Ever Wonder About The Geneva Seal? Well So Did I, And Here Is Everything I Found Out!

When someone buys a watch they are buying something with style, heritage, passion and a multitude of other things including quality. While looking at the quality we look at the craftsmen that built them and the brands that make them, and of course where they’re from. When we think of luxury timepieces Switzerland is the place that comes to mind and with that is Geneva.

While advertising and the average consumer may focus on the style, and not the inner workings of such a crafted machine, as true watch nerds that is something that takes up a large chunk of our attention, and with that comes Geneva and The Geneva Seal.

As a watch consumer we see the Geneve print on most dials and of course we associate it with Switzerland but of course, there is always more than what meets the eye. The Geneva seal is a respected and historic symbol in horology. As the watch archaeologist, I am going to dive deep into what makes the seal and what a watch has to do to earn it.

The Geneva Seal was proposed on November 6, 1886, by the Grand Council of the Republic and Canton of Geneva as a way to certify a level of quality for which the canton was becoming known. The purpose was a part to ensure and stiffen the misuse of the Geneva name and make sure when it's used it provide the origin and quality of the watch and to encourage talented watchmakers to stay in Geneva.

To receive the seal, the watch movement must meet a total of 12 things relating to the quality of its finishing and materials. The certificate is only awarded to timepieces that meet all of the 12 criteria. This gives the consumer the guarantee the watch is of top-quality craftsmanship chronometrically precise. The finished watch is also tested for water resistance, power reserve and more.

Earning the Poincon de Geneve is no easy feat, as each and every part of the watch must be finely decorated and finished with flawless perfection. Only a small number of brands submit their watches for the Geneva Seal. Since September 2013, any watch issues the Geneva Seal Receives a unique key or code that a purchaser can use to check the authenticity of the certification.

The 12 Criteria according to Wikipedia

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 [7][clarification needed]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.