The COSC, Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, the official Swiss authority for the certification of chronometers, is ushering in a new era in 2025.
The Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) is the official Swiss authority for the certification of chronometers. This important body is inaugurating a new era this year, after more than 50 years of activity. With a redefined positioning and a completely new visual identity, In fact, the COSC no longer targets only Swiss watch manufacturers, but aims directly at end consumers, guaranteeing the excellence that characterises each certified watch.
Since 1973, this important body has been certifying the precision of Swiss watch movements through rigorous tests guaranteeing their quality, reliability and durability. Any watch that passes these tests can therefore bear the coveted label of 'Certified Chronometer'. on the dial, a recognised symbol of quality.
Chronometer certification represents the perfect combination of 'Swiss Made' tradition and technical quality. With more than 60 brands subjecting their movements to COSC tests, this certificate has become a fundamental pillar for about 40% of Swiss mechanical watches exported worldwide every year.
COSC: a new identity and more transparency
The new COSC strategy includes a new logo and distinctive signature, a revamped website and an active social media presence.
The new era of the COSC includes, among other things, a new logo, a revamped website (which can be visited at this link), a more active social media presence, a newsletter full of exclusive content, and new certification cards. The latter offer consumers access to accurate test data on their watch movement.
As a neutral and independent authority, the COSC provides customers with the ultimate guarantee: a rigorously tested and objectively measured watch. COSC's partner brands benefit from increased visibility through all of the organisation's communication channels, ready-made content to amplify their message, and growing recognition through a proactive approach to the end customer.
As Andreas Wyss, Director of COSC, explains: 'It's not just about redesigning a logo, it's about showcasing what we do best: haute horology. By certifying precision, embodying excellence and making it known, we contribute to the global reputation of the Swiss watch industry.
Suffice it to say that dn 1973 to date, the COSC has certified almost 55 million movements, of which 2.4 million last year alone. Each certified movement undergoes rigorous tests that measure the time deviation on seven criteria under various conditions over a period of 12-20 days. Movements (both mechanical and quartz) with a chronometer certificate issued by the COSC must guarantee a deviation between -4 and +6 seconds per day. The COSC headquarters are in La Chaux-de-Fonds, but the organisation also has three laboratories located in Bienne, Le Locle, and Saint-Imier.
