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Louis Erard Unveils the Limited-Edition Gravée Main

Since 2021, Louis Erard has been redefining the boundaries of Métiers d’Art, from Grand Feu enamel and guilloché to wood marquetry, and soon, gold wire inlay. Now, Gravée Main opens a new chapter, paying tribute to one of the oldest crafts in watchmaking hand engraving.
Gravée Main represents a new milestone in Louis Erard’s Métiers d’Art series. This limited edition of 99 unique timepieces places hand engraving at center stage, with every metal element entirely engraved and finished by hand, a meticulous process that requires more than 50 hours of work. 

News Omega Announces the Laboratoire de Précision

The new Institute will be an independent organization, offering a new chronometer certification.

Omega has unveiled the establishment of the Laboratoire de Précision, with the aim of enhancing Chronometric Testing quality and raising watchmaking standards to new heights.

Similar to the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse Des Chronomètres), the new Laboratoire de Précision will have two facilities in Switzerland, one in Bienne and another in Villeret, providing a dedicated space exceeding 1000 m2 for testing.

Traditionally, after assembly, Swiss mechanical movements have undergone testing at COSC, which grants the prestigious "certified chronometer" title. Now, the Laboratoire de Précision, officially sanctioned by SAS (the Swiss Accreditation Service), will serve a similar function, conducting alternative and independent tests.

Operated by Omega, the Laboratoire de Précision maintains complete neutrality and independence, offering chronometric testing services to all watch brands and movement manufacturers.

The requirement for neutrality and integrity was integral to its accreditation as a "testing Laboratory according to ISO/IEC17025:2017" by the Swiss Accreditation Service, the sole body authorized to issue such approval in Switzerland.

This accreditation assures customers of the Laboratoire de Précision's commitment to reliable, independent, and impartial testing of watch movements, following the ISO 3159 standard for "chronometer" measurements.

In addition to standard equipment, the Laboratoire de Précision has developed proprietary technologies allowing for precise measurements under varied conditions, surpassing industry standards and providing continuous, comprehensive testing over the entire 15-day duration specified by ISO 3159.

Omega asserts that the Laboratoire de Précision's method enables significantly more accurate measurements, with every beat of the calibre meticulously assessed, offering measurement accuracy ten times higher than the norm.

The vast amount of data collected during tests, analyzed using industrial methods and big data techniques, facilitates a deeper understanding of chronometric performance for brands and manufacturers, ultimately contributing to overall improvement in chronometric excellence.

Furthermore, this initiative enables Omega to integrate chronometric testing seamlessly into its supply chain, leveraging the expertise within the Swatch Group to elevate its standards of excellence.

 

For more information, please visit SWATCH official website.


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