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CHRONOFIABLE CERTIFICATION by Laboratoire Dubois

Developed and carried out by Laboratoire Dubois in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, the Chronofiable certification is a rigorous testing protocol designed to assess the durability and reliability of watches under accelerated wear conditions.

History

Founded in 1948 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Laboratoire Dubois has established itself as an independent institution specializing in testing and research for the watchmaking industry. Its mission was to guarantee the quality and reliability of Swiss watches through scientific methods. In response to the growing demand for durable and reliable watches, Laboratoire Dubois introduced the Chronofiable protocol in the 1970s. This process is designed to simulate long-term wear and environmental stresses on watches within a reduced timeframe.

Criteria for Chronofiable certification

To obtain Chronofiable certification, a watch or movement must pass a series of rigorous tests simulating the stresses of extended use. The criteria include:

1. Accelerated wear test

The watches undergo a series of mechanical cycles simulating six months to three years of use. The tests include winding, Regulation / Adjustment, and the operation of the Movement under normal and extreme conditions.

2. Shock resistance

The watch is subjected to shocks of varying intensities, replicating the accidental impacts that can occur in daily use.

3. Temperature and humidity

Performance is tested across a wide Temperature range (from -10°C to 60°C) and under various humidity levels, typically reaching up to 85% relative humidity, to ensure reliable operation in varied environments.

4. Resistance to vibrations and magnetism

The watches are exposed to vibrations and magnetic fields in order to assess their ability to withstand these disruptive forces.

5. Long-duration functional test

The Movement is continuously run for several weeks, simulating prolonged use and allowing potential weaknesses in the mechanism to be identified.

6. Visual inspection

After the mechanical tests, the watch is inspected for any external damage, ensuring that the Materials and finishes withstand wear without significant degradation.

Individual components, such as cases, straps and movements, are also tested for their mechanical strength, corrosion resistance and material fatigue. The Dubois Laboratory collaborates with watchmaking brands and takes part in research and development (R&D) activities to improve testing protocols and develop innovative solutions to durability challenges.

Additional services

In addition to Chronofiable, the laboratory offers complementary testing services to meet the requirements of other certification standards, such as COSC and FQF.