Geneva Seal Criteria

by Michael Sandler

As you all probably know...Patek Philippe and a few other brands are very proud to state that their watches contain the Geneva Seal. In case you were wondering, the following 12 conditions must be met in order for a watch to contain the seal:

GENEVA SEAL CRITERION NUMBER ONE (A)

The workmanship of all the caliber's components, including those of additional mechanisms, must meet the requirements of the office for optional inspection of Geneva watches.

GENEVA SEAL CRITERION NUMBER ONE (B)

Steel parts must have polished angles and their visible surfaces smoothed down. Screw heads have to be polished, with their slots and rims chamfered.

GENEVA SEAL CRITERION NUMBER TWO

All movements must be provided on the train and escapement with ruby jewels having polished holes. On the bridge side, the jewels must be half frosted with polished sinks. The end stone for the center wheel on the base plate is not required.

GENEVA SEAL CRITERION NUMBER THREE

The balance spring should be pinned up in a grooved plate with a stud having a rounded collar and cap. Mobile studs are allowed.

GENEVA SEAL CRITERION NUMBER FOUR

Split or fitted indexes are allowed with a holding system except in extra-thin calibers where the holding system is not required.

GENEVA SEAL CRITERION NUMBER FIVE

Regulating systems (balances) with variable radius of gyration are allowed provided they comply with criteria ONE (A) and ONE (B).

GENEVA SEAL CRITERION NUMBER SIX

The wheels of the going train have to be chamfered above an below and have a polished sink. In wheels 0.15mm thick or less, a single chamfer is allowed on the bridge side.

GENEVA SEAL CRITERION NUMBER SEVEN

In wheel assemblies, the pivot shanks and the faces of the pinion leaves have to be polished.

GENEVA SEAL CRITERION NUMBER EIGHT

The escape wheel has to be light, not more than 0.16mm thick in large calibers and 0.13mm in calibers under 18mm, and its locking-faces have to be polished.

GENEVA SEAL CRITERION NUMBER NINE

The angle traversed by the lever is to be limited by fixed banking walls to the exclusion of pins or studs.