Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie

Other distinctive signs

• Swiss Made
• Swiss Official Chronometer Certification
• Geneva Quality Hallmark
• Chronofiable
• Fleurier Quality Foundation certification

Geneva Quality Hallmark

The Poinçon de Genève or Geneva Quality Hallmark

The Geneva Quality Hallmark is considered as the supreme symbol of the finest standards in watchmaking. It complies with very strict technical and aesthetic rules. It is applied only to mechanical watch movements assembled in Geneva and remains the exclusive preserve of a handful of fine watchmaking brands.

Created by the State of Geneva in 1886, the Geneva Quality Hallmark rewards the movements of watches that comply with the highest standards of quality. Its rules have been slightly modified during the course of the 20th century, but this honour remains the supreme symbol of quality and fine craftsmanship for a mechanical movement. The first condition requires that the movement be assembled and regulated in the canton of Geneva by a manufacturer established in that canton. The other twelve criteria contain very precise specifications regarding the parts of the movement (including the additional mechanisms), the construction, the materials, the finishing etc. As an example, the rules particularly stipulate that “on the side of the bridge, the stones must be semi-smooth and the sinks are to be polished” or that “the length of the angle travelled by the pallets must be the distance between two fixed banking-pins, without the use of pins or studs.” Compliance with these “very precise” criteria is overseen by a commission that comes under the control of the Technical Watchmaking School of Geneva. The Geneva Quality Hallmark consists of the official coat of arms of the canton engraved on the movement. A token of prestige and excellence, it is the privilege of a very small number of fine watchmaking manufacturers. It differs from the chronometer certificate given by the COSC in that the Geneva Quality Hallmark is not based on the working characteristics of the movement. It is not to be confused with the word “Geneva” inscribed on the dial, which is protected and indicates origin, and is also very coveted.