a Passion for Watches

The Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) presented the results for 2007. COSC speaks of record figures, as numbers went up 13.3% from 2006. In total, there were 1,538,676 registrations for 2007.

The first three are no big surprise, these are:

1. Rolex (728,255)
2. Omega (341,161)
3. Breitling (222,650)

The other 246,610 certificates are given to watches from other (mostly) major brands like Offcine Panerai, TAG-Heuer, Zenith, Sinn, Ebel and so on.

Chronometer?
(source: http://www.cosc.ch)

The term chronometer is often wrongly applied to timekeeping instruments fitted with an additional mechanism that may be set in motion by pushbuttons to enable measurement of the duration of an event. Such an instrument is in fact a chronograph or chronoscope. It may of course be chronometer-certified, provided it meets the criteria set for the standard. In its technical regulations, the COSC has included an additional condition, namely the permanent display of the seconds.

A chronometer is a high-precision watch capable of displaying the seconds and housing a movement that has been tested over several days, in different positions and at different temperatures, by an official neutral body (COSC).

• Each chronometer is unique, identified by a number engraved on its movement and a certification number given by the COSC.
• Each movement is individually tested for several consecutive days, in 5 positions and at 3 temperatures.
• Each movement is individually measured. Any watch with the denomination "chronometer" is provided with a certified movement.

More information can be found at: http://www.cosc.ch.

To create some added value to the a Passion for Watches LinkedIn group, we created a simple forum for members of this group to be able to meet and discuss watches, the watch industry etc. Please note that you do not have to register using your own name, but be sure to fill-in an e-mail address that works. a Passion for Watches is a non-profit initiative and we will assure you that your privacy will be respected.

Feel free to visit the forum and join the discussion (or start your own). Click 'forum' on top of the screen.

Have fun!! 

January 2009: Additional information, we took the forum off-line. Linkedin is now offering a discussion feature on their own site. Please feel free to join the Linkedin group and join the discussions. 

Richemont, the luxury group that includes prestigious names as Cartier, Montblanc, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC and Officine Panerai, presented the results of Q2 2008.

Total sales increased 20% in comparison to Q2 2007, up to EUR 1428m. Europe, Asia-Pacific and America all significant growth. Japan show a lower turnover for most maisons, probably due to the challenging market conditions, which have impacted the luxury businesses.

The full Management Statement can be downloaded from the Richemont website, or by clicking this link.

Welcome to a Passion for Watches, initiated due to the popularity of the identical named LinkedIn Group. With this website a Passion for Watches wants to create a platform for those who are active in the watch industry or are interested in the watch industry. 

Furthermore, active feeds from wrist watch related websites are published (or made easily accessible) through this portal. The links section will be updated regulary with relevant and interesting websites.

Enjoy!