Marcus Hanke
[PuristSPro Moderator]
11296
Today, COSC certificate is but a marketing argument ...
The issue has been discussed several times, here in the UN forum, but also in WatchRap. While it might be too harsh to state that the current COSC testing procedure has no importance at all, it can be justly assumed that in the world of high-end watchmaking, its indication for factual performance has been reduced to a mere symbol. The fact that only the movements are tested, that movements with small second indicators have to be rebuilt to a central second (the automated camera-based measuring systems at COSC cannot deal with small seconds), and that the tested movements are shipped back to the facgtory, rebuilt to standard configuration and finally encased, makes it obvious even for a layman as I am that too many things can happen to the movement after the testing. As a consequence, its performance must be affected.
Therefore, all good manufacturers introduced their own testing standards, with the fully completed watch.
Since Ulysse Nardin has such a long tradition as chronometer manufacturer, it makes sense to deliver specific watches, such as the Marine Chronometers, with a COSC certificate. Additionally, UN has established a practice to submit many of its limited editions to COSC as well. This has been the case with the Ulysse 1, the Michelangelo, and also with the GMT Perpetual (and the Marine Perpetual).
So they certainly had no intention to save money, but they stuck to their established practice.
Best regards,
Marcus