Geneva seal
Encyclopedia
The Geneva Seal Poinçon de Genève (French), or Genfer Siegel (German) is the official seal of the City and Canton of Geneva
, Switzerland
. When a variation of the official seal is applied to wrist watch movements, the Geneva Seal is the quality seal of the Geneva School of Horology and it has an official purpose as defined by the law.
The term is often mistakenly translated from the French as the "Geneva hallmark", as the word poinçon means "punch" and is the word used for hallmark. However, a hallmark
is an official mark attesting to the fineness of a precious metal object. In this context the German translation of hallmark, which is "stempel" or "stamp" may be helpful to foster an understanding of and distinguish the terms. The motif of the Geneva Seal is the seal
of the Canton of Geneva
. This becomes evident when one translates its name from the German. As the reader may recall the official languages of Switzerland are German, French, Italian and Romantch (used in that order).
But this issue about the translation is still a matter of debate because
the term used by Timelab is the "Hallmark of Geneva". (Timelab is an organization which is composed of a centre for certifications(Hallmark of Geneva, COSC, Sport time-keeping) and a centre for Research and Development.)
The Geneva seal in horology
(watches), is a certification reserved for wrist watch movements made in the City or Canton of Geneva. Although it is concerned mainly with the finishing and decoration of the watch movement, it is considered a high accolade in the industry. Precision testing, though not mandatory, is an option in the inspection process.
, however, is an option in the inspection process. Among the Geneva watchmakers who regularly submit their movements for the Geneva Seal certification are: Roger Dubuis, Patek Philippe and Vacheron & Constantin.
This quality seal has been authorized since the enactment of the enabling regulation in 1886. Pursuant to the law only watches may carry the seal. The seal is concerned with the quality and finishing of the watch movement, however, it does not address the precision of the timekeeping mechanism. The seal is awarded to watches only after an "official examination" to discern whether the watch movement possesses all the required characteristics required for the accolade. The characteristics require, at a minimum, that the watch was made in or made on commission by a qualified Genevoise craftsman from the City or Canton of Geneva.
A somewhat similar certification the Qualité Fleurier or Fleurier Quality which was begun on June 5, 2001,includes precision testing. Participants in this certification process include: Bovet Fleurier
, Chopard
Manufacture, Parmigiani Fleurier
and Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. See also Wikipedia entry for Qualité Fleurier (French language text).
It established, in the canton of Geneva, an office for the voluntary inspection of the watches from Geneva at the School of Horology to examine and mark watch movements. In general, the watches may be marked if following an examination, they are recognized to have all qualities of good workmanship likely to ensure a uniform rate and durability and whose work, at a minimum was done on commission by workmen living the canton of Geneva.
The actual regulations, requirements or criteria are contained in another piece of legislation. These regulation contain the 12 criteria required for a movement to obtain the seal. In the text of the regulation, dated December 22, 1993, effective January 6, 1994, the requirements or specifications are set forth. Only mechanical watch works which were assembled and regulated in the city or canton of Geneva may be submitted; the manufacturer must certify this fact. There are twelve (12) criteria for the quality of all components and their finishing.
The workmanship of all of the movement's components, including those of complications must meet the requirements of the office of optional inspection. Only upon fulfillment of all the criteria may the watch receive the seal.
Rules on the Voluntary Inspection of Watches from Geneva
The COUNCIL of STATE of the Republic and canton of Geneva, considering the law of November 6, 1886, instituting in the canton an office of voluntary control of the watches from Geneva; considering its regulation of this day concerning the organization of the office of voluntary control of the watches of Geneva, decrees:
2 It is required that the assembly and adjustment are carried out in the canton of Geneva. The guarantee of work carried out is attested by a signed form by the submitter or manufacturers. This form must accompany the movements presented for inspection.
3 movements carrying the punch of Geneva must be numbered.
Jewelling
2 The entire movement must jeweled with ruby jewels set in polished holes, including the going train and escape wheel. On the bridge side, the jewels must be olive-drilled with polished sinks. The jewel of the center wheel on the main plate is not required.
Regulating Systems
3 The hairspring should be pinned in a grooved plate with a stud having a rounded collar and cap. Mobile studs are permitted.
4 Split or fitted indexes are allowed with a holding system except in extra-thin calibers where the holding system is not required.
5 regulating systems with balance with radius of variable gyration are allowed insofar as they meet the conditions of article 3, subparagraph 1.
Wheels
6 The wheels of the going train must be chamfered above and below and have a polished sink. In wheels 0.15 mm thick or less, a single chamfer is allowed on the bridge side.
7 In wheel assemblies, the pivot shanks and the faces of the pinion leaves must be polished.
Escapement
8 The escape wheel has to be light, not more than 0.16 mm thick in large calibers and 0.13 mm in calibers under 18 mm, and its locking-faces must be polished.
9 The angle traversed by the pallet lever is to be limited by fixed banking walls and not pins or studs.
Shock Protection
10 shock protected movements are accepted.
Winding Mechanism
11 the ratchet and crown wheels must be finished in accordance with registered patterns.
Springs
12 wire springs are not allowed.
2 By exception, it can be affixed on a finished movement.
2 criteria of obtaining a rate bulletin are defined according to the NIHS standard 95-11 ( a/k/a ISO 3159) for chronometers.
3 These bulletins are obtained through the Geneva office of COSC.
and at least one of the major operations in fabrication, either assembly of the movement or insertion of the movement into the case, must have been performed in the canton of Genève so that at least 50% of the total cost of production incurred there.
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. When a variation of the official seal is applied to wrist watch movements, the Geneva Seal is the quality seal of the Geneva School of Horology and it has an official purpose as defined by the law.
The term is often mistakenly translated from the French as the "Geneva hallmark", as the word poinçon means "punch" and is the word used for hallmark. However, a hallmark
Hallmark
A hallmark is an official mark or series of marks struck on items made of precious metals — platinum, gold, silver and in some nations, palladium...
is an official mark attesting to the fineness of a precious metal object. In this context the German translation of hallmark, which is "stempel" or "stamp" may be helpful to foster an understanding of and distinguish the terms. The motif of the Geneva Seal is the seal
Seal (device)
A seal can be a figure impressed in wax, clay, or some other medium, or embossed on paper, with the purpose of authenticating a document ; but the term can also mean the device for making such impressions, being essentially a mould with the mirror image of the design carved in sunken- relief or...
of the Canton of Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
. This becomes evident when one translates its name from the German. As the reader may recall the official languages of Switzerland are German, French, Italian and Romantch (used in that order).
But this issue about the translation is still a matter of debate because
the term used by Timelab is the "Hallmark of Geneva". (Timelab is an organization which is composed of a centre for certifications(Hallmark of Geneva, COSC, Sport time-keeping) and a centre for Research and Development.)
The Geneva seal in horology
Horology
Horology is the art or science of measuring time. Clocks, watches, clockwork, sundials, clepsydras, timers, time recorders and marine chronometers are all examples of instruments used to measure time.People interested in horology are called horologists...
(watches), is a certification reserved for wrist watch movements made in the City or Canton of Geneva. Although it is concerned mainly with the finishing and decoration of the watch movement, it is considered a high accolade in the industry. Precision testing, though not mandatory, is an option in the inspection process.
General overview of the Geneva Seal
The Geneva Seal is the quality seal of the City and Canton of Geneva. It is a certification reserved for wrist watch movements made in the City or Canton of Geneva. Although it is concerned mainly with the finishing and decoration of the watch movement, it is considered a high accolade in the industry. Precision testingCOSC
COSC aka C.O.S.C. is Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, which is the institute responsible for certifying the accuracy and precision of wristwatches in Switzerland.-Background:...
, however, is an option in the inspection process. Among the Geneva watchmakers who regularly submit their movements for the Geneva Seal certification are: Roger Dubuis, Patek Philippe and Vacheron & Constantin.
This quality seal has been authorized since the enactment of the enabling regulation in 1886. Pursuant to the law only watches may carry the seal. The seal is concerned with the quality and finishing of the watch movement, however, it does not address the precision of the timekeeping mechanism. The seal is awarded to watches only after an "official examination" to discern whether the watch movement possesses all the required characteristics required for the accolade. The characteristics require, at a minimum, that the watch was made in or made on commission by a qualified Genevoise craftsman from the City or Canton of Geneva.
A somewhat similar certification the Qualité Fleurier or Fleurier Quality which was begun on June 5, 2001,includes precision testing. Participants in this certification process include: Bovet Fleurier
Bovet Fleurier
Bovet Fleurier SA is a Swiss brand of luxury watchmakers chartered May 1, 1822 in London, U.K. by Edouard Bovet. It is most famous for its pocket watches manufactured for the Chinese market in the 19th century...
, Chopard
Chopard
Chopard is a Swiss based luxury watch, jewelry, and accessories company founded in 1860 by Louis-Ulysse Chopard at the age of 24. Chopard initially concentrated on developing precise pocket watches and chronometers based upon innovative ideas...
Manufacture, Parmigiani Fleurier
Parmigiani Fleurier
Parmigiani Fleurier SA is a Swiss brand of luxury watchmakers founded in 1976 in Fleurier, Switzerland by Michel Parmigiani. In 2006, Parmigiani produced the Bugatti 370, a driving watch based on the Bugatti Veyron supercar, which won the 2006 "Watch of the Year Award" from the Japanese...
and Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. See also Wikipedia entry for Qualité Fleurier (French language text).
The enabling statute
There are actually two pieces of legislation concerning the Geneva seal. The first is entitled Loi sur le contrôle facultatif des montres (law on the voluntary inspection of watches [from Geneva]). This is the enabling statute.The specific regulations
The second piece of legislation is entitled Règlement sur le contrôle facultatif des montres de Genève (Regulations for the Voluntary Inspection of Watches from Geneva); these are the regulations setting out the criteria for the award of the seal. This laws have undergone revisions since their initial enactments. The latest revisions were in January 1994.The Office of Inspection at the School of Watchmaking
The methodology of the voluntary inspection requires that the watches are submitted to the Geneva Watchmaking School. The "Office for the Voluntary Inspection of Watches from Geneva" has, as a matter of law, been located at the school since the inception of the seal.Background of the inspectors
In order to avoid the appearance of impropriety the inspectors must be Swiss citizens, must take an oath to discharge the duties of their office with fidelity and must not have any conflicts of interest, i.e.: they must not trade in watches. These obligations on the inspectors serve to warrant the proper conduct of the inspections and the awarding of the seals.The key points of the enabling statute
The original enabling statute, Loi sur le contrôle facultatif des montres (Law on the Voluntary Control of Watches), was enacted on November 6, 1886, and was amended on May 27, 1891, November 15, 1958, and December 9, 1959.It established, in the canton of Geneva, an office for the voluntary inspection of the watches from Geneva at the School of Horology to examine and mark watch movements. In general, the watches may be marked if following an examination, they are recognized to have all qualities of good workmanship likely to ensure a uniform rate and durability and whose work, at a minimum was done on commission by workmen living the canton of Geneva.
The actual regulations, requirements or criteria are contained in another piece of legislation. These regulation contain the 12 criteria required for a movement to obtain the seal. In the text of the regulation, dated December 22, 1993, effective January 6, 1994, the requirements or specifications are set forth. Only mechanical watch works which were assembled and regulated in the city or canton of Geneva may be submitted; the manufacturer must certify this fact. There are twelve (12) criteria for the quality of all components and their finishing.
The workmanship of all of the movement's components, including those of complications must meet the requirements of the office of optional inspection. Only upon fulfillment of all the criteria may the watch receive the seal.
The translated text of the Specific Regulations for Geneva Seal Watch Movements
December 22, 1993 (effective January 6, 1994)Rules on the Voluntary Inspection of Watches from Geneva
The COUNCIL of STATE of the Republic and canton of Geneva, considering the law of November 6, 1886, instituting in the canton an office of voluntary control of the watches from Geneva; considering its regulation of this day concerning the organization of the office of voluntary control of the watches of Geneva, decrees:
Art. 1 Admission requirements
1 The mechanical movements of watches constructed in accordance with the best practices of the watch industry and whose construction is in conformity with the directions given to the controller to set the minimum level required for good workmanship are punched.2 It is required that the assembly and adjustment are carried out in the canton of Geneva. The guarantee of work carried out is attested by a signed form by the submitter or manufacturers. This form must accompany the movements presented for inspection.
3 movements carrying the punch of Geneva must be numbered.
Art. 2 Doubtful Cases
The superintendents assist the inspector in the case of dubious watches presented for inspectionArt. 3 Technical Requirements
1 the good workmanship of all the parts of the caliber, including those of the additional mechanisms, must be in conformity with the requirements of the office of voluntary inspection of the watches from Geneva. Steel parts must have polished angles and their visible surfaces smoothed down. Screw heads must be polished, with their slots and rims chamfered.Jewelling
2 The entire movement must jeweled with ruby jewels set in polished holes, including the going train and escape wheel. On the bridge side, the jewels must be olive-drilled with polished sinks. The jewel of the center wheel on the main plate is not required.
Regulating Systems
3 The hairspring should be pinned in a grooved plate with a stud having a rounded collar and cap. Mobile studs are permitted.
4 Split or fitted indexes are allowed with a holding system except in extra-thin calibers where the holding system is not required.
5 regulating systems with balance with radius of variable gyration are allowed insofar as they meet the conditions of article 3, subparagraph 1.
Wheels
6 The wheels of the going train must be chamfered above and below and have a polished sink. In wheels 0.15 mm thick or less, a single chamfer is allowed on the bridge side.
7 In wheel assemblies, the pivot shanks and the faces of the pinion leaves must be polished.
Escapement
8 The escape wheel has to be light, not more than 0.16 mm thick in large calibers and 0.13 mm in calibers under 18 mm, and its locking-faces must be polished.
9 The angle traversed by the pallet lever is to be limited by fixed banking walls and not pins or studs.
Shock Protection
10 shock protected movements are accepted.
Winding Mechanism
11 the ratchet and crown wheels must be finished in accordance with registered patterns.
Springs
12 wire springs are not allowed.
Art. 4 Personnel in charge of inspection
The controller and his agents are only in charge of punching. They must comply to the decisions of the oversight commission.Art. 5 Punching
1 the punch is affixed on the mainplate and one of the bridges, except if that is a technical impossibility. The site can vary according to the caliber.2 By exception, it can be affixed on a finished movement.
Art. 6 Requirements for obtaining a rate bulletin
1 At the request of the manufacturer, a rate bulletin can be obtained in complement to the Geneva seal.2 criteria of obtaining a rate bulletin are defined according to the NIHS standard 95-11 ( a/k/a ISO 3159) for chronometers.
3 These bulletins are obtained through the Geneva office of COSC.
Art. 7 Chronometers
The watches having successfully undergone the rate tests can claim the title chronometer.Art. 8 Rescinding Clause
The regulations on the voluntary inspection of watches from Geneva, of April 5, 1957, is repealed.The name Geneva on watch dials
Apart from the Geneva Seal, some watches carry the name "Geneva' or "Genève" on their dials. The use of the name Geneva on a watch dial is governed by the "Bureau de contrôle des Montres de Genève." To wear this badge, a watch must be a Swiss watchSwiss Made
Swiss Made is a label used to indicate that a product was made in Switzerland.-Overview:The wording was formally adopted in the late 19th century and is unique in that most other countries use the phrase "Made in ". The most obvious place where the label is found is on Swiss watches...
and at least one of the major operations in fabrication, either assembly of the movement or insertion of the movement into the case, must have been performed in the canton of Genève so that at least 50% of the total cost of production incurred there.