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New Metas certification

Last December, Omega announced the creation of a new certification introduced in collaboration with Metas, the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology.

In 2013, the Bienne based brand launched a mechanical movement capable of withstanding a magnetic field in excess of 15,000 gauss. This calibre was developed in the wake of many findings, not least the growing number of magnets in everyday life and the multiplication of surrounding magnetic fields. In collaboration with Swatch Group partner firms (Asulab, Nivarox-Far, ETA) Omega therefore developed a calibre in which the arbors and pivots of the regulating organ are manufactured from Nivagauss, and the plates of the Co-Axial escapement are produced using LIGA technology. In addition, the shock absorber springs are manufactured with an amorphous material. The latter are highly innovative in that they are non-magnetic and ultra-strong.

To certify this movement, Omega decided to create a new quality standard for the watch industry. To this end it approached Metas, the federal institution which establishes and disseminates coordinated units of measurement recognised at an international level. It also supervises the use of measuring instruments in the fields of commerce, traffic, public safety, health and the environment.

From 2015, Omega timepieces will gradually be equipped with the new non-magnetic movements and will undergo Metas certification. The latter will test the following functions:

  • the operation of each movement exposed to magnetic fields in excess of 15,000 gauss,
  • the operation of each watch exposed to magnetic fields in excess of 15,000 gauss,
  • the mean daily accuracy (in various positions and at different temperatures) between 0 and +5 seconds/day, before and after exposure to magnetic fields in excess of 15,000 gauss,
  • the power-reserve, specified in hours according to watch model,
  • water-resistance in bar, specified according to watch model.

Each watch satisfying these criteria will be awarded Metas certification and display on its dial: «Officially Certified». However this label is not reserved exclusively for the Bienne manufacturer but is open to the watchmaking sector as a whole.

Based in Berne and with a 200-strong workforce, Metas will be installing its workshops in the year ahead in Omega buildings currently under construction, with a view to providing the new certification.

January 22, 2015