Chronofiable® ageing tests

Developed in the late 1970s by the Reliability Test Centre of the Swiss Watchmaking Industry Federation (FH), the  Chronofiable® accelerated ageing cycle for watch movements simulates the effects of wearing.

The Chronofiable® accelerated ageing procedure is commonly applied in determining the reliability rate of a timepiece. Nowadays this test procedure is often aimed at approving new products and at detecting defects appearing with the watch has been worn on the wrist. In general, the batch size is between 5 and 40 cased movements, with dial and hands.

STAGES OF THE CHRONOFIABLE® AGEING CYCLE

(mechanical and quartz movements)

Initial functions, rate and amplitude test, plus a temperatures test (0°C, 50°C); power reserve, winding rate (automatic movements).

Ageing cycle involving indirect shocks, as well as temperature and humidity variations.

Acceleration factor8
Duration 21 days (simulating the effects of 6 months)
Impacts20,000 impacts, between 250 and 5500 m/s2
Heat stresses15°C, 30°C, 55°C

Final functions, rate and amplitude test, plus a temperatures test (0°C, 50°C); power reserve, winding rate (automatic movements).

Note: 9.81 m/s2 = 1gn

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  • Accreditation N° 0104