Service

Watch certification

Our watch certification service confirms the highest precision and reliability of mechanical Swiss-made watches. Models that pass all the tests are awarded Master Chronometer certification. METAS-Cert also carries out other certifications for watches and movements in accordance with existing standards and specific requirements.

Climate chamber in one of our laboratories — © METAS

• What is watch certification?

  Watch certification is the independent testing and confirmation that a watch meets defined quality, accuracy and performance standards. It is carried out on the basis of standardised tests. It offers watch manufacturers and brands objective proof of the quality of the chronometer. At METAS, the Certification Body METAS-Cert is responsible for this.

Our services

As an independent body, METAS-Cert carries out MASTER CHRONOMETER certification procedures. This METAS certification for watches applies to:

• the accuracy of the chronometer under various influencing factors (temperatures, positions, magnetisation, used power reserve);
• the validation of the power reserve;
• the water resistance of the watches.

MASTER CHRONOMETER certification in accordance with METAS requirements N001

• Supporting the manufacturer in setting up the test programme
• Manufacturer audit
• Inspection of spot checks and tests on site
• Issuing the MASTER CHRONOMETER certification

Other services

• Type examinations
• Certification according to ISO 3159
• Specific tests and conformity assessments

Who we work for

Our watch certifications are aimed at the watch industry.

FAQ

• What requirements must a watch meet in order to obtain METAS “MASTER CHRONOMETER” certification?

  In order for a watch to be certified and awarded the “MASTER CHRONOMETER” quality label, it must meet the following requirements:

  • The watch must be Swiss made.
  • The movement must meet the criteria of a “chronometer” as defined in ISO 3159:2009.
  • The movement and the watch must undergo the test cycles and meet the technical criteria.

  The Swiss “MASTER CHRONOMETER” watch certificate confirms compliance with the defined METAS requirements.

  Further information on the requirements for obtaining the “MASTER CHRONOMETER” certification can be found in the document METAS Requirements N001 (Requirements for the certification of movements and mechanical watches resistant to magnetic fields of 1.5 T (15,000 G)).

• What is the difference between a “Chronometer” and a “MASTER CHRONOMETER”?

  According to ISO 3159, a chronometer is a movement whose average daily rate deviation is within -4 to +6 seconds. This means that the movement may not be more than four seconds late or six seconds early per day. To qualify as a chronometer, the movement must be tested by an accredited laboratory using standardised measurement procedures. Only the movement is tested under ISO 3159.

  For a mechanical watch to be called the “MASTER CHRONOMETER,” it has to be even more accurate than a chronometer. The watch must reach a rate accuracy of 0 to +5 seconds per day, i.e. it must never slow down and not be more than five seconds ahead of the actual time. The finished watch is tested under METAS-N001.

More information

• Requirements for certification of movements and mechanical watches resistant to magnetic fields of 1.5 T (15 000 G)

  PDF627.84 kB12 December 2022