Chronometer vs Chronograph vs Cosmograph

[padi56]

Originally Posted by JJL

Rolex uses all of these, so for all you 'other' newbies out there like me - I had to look this up because it often confused me.
Here is a quick reference to the definition of each as found from the link at the bottom. Experts, please feel free to correct me this info is incorrect:


CHRONOMETER
A name that is given to only automatic or mechanical watches with the highest precision standards. These watches have passed rigorous testing of the Swiss Official Chronometer Control which consists of 15 days under various conditions like exposure to different temperatures, positions, water levels, etc...



Here is my source: http://www.allwatcheslog.com/other-w...or-cosmograph/

Now my question is, pronunciation.

I'm assuming CHRONO-GRAPH and COSMO-GRAPH are pronounced like the two words that make it up, but is CHRONOMETER, is that pronounced CHRONO-METER or CROW-NOMETER?

Today the Swiss COSC is little more that pure marketing and when tested only the bare uncased movement is tested.And in general most movements even some Chinese movements when carefully regulated could pass the COSC test.And certification is at the time of testing just so say its been tested and passed the test nothing more.It does not guarantee the movement will perform thought its life as it was first tested.There are many forms of chronometer certification now the European Din and the Japanese standard for mechanical chronometer watches is to a higher standard the Swiss COSC.And with the DIN and Japanese the movement is tested in its case which is much better, as a lot could happened to a bare movement on its journey back to Rolex then stored before finally case and shipped around the world for sale.


And before the Swiss COSC was formed as we all know it today, there were then the Observatory testing competitions to a much higher standard than todays watered down COSC test Now during the entire 23 years of testing, 5093 wristwatches were submitted for this certification, and only 3253 were passed, about 64%.Today the first time pass rate at the COSC is around 85-95% and most movements today are mass produced so in theory they should be all the same so quite easy to pass test.Now in those early days just a few manufacturers participated, and only Omega and Patek did so every year. The others were: Rolex, Zenith, Longines, Movado, Vacheron & Constantin, Ulysse Nardin, Cyma and Favre-Leuba, along with numerous independent professional watchmakers.Now that was until Seiko come on the scene and started to wipe the floor with the Swiss mechanical watch industry.Only 2 brand in the + 23 years of the competitions submitted movements of serial production for retail sale(Seiko and GP).All other brands were specially made movements just for the competition.and it was ended by the swiss in the early 1970s after two straight wins by the Japanese straight off the production line Seiko Grand,shortly after 1973 the Swiss COSC was formed as we know it today..

It is most important to remember that a "COSC certified chronometer" is not the Holy Grail of watchmaking. With the high quality of modern day robotised manufacturing, this test is not that important in reality. As today most decent modern watches from all countries even some from China like the Seagull movements, when adequately adjusted, should be able to match the performance specified by the Swiss COSC.

And chronometer certificate is not a guarantee of future accuracy only a certifaction of the bare uncased movement tested at the COSC at the time of testing. Rolex will try with re-regulation to keep movement to spec and regulate at normal 5-7 year service.But many watch movements that have been certified can get out of adjustment and perform quite poorly that's a simple fact of being mechanical. Movements that were not certified could still exceed the COSC standards with just simple regulation.Many of the manufacturers today may have simply chosen to bypass the expense of the certification process its quite expencive to test every single movement. And with all movements today no matter what the name of the hairspring shock system etc inside, accuracy is only as good as what its been regulated too its that simple.

The term "Superlative Chronometer" is a now trademark of Rolex, the addition of the word "Superlative" in front of the official designation of Chronometer is merely a Rolex marketing angle to give a more distinguished sound to the chronometer status of their products . As all watches that have earned the privilege of bearing the official Swiss designation of "Chronometer" have to meet the exact same C.O.S.C. standards for any movement of Rolex size. Any words added before or after the official designation of "Chronometer" are merely marketing.