COSC’s Excellence Chronometer is an additional certification tier, not a replacement for its existing Certified Chronometer standard. It keeps the 15-day test of the movement and adds five days of testing after the movement has been cased, including simulated wear, magnetic exposure and a check of the watch’s stated power reserve.
What is the COSC Excellence Chronometer standard?
Excellence extends COSC’s existing chronometer certification to the finished watch. COSC first tests the movement for 15 days against the seven criteria of ISO 3159. A movement that passes goes back to its manufacturer for casing; the completed watch then faces five additional days of evaluation. The sequence totals 20 days.
The distinction matters: traditional COSC certification evaluates the movement before it is installed in a watch, while Excellence adds checks on the cased watch. COSC described the tier as a way to challenge brands to reach higher standards. In a February 12, 2026, interview with Worldtempus, COSC President Sebastien Cretegny said, “The current standard is already challenging enough, and with the new standard called COSC Excellence Chronometer, we are trying to positively challenge the brands in reaching higher standards.”
How is Excellence different from regular COSC certification?
| Standard | What COSC evaluates | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Chronometer | The movement, tested against the seven ISO 3159 criteria | 15 days |
| Excellence Chronometer | The same 15-day movement test, followed by evaluation of the cased watch | 20 days total: 15 for the movement and five for the finished watch |
The new tier adds to the existing certification; it does not make the earlier standard obsolete. COSC’s 2025 general terms describe its existing framework as covering eligible Swiss timepieces subject to Swiss-made and trademark conditions. Those terms provide context for the established certification, not the complete rules for the new Excellence tier.
#1 Best Overall
- Large Display --- Large and clear digit display, easy to read.
- Split Function --- Split Function can time single & split events, freezing the split-time display while total time continues; Time-Out Function has separate start/stop & reset buttons.
- Stopwatch for Coaches --- Includes 47" lanyard (neck strap), Light weight, small in volume, geat handheld, easy to carry, It is a good equipment for coaches referee to make practice like swimming running rugby basketball football and soccer etc.
- Multi-functions Stopwatch --- The stopwatch can show calendar and clock, hour, minute, second, week, month, day, selectable 12/24 hour.
- Precise Stopwatch --- PULIVIA this stopwatch is with high-precision, 1/100th second accuracy; One timing maximum up to 99 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds.
What does the new COSC test check?
COSC’s published sequence for the five-day finished-watch evaluation includes these checks:
- Simulated wear: A robot simulates 24 hours of average real-life wear in semi-dynamic conditions.
- Rate deviation: After the simulated-wear phase, the watch must meet a rate deviation of -2 to +4 seconds per day.
- Magnetic exposure: The watch is exposed to a 200 Gauss magnetic field.
- Power reserve: COSC checks the power reserve against the figure announced by the manufacturer.
COSC says it tests every watch submitted for this certification individually rather than relying on sampling. These figures are specifications for COSC’s certification process, not independent measurements of how all certified watches perform in everyday use.
Rank #2
- Time, Date And Alarm Function: Switch between 3 display modes to check the time, date and set your alarm. On the clock mode, hit the two outer buttons at the same time to turn off the alarm.
- 1/100 Second Split Timing, Measure time at an accuracy of one hundredth of a second. Use the split time feature to precisely measure multiple events.
- Color:Black
- Light Weight and included lanyard this sports stopwatch is the ideal time measurement device for athletes - especially runners - coaches and referees.
- 2 Pack
When will Excellence Chronometer watches be available?
COSC says it began integrating technology and upgrading equipment in early 2026, ran pilot tests in March, and presented the tier at Watches and Wonders in April. Brands can enter the new process from October 2026, with the first watches certified under the redefined standards expected to reach the market afterward. The Watches and Wonders program also describes COSC as a neutral, independent, non-profit public-interest association founded in 1973.
COSC has not named participating brands or specific models in the announcement. Therefore, the rollout timing alone does not establish that a particular watch has earned the Excellence certification; check a current COSC or brand source for a specific model’s status.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Bold Field Design: Green 41mm case with digital dial pairs with an adjustable black strap fitting wrists up to 8 inches for daily wear
- Serious Performance: A 100-hour chronograph tracks lap and split times, plus a 24-hour countdown timer and a month, day and date calendar for everyday training
- Everyday Alarms: Three daily, weekday, or weekend alarms with a 5-minute backup, 24-hour military time mode, and two time zones keep you on schedule
- Night-Ready Visibility: An acrylic lens and INDIGLO light-up dial keep the gray digital display easy to read from dawn to dusk and after dark
- Built to Last: A Timex watch is designed for durability and everyday reliability; every piece reflects our commitment to quality without compromise
Rank #3
- Large Display --- Large and clear digit display, easy to read.
- Split Function --- Split Function can time single & split events, freezing the split-time display while total time continues; Time-Out Function has separate start/stop & reset buttons.
- Stopwatch for Coaches --- Includes 47" lanyard (neck strap), Light weight, small in volume, geat handheld, easy to carry, It is a good equipment for coaches referee to make practice like swimming running rugby basketball football and soccer etc.
- Multi-functions Stopwatch --- The stopwatch can show calendar and clock, hour, minute, second, week, month, day, selectable 12/24 hour.
- Precise Stopwatch --- PULIVIA this stopwatch is with high-precision, 1/100th second accuracy; One timing maximum up to 99 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds.
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