A gas-insulated high-voltage switch for the interruption of large currents includes a housing, a contact arrangement which is arranged in the housing and has two switching pieces which can be moved relative to one another along an axis. Each switching piece has a rated current contact and an arcing contact. The switch includes a drive which acts on a first of the two switching pieces. The switch includes a device configured to detect and indicate the contact wear of the two arcing contacts caused by the action of the arc. The device has an indicator arranged outside the housing. In the switch, the remaining life which is determined by the contact wear of the arcing contacts is detected and indicated by a simple mechanical mechanism. The device has a transmission mechanism which is fed through the housing in a gas-tight manner and a drive member coupled to the operating element.