Observatory and COSC Testing.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by mamas

i also think that omega submitted movements of serial produvction.. omega where the only manufacturer to win 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in these observatory competitions in the same year.. 1952.. they released the geneve line which at that stage was considered the top of line omega as a celebration of this amazing feat. it is only later that they re released the geneve line as an entry line. Agin the constellation line has the observatory medalluion on the caseback in honour for the various records that omega had in the various obdservatory competitions.. I think that part of the reason that these competitions were disbanded was the financial turmioil that a lot of these swiss houses were in during this timeperiod.. many were on the brink of bankrupcy..including omega

Seiko first entered the competition,with watches from all over the world.Including most of the Swiss high end brands.For a much higher standard than the COSC,the Astronomical Observatory Authorisation Chronometer Standard.Out of many watches summited only two passed this test Seiko Grand just a production model, and Giraud Peregaux a specially build for the test model.And in the late 60s there were
only two companies, who could sell watches, passed astronomical observatory authorisation Chronometer in those days. ---Seiko and Giraud Peregaux.As the Japanese had dominated in the late 60s and the two preceding events, in 1972 some Swiss watch manufacturers demanded the end of the observatory competitions,and it was ended in 1973,thats when COSC was founded.