Omega announces the creation of the Laboratoire de Précision, a big step forward in terms of precision standards.
For over 50 years in Switzerland, the majority of the mechanical movements assembled have passed through the precision controls carried out by the Cosc (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres), which awards the official title of 'certified chronometer'. Today, following authorisation by the SAS (the Swiss Accreditation Service), the Laboratoire de Précision created by Omega will be able to operate like the Cosc, performing alternative and independent tests. Despite being supported by Omega, However, the Laboratoire de Précision is a completely neutral and independent body, which offers all brands and gauge manufacturers the opportunity to carry out chronometric tests.
This neutrality and integrity was the specific requirement of its certification as an 'ISO/IEC17025:2017 compliant testing laboratory' by the Swiss Accreditation Service, the only body in Switzerland authorised to provide such approval. This officially guarantees that the Laboratoire de Précision will pursue reliability, independence and impartiality in its movement tests. The measurement of movements according to ISO 3159 'Instruments for measuring time - Wrist chronometers with balance-spiral oscillator'. is one of the testing methods for which Laboratoire de Précision is accredited.
Laboratoire de Précision raises precision standards
In addition to standard chronometric equipment, the Laboratoire de Précision has also developed flexible 'in-house' technologies.
The development of flexible technologies developed 'in-house' allows uninterrupted high-precision measurements under specific conditions, such as changing positions and temperatures. This means that the Laboratoire de Précision can go beyond current industry standards, by taking more accurate measurements during the 15-day chronometric tests. I tests will be extremely comprehensive and, above all, continuous throughout the entire 15 days, unlike the current method, which only takes precision measurements every 24 hours. At the Laboratoire de Précision, every 'beat' of the calibre is measured and evaluated, with a measurement accuracy ten times higher than the industry standard. The volume of data collected during testing, through industrial methods and big data analysis, will enable brands and movement manufacturers to understand the chronometric performance of their calibres in much greater depth.
For Omega, the creation of the Laboratoire de Précision represents a major step forward in terms of precision standards. For example, the recent precision milestone achieved through the adoption of Spirate technology, which not only provides excellent watchmaking performance, but also requires state-of-the-art technology in measuring systems. With access to in-depth data and fundamental technical details, Omega is now able to analyse and improve its gauges for the future. The Laboratoire de Précision will have two locations, both in Switzerland: one in Biel, and the other in Villeret, and together they will form a space of over 1000 m2 dedicated to chronometric testing.
