MASTER
CHRONOMETER

Each movement is placed into a permanent "zero-energy-use" magnet and subjected to a strong magnetic field of 15,000   gauss.

Carefully-placed microphones monitor the ticking of the movements (tested in two different positions) to ensure their proper function in extreme magnetic conditions.

The movements are carefully assembled inside their cases and subjected to a further 15,000 gauss.

Microphones closely monitor the ticking of the complete watches to ensure they comply with METAS regulations.

Watches are rewound and fully magnetised in a field of 15,000 gauss.

At the start of day one a time 'stamp' is created by taking pictures of the watches hands and comparing their displayed times to an official METAS atomic clock.

After turning the watch heads in 6 different positions over a 24 hour period, a second set of pictures is taken to calculate the deviation between times displayed and atomic time.

On day two, the 24-hour testing process is identical to day one, only this time, the watches are demagnetised.

At the conclusion of the 48-hour test we calculate deviations between the magnetised and demagnetised results to ensure there's no impact on precision and our watches fall within the strict tolerances set by METAS.

Each day the watches are rewound and subjected to the following tests:

On wrist:
14 hours at 33 degrees Celsius with watches turned to different positions every 3 hours

Off wrist:
10 hours at 23 degrees Celsius with watches turned to different positions every 5 hours

Results on the precision of the watches (see test 3 procedures) are recorded daily and used at the completion of the 4 x 24-hour testing period to calculate the daily average deviation of each watch against a METAS-provided atomic clock.

Only the minutest deviations in these daily averages are permitted for a watch to become a Master Chronometer: Just 0-5 seconds per day or a maximum deviation of 0.0058% over a 24-hour period (half that of COSC).

Carefully positioned microphones register the ticking of the movements to calculate the precision of the watches.

Out of these six results, we establish the deviation between the two most extreme results known as the Delta, to ensure the movements are METAS compliant.

The watches are fully wound so the power reserve is at 100% (for example 60 hours).

Microphones register the ticking of the movements in six different positions in order to calculate precision.

The watches are left running until their power reserves reach 33% (for example 40 hours later).

Again, the movements are acoustically tested in six different positions.

We then take the average results of the measured precision during both states of the power reserve. The deviation between the two must fall within the tolerances set by METAS.

The watches are fully wound (power reserve at 100%).

The start time for the test is then recorded by photographing the position of the watch hands and comparing the reading to atomic time.

The watches are then left to function for the duration of their promised power reserve (e.g. 60 hours) before further pictures of the hands are taken to make a second atomic time comparison.

These readings must adhere to the power reserve standards set by METAS.

Watches are submerged in a pressurised tank for approximately two hours and subjected to pressures from zero to enormous: up to 1500M (150 bar) depending on the watch.

Once taken out of the water, the temperature of each watch is heated to 50 degrees Celsius.

A drop of cold water is then placed on the sapphire glass of each watch by hand. If condensation appears, it shows that the watch does not comply with METAS standards.

NOTE: In order to ensure added safety and security for professional divers, the pressure is actually raised 25% higher than the stated water-resistance when testing divers' watches.