According to the 2003 annual report of the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC or Swiss Official Chronometer Control), Swiss watchmakers had more than 1.2 million watches certified as chronometers last year. The majority of the certificates were for mechanical watch movements (1.18 million, – 4%), but quartz movements can also be certified (33,150 last year, – 21%) according to much higher standards of accuracy.

The only official neutral agency in Switzerland that is accredited to deliver the certification of Chronometer, the COSC was created in 1973. This nonprofit association that is recognized as a public interest organization was created by five watchmaking cantons (Bern, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Solothurn and Vaud) and by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. The COSC tests watch movement accuracy at its three bureaus located in Biel, Geneva and Le Locle. Those watches that pass the tests are certified as Chronometers.

Rolex leads the number of certifications

Rolex, the prestigious company with headquarters in Geneva, received the greatest number of 2003 certifications with 756,408 chronometer certificates obtained. Rolex received 63% of total certified watch movements in 2003.

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