 and 13:30–18:00) · office@coffeecoachingclub.ch
Showrooms: Bern, Gerberngasse 44 (Mon–Sat 10:00–18:00) | Zurich Oerlikon, Hagenholzstrasse 50b (Tue–Sat 10:00–17:00)
Delivery: 2–4 working days throughout Switzerland · Click and Collect · Free shipping from CHF 60 · On-site setup for Cremina, Cremina SL, and Maximatic can be booked for an additional charge upon request · Financing via Heylight possible

Model overview status: May 17, 2026. Sources: official Olympia Express specifications, Olympia Express company history, CCC product database.