Vertalor Tourbillon
Announcement of the results of the 2015 International Chronometry Competition
Les Ateliers Louis Moinet and Tissot, the big winners of the 2015 International Chronometry Competition
After undergoing four months of unrelenting tests, and most of all without being returned to the watchmaker, the 33 watches tested under the 2015 edition of the International Chronometry Competition must face the stern judgement of the measurements, the sole ranking criterion. The results were announced on Thursday 22 October 2015 in Le Sentier, at the magnificent premises of EspaceHorloger.
Some reminders for this 4th edition of a biennial competition
Once the deadline of 31 January 2015 had passed, there were 46 pieces registered, a new record!
However, by the nominees ceremony of 26 June, just 28 watches had passed the first series of tests and remained to battle it out to win one of the prizes awarded by the Competition. The other pieces consisted of 3 anonymous submissions, non-nominated entries or entries that were not submitted at all.
There were 18 young watchmakers and 7 companies taking part. For the latter, their very participation represents a courageous mark of excellence, demonstrating the companies' commitment to the values upheld by the Competition: quality, precision and reliability. They are Chopard from Geneva, Dodane from Chatillon le Duc in France, Kerbedanz from Neuchâtel, Péquignet from Morteau in France, Les Ateliers Louis Moinet from Saint-Blaise, Sellita Watch from La Chaux-de-Fonds and Tissot from Le Locle.
The tests: requirements of the highest level
The watches entered in the Competition undergo four months of testing. They are subjected three times over to the chronometric certification tests, as defined by international standard ISO 3159. Between these measurements, they are subjected to severe attacks in the form of magnetic field and impact exposure. The tests are conducted in collaboration with the Swiss Chronometry Inspectorate (COSC), Besançon Observatory and Arc Advanced Engineering college (HE-Arc). These accredited institutions issue results derived from scientifically monitored and controlled procedures. Ultimately, the organisers receive them in the form of tables of anonymous data, corresponding to rate variations in seconds. These values leave no room for any subjectivity, or for cheating. They are fed into a formula specific to the Competition, which is used to calculate the number of points obtained. A perfect watch would obtain 1000 points. The jury, chaired by Professor Jean-Marc Triscone, Vice-Rector of the University of Geneva, checks the validity of the calculations.
Classic: Tissot Calibre A86.501 Fréquence 4Hz
Winners of previous editions
At the first edition in 2009, Jaeger-Lecoultre and René Addor won the "Brands and Manufacturers" and "Individuals" categories respectively.
In 2011, GreubelForsey won out in the "Tourbillon" category, and Tissot in the "Classic" category. None of the watches from the new category "Schools" passed the tests. .
Two years later, Tissot won the "Classic" category again, and Les Ateliers Leroy pocketed the first prize in "Tourbillons".
Results of the 2015 edition
As we have often reiterated, the requirements of the Competition tests are of an extremely high level. This has been demonstrated once again: of the 28 competing watches, only six passed all the tests and earned a ranking. The Competition only reveals the names of the first 3 in each category:
- Tourbillon: Les Ateliers Louis Moinet, from Saint-Blaise, won first prize with their calibre 8009. They obtained a total of 682 points. There was no 2nd or 3rd prize.
- Chronograph: Tissot SA, from Le Locle, won the first prize in this new category, with its calibre CO1.211. It obtained a total of 572 points. There was no 2nd or 3rd prize.
- Classic: For the 3rd consecutive year in this category, Tissot SA from Le Locle won the first prize, but also 2nd and 3rd prize. Its calibre A86.501 obtained an excellent mark of 908 points, while calibres C07.621 and C07.111 obtained 798 and 754 points respectively.
- Young watchmakers: No prize could be awarded in this category, since none of the watches passed the tests.
Note that the three watches submitted anonymously all passed the tests, and could have been right at the top of the ranking; indeed one of the pieces obtained 931 points, an absolute record in the history of the Competition.
The organisers would like to express their congratulations to the winners, of course, but also to all the companies and young people who had the courage to take part in this competition, and who contributed to conveying the values of excellence, quality, precision and reliability specific to watchmaking, and most particularly to mechanical watchmaking.
What about the 2017 edition?
With continuous growth since 2009, this 4th edition saw a fall in participation by watchmaking companies. "I am indeed disappointed at the small number of participants, and I hope that the causes can be found in the uncertain state of the watchmaking business since the beginning of the year. I dare not contemplate that the precision and reliability of the products might be merely brand advertising slogans, not based on actual measurable performances," commented Philippe Fischer, Chairman of the Competition, who also told us that he remained a firm believer in the merit of this competition.
So the 2017 edition will go ahead. Its launch is set for next May, with a few new points in the regulations. "There will be intense discussions over the coming months aimed at redefining the young watchmakers category, and regarding the unrestricted opening of the Competition to companies worldwide!" Philippe Fischer informed us.