Fleurier Quality Foundation

The Fleurier Quality Foundation* is another independent body to which Chopard Manufacture resorts in order to test the quality of its watches. This certification is the most difficult to obtain. The procedure is even more comprehensive in that, in addition to submitting the movements to the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) in order to guarantee precision, the luxury watches are tested as a whole in order to appraise their overall quality.

A brief history of the FQF

Created on 5 June 2001, the Fleurier Quality Foundation stems from a joint project undertaken by the Chopard, Parmigiani Fleurier and Bovet Fleurier brands, as well as the Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, to establish new esthetic and technical criteria dedicated to the certification of finished luxury watches.

The validation criteria

1.
100% manufactured in Switzerland

All Chopard luxury watches are 100% Swiss made. This makes meeting the stringent "Manufactured 100% in Switzerland" requirements which relate exclusively to the watch head (the bracelet and clasp are excluded) a mere formality for Chopard. The various stages of the assembly after the final transformation of the materials, pre-fitting, fitting, fitting the escapement, adjusting, finishing, assembly, casing-up and final controls must be carried out in Switzerland. It is an onerous process in that the FQF requires the supplier to provide proof of the Swiss production of each and every component.

2.
Chronometer-certified by the COSC

The movements are submitted to the entire series of tests in accordance with the ISO 3159 norm. All the movements submitted for Fleurier Quality certification must have passed the tests of the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). Over a period of 15 days, the precision of mechanical watch movements is measured in five positions and at three different temperatures (8°C, 23°C and 38°C). Whatever these conditions, the movements must maintain precision ranging between -4 and +6 seconds per day for calibres measuring more than 20 mm in diameter, and between -5 and +8 seconds for smaller calibres.

3.
The chronofiable test

The Chronofiable test includes several steps, namely: an aging cycle, test cycles designed to measure the pull-and-push forces on the stem, test cycles designed to measure the forces exerted on the push buttons (chronograph controls, correctors, and so on), bezel-turning tests, tests on reactions to magnetic fields, shock-resistance tests using a heavy pendulum or striker (except on delicate complications), and a water-resistance test.

retrospective

Discover all our L.U.C.Fleurier Quality Foundation-certtified Swiss watches through time.

4.
Exclusive aesthetic quality finishing

Specifications define the level of finish required for the movement and its decoration. The luxury watch must also comply with the numerous specific technical and esthetic criteria contained in the technical regulations of the Fleurier Quality Foundation (involving the choice of materials, of decorative techniques, and of finishes).

Metal, traditional ceramics, precious or avant-garde materials must be used. The use of plastic materials is prohibited.

5.
The Fleuritest machine

Finally, the rate of the finished watch must be tested on the Fleuritest machine, which replicates the conditions implied by 24 hours of wear in the most realistic possible way, and checks that the variation in rate falls within 0 and +5 seconds per day.

*As an autonomous and independent structure, it draws its legitimacy from the active participation of public authorities, including the Swiss Federal Government (SECO), the Canton of Neuchâtel, the Municipality of Val-de-Travers, the Val-de-Travers Regional Association, and the Philippe Jéquier Foundation.

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