MOVEMENT_GRADES - pp-watch

(*) Movement grades

🕰️ Watch Movement Grades

The terms Standard, Elaborated, Top, and Chronometer refer to the quality grades of mechanical watch movements – primarily found in ETA and Sellita calibers. These grades describe the level of finishing, materials used, accuracy, and regulation of the movement.

🔹 1. Standard Grade

Purpose: Robust and simple execution for entry-level watches.
Jewel Bearings: Basic rubies or brass bushings.
Balance Wheel: Nickel balance.
Regulation: Adjusted in 2 positions.
Accuracy: Around −12 to +30 seconds per day.
Finishing: Minimal or no decorative finishing.

Commonly used in affordable automatic watches.

🔹 2. Elaborated Grade (also "Elabore")

Purpose: Better-regulated movements for mid-range timepieces.
Jewel Bearings: Higher-grade synthetic rubies.
Balance Wheel: Nickel balance.
Regulation: Adjusted in 3 positions.
Accuracy: −7 to +20 seconds per day.
Finishing: Partial decoration (e.g. perlage, blued screws).

Often found in watches priced between €500–€1500.

🔹 3. Top Grade

Purpose: High-quality finishing for upper-tier watches.
Jewel Bearings: Polished jewel settings with fine finishing.
Balance Wheel: Glucydur balance (better thermal stability and anti-magnetic).
Regulation: Adjusted in 5 positions.
Accuracy: −4 to +15 seconds per day.
Finishing: Extensive decoration (e.g. Geneva stripes, blued screws).

Used by premium Swiss brands like Longines, Sinn, Mido, etc.

🔹 4. Chronometer Grade

Purpose: Highest precision, tested and certified according to COSC standards.
Certification: Yes – by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC).
Regulation: Adjusted in 5 positions.
Accuracy (COSC): −4 to +6 seconds per day.
Finishing: Very high-end, often accompanied by an individual chronometer certificate.

Only about 3% of Swiss movements meet the chronometer standard.

🔧 Important:

These grades primarily apply to ETA and Sellita movements.
Some brands like Rolex, Omega, and Seiko use their own quality control and grading systems.