Chronometer
Lovers of valuable watches not only attach great importance to the exclusive appearance of their valuable timepiece. Precision and reliability are also important criteria. When customers buy a chronometer, they are buying a watch with the highest accuracy. The name chronometer can only be given to these high-quality timepieces.
Strict tests and tough conditions
Mechanical watches that want to carry the "officially certified chronometer" certificate must be tested by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC). This non-profit organization tests the accuracy of the watch movements according to a strict set of rules. It must be adhered to when certifying all mechanical watches made in Switzerland.
The movements are tested without the case. The tests last a total of 15 days. The movement is placed in five different positions and exposed to three temperatures. Over the duration of the test, the deviations in time must never be more than minus four or plus six seconds per day.
Sought-after watches
A famous certified watch is the Breitling Navitimer. Customers also buy chronometers with the highest accuracy with the Rolex Daytona. The Panerai Luminor combines elegance and precision. Because of their extraordinary reliability, watches from Ulysse Nardin also carry the COSC certificate.
Many luxury watch manufacturers in other countries also apply strict criteria when testing their watches so that these wristwatches can be called chronometers. One of the coveted chronometers is the Patek Philippe Complication. It is tested according to the criteria of the Patek Philippe seal.
A special feature is the " Master Chronometer " certificate. This seal is awarded by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). Numerous watches with Co-Axial movements from Omega, such as the Omega Globe Master with the 8900 caliber, bear it. Rolex also set new standards in 2015 and developed the " Superlative Chronometer " certificate.
