News Last year, the Contrôle officiel suisse des chronomètres (COSC) issued 1,271,934 certificates, or 1.3% more than in 2001. With 1,229,666 pieces, mechanical chronometers continued their upward trend (+2.6%, against +25.9% the previous year), while quartz chronometers saw the number of their certificates fall for the second successive year, to 42,268 pieces (-26.4%, -13.0% in 2001). It should be noted that this twofold decline in quartz pieces is not representative of changes in the market place, but reflects the entry into force of new inspection regulations in 2001. The number of pieces filed for registration increased by 0.5% last year, to 1,315,752 units (1,254,248 mechanical and 61,504 quartz).
In terms of manufacturers, the leading trio of 2001 remains in place, in the same order: Rolex (814,720 certificates), Omega (165,543) and Breitling (131,815). Next come Panerai (39,016), TAG Heuer (20,207), Baume & Mercier (15,504), Bulgari (11,141), Corum (8,005), Chopard (7,684), Tissot (6,221), Chanel (5,423), Mido (4,783), Tiffany (4,698), Zenith (4,676), Ulysse Nardin (4,671), Ball Watch Co New York (4,617), Eterna (3,316), Ikepod (3,246), Vacheron Constantin (2,825), Ebel (2,437) and Arnold & Son (1,739). The remaining applicants accounted for fewer than 1000 certificates.
July 03, 2003