What does the “chronometer certification” often mentioned in watches mean?
What does the "chronometer certification" often mentioned in watches mean? I believe that many of us will often see and hear the words "Observatory Certification" when looking at the introduction of a certain watch on a relevant watch website or buying a watch offline. Then, what does the so-called Observatory certification mean for a watch?
The observatory certification is actually a third-party professional testing organization for watches. The brand sends the watch to the observatory for testing. After passing the test, it will issue a certificate to the watch, proving that the travel time is accurate and the quality is clear.
The most common chronometer certifications are Swiss Observatory certification, Geneva seal, QF certification, Patek Philippe seal, Omega Master Chronometer certification, Fleurier certification, Jaeger-LeCoultre "1000-hour test" certification, and Rolex top chronometer certification. Among them, the Swiss Observatory certification is the most famous and has the longest history, abbreviated as COSS. It is a non-profit certification organization that tests and certifies more than 18 million mechanical quartz watches of various types every year. The number is extremely staggering.
Many watches that have not been submitted for inspection can also meet the standards of observatory certification. The price of watches certified by the observatory will generally be higher, because the inspection requires money, so the wool comes out of the sheep, and the related costs incurred by the inspection. Brands all have to count the cost of the watch, and ultimately consumers need to pay for it.
