December 2004 Timepieces/News Fleurier Quality Certification Ready to Test This third major Swiss certification is open to all manufacturers The Fleurier Quality Foundation is ready to test finished watches for a new high-quality certification. The foundation – a joint project of Chopard, Parmigiani Fleurier and Bovet Fleurier watch companies and Vaucher, a movement manufacturer – will test mechanical watches from any manufacturer. The certification aims to ensure consumers that watches with the certificate are tested for durability, high-quality movement and exclusive finishing on the movement, dial and case. This is the third major certification available to watch brands. Companies also can test movements for a chronometer rating at the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), and Geneva-based companies can apply for the Poinçon de Genève (Seal of Geneva). The foundation’s Technical Committee, which conducts the certification, is independent of participating brands and requires these conditions: The movement must be COSC-certified, the movement must have passed the group’s own “Chronofiable” test, the movement must attain an exclusive aesthetic quality of finish and the rating of the finished watch must be vouched for by the group’s Fleuritest machine. Tests require an annual fee plus a nominal charge per watch. When testing is complete and successful, a certificate is issued for each watch tested mentioning the numbers of its case and movement. The watch is then entitled to the certification FQF La Haute Horlogerie certifiée. – by Michael Thompson