Watches made in Germany will have their national chronometer certification.
The distribution company Wempe has converted the old observatory in Glashütte, the Urania site, into a chronometer inspection centre. For the first time, German timepieces will be able to apply for certification according to the German industrial standard DIN 8319, under the supervision of the measuring and testing institutes of Saxony and Thuringe.
The DIN 8319 standard used at Glashütte differs radically from its Swiss counterpart in that it regulates the precision of the assembled watch, not just its movement. A full 15 days are required to perform the tests according to the numerous criteria. In the five positions 'crown on the left', 'crown on the top', 'crown on the bottom', 'dial on the top' and 'dial on the bottom', the watches must have an average daily deviation of between -4 and + 6 seconds, with an average daily deviation of less than 2 seconds and a maximum deviation of 5 seconds. The timepieces are tested at three different temperatures (23°C, 8°C et 38°C), at a humidity of approximately 50 %.
The movements are recharged every 24 hours after measuring the daily deviation. On the tenth day, any additional functions are integrated to assess their effect on running accuracy.
Glashütte's chronometer testing office offers its services to all watch manufacturers.
