The Qualité Fleurier is a foundation launched in 2004 and located in Fleurier, a watchmaking town in the Jura mountains of Switzerland. The foundation was initiated by local watchmaking companies: Bovet, Chopard, Parmigiani, and Vaucher.

The Fleurier Quality Foundation is supported by the Swiss federal government, the canton of Neuchâtel, the Val-de-Travers Regional Association, and the Philippe Jéquier Foundation (also known as the Fondation pour la Sauvegarde de la Tradition et du Patrimone Horlogers de Fleurier et du Val-de-Travers).

Chopard L.U.C Tourbillon QF Fairmined

Certification is open to any Swiss or European Union brand that meets its criteria, and its testing is conducted objectively under the supervision of a technical committee.

The stylish Fondation Qualité Fleurier headquarters in Fleurier

The ambitious task of Qualité Fleurier, which was the first qualitative horological certification for finished watches, is to unite several tests within one single certification.

Fondation Qualité Fleurier plaque marking the certification’s establishment

Qualité Fleurier certification may only be issued if the movement has also attained the following elements: 100 percent manufactured in Switzerland; C.O.S.C. certification; the Chronofiable test (another Swiss certification that basically tests that a watch will age gracefully); and finishing done according to haute horlogerie criteria.

Parmigiani Tonda 39 QF

And the finished watch must pass the Fleuritest, a local procedure that ensures that the watch’s rate is between 0 and +5 seconds’ deviation per day.

The Fleuritest machine, just part of the rigorous testing involved in obtaining Qualité Fleurier certification

It is important for the consumer to remember that in the modern age, most well-regulated standard movements will pass chronometer testing whether they possess a certificate or not.

However, in the day and age that we live in, luxury watch companies need to find a way to differentiate themselves from each other – and many use the C.O.S.C. chronometer certificate, in particular, to set themselves off from the competition.

The Bovet Rising Star is Qualité Fleurier certified

Very few watches are certified by Qualité Fleurier as its criteria are incredibly difficult and demanding to pass.

For more information, please visit www.fleurier-quality.com.

Quick Facts Bovet Amadeo Fleurier Rising Star
Case: 46 x 16.1 mm, 18-karat white gold; convertible case (turns into pocket watch)
Movement: manually wound Caliber 16BM01AI with one-minute tourbillon and 7-day power reserve, Qualité Fleurier certification (which contains C.O.S.C. certification), twin spring barrels, 3 Hz/21,600 vph frequency, 168-hour power reserve
Functions: hours, minutes; power reserve indication, triple time zones with world time and day/night indication
Limitation: 190 pieces + 9 pairs of unique pieces with miniature paintings
Price: $338,000

Further information: www.bovet.com/timepiece/fleurier-grandes-complications-rising-star.

Quick Facts Chopard L.U.C Tourbillon QF Fairmined
Case: 43 x 11.15 mm, 18-karat Fairmined gold
Movement: manually wound Caliber L.U.C. 02.13-L with one-minute tourbillon and 9-day power reserve, Qualité Fleurier certification (which contains C.O.S.C. certification)
Functions: hours, minutes; power reserve indication
Limitation: 25 pieces
Price: $144,570

Further information: www.quillandpad.com/2016/06/06/chopard-l-u-c-xps-tourbillon-qf-fairmined-gold-making-sustainable-difference.

Quick Facts Parmigiani Tonda 39 QF
Case: 39 x 8.85 mm, 18-karat pink or white gold
Movement: automatic Caliber PF331-QF, Qualité Fleurier certification (which contains C.O.S.C. certification), 4 Hz/28,800 vph frequency, 55-hour power reserve
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; date
Limitation: 50 pieces in each metal
Price: $19,500
Remark: Hermès strap

For more information, please visit www.parmigiani.com/en/watch/tonda/39-qf.

You may also enjoy:

Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter One: Design Intent Uncompromised

Point Of Reference: The Standards Of The Geneva Seal

Chopard L.U.C XPS And Tourbillon QF In Fairmined Gold: Making A Sustainable Difference

Equus Forma Mechanica: The Parmigiani Fleurier Hippologia