Are you looking for a watch that can give you the assurance of its time precision and accuracy? Or do you want a watch that is COSC certified chronometer?
Every watch in this world loses some time every day, does not matter how expensive or futuristic it is. But we hardly pay attention to the time loss until our watch is behind the time by a considerable amount. If you are a purist then you must want a watch that loses the minimum amount of time possible. Lucky for you, in this article, I have compiled a COSC certified watches list. This list includes certified chronometer watches from the brands like Rolex, Tissot, Longines, Mido, Chopard, Tag Heuer, Bremont, and Carl F. Bucherer.
Quick Navigation
- What Is A Chronometer Watch?
- How Can You Tell If the Watch Is COSC Certified?
- Best COSC Certified Watches Comparison
- Best Chronometer Watches
- Should You Buy A COSC Certified Watch?
- FAQs
What Is A Chronometer Watch?
Before we dive into the list of best chronometer watches, let us first look at what actually a chronometer watch is? If you already know this then you can skip this part and jump right onto the list.
First of all, let me tell you that a chronometer is not a chronograph, they are very different. If you do not know about the difference between the two then read this chronometer vs chronograph article first.
A chronometer watch is a watch that is certified by the COSC (Control Officiel Suisse des Chronometres). COSC is a neutral watch testing body based out of Switzerland that tests the watches for their accuracy and precision.
In this test different parameters of the watches are tested for 15 days straight. The parameters include average daily rate, variation of rate depending on the temperature, position, etc. If and only if the overall variation of the timepiece is in the range of -4 to +6 seconds per day then it is awarded the COSC certification.
How Can You Tell If the Watch Is COSC Certified?
Getting a COSC certification is a kind of a big deal for any watch manufacturer. And once a timepiece gets certified as a chronometer then the watch manufacturer is allowed to mention this on the watch dial. Therefore every watch manufacturer mentions ‘Chronometer’ on their watch dial proudly, this means that the watch is COSC certified. Hence you can clearly tell if a watch is a certified chronometer or not just by looking at its dial.
Best COSC Certified Watches Comparison
IMAGE | PRODUCT | SPECIFICATIONS | VIEW ON AMAZON |
Best Chronometer Watch under $500  | Tissot Ballade COSC |
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Best COSC Certified Watch under $1000  | Mido Multifort |
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COSC Certified Dive Watch  | Rolex Sea-Dweller |
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COSC Certified Tachymeter Watch  | Chopard Monaco Historique |
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Best Chronometer Watches
Let us now look at some of the most precise and accurate timepieces in the world.
1) Tissot Ballade COSC
Tissot Ballade COSC is the cheapest COSC certified watch on this list and it is one of the best chronometer watches that you can buy for under $500. It is powered by a Swiss automatic movement that is certified by COSC and consists of 25 jewels. Combine all of this together and you get one of the accurate watches in the world. This timepiece loses a maximum time of around 2 and half seconds in a day.
This watch from Tissot comes with a case size of 41mm and will fit perfectly on people with almost every wrist size, until and unless you have freakishly big wrists. I have a wrist size of around 7 inches and I found this watch to be a perfect fit on my wrist. This timepiece has a power reserve of 80 hours and lasts comfortably for 3 days straight without winding, once fully charged.
You do not have to worry about the watch getting scratched even if you use it daily as there is a sapphire crystal at the top of the watch to protect it. The watch also comes with a see-through case back which lets you have a look at the inner movement of the watch. So when you get some extra time you can see the oddly satisfying inner working of the watch.
You can wear and take off the watch quickly even when you are in a hurry as the leather strap of the watch comes paired with the butterfly clasp. If you do not know how to wear and take off a butterfly clasp then you can learn how to do it by reading our how to open a watch clasp article.
However, the watch has a drawback too. Its case and markers are silver in color which looks good and reading time is also easy when you are in the light. But when you are in the dark then reading the time is very challenging.
If you are looking for a certified chronometer watch and are running short on budget then you can blindly opt for this timepiece. The features which it is offering at the price point are pretty hard to match.
2) Longines Record Automatic
Longines Record Automatic is one of the best luxury chronometer watches from Longines. This watch is COSC certified and even if you are a purist you will hardly notice it losing any time in a day. It is powered by a Swiss automatic movement and has a power reserve of 72-hours.
This timepiece is not less than jewelry, it is a two-tone watch and has a stainless steel case and bracelet with 18k rose gold highlights. The bezel, hands, and markers of the watch are also made up of 18k rose gold. Therefore you can very well wear it to parties and functions to show off.
The watch has a sapphire crystal that protects it from scratches, so you will not have to worry about the scratches even if you wear it daily. If you like to see the inner workings of the watch then you can see the inner parts working in this watch as it has a see-through case back that is again protected by a sapphire crystal. To help you remember the date there is a date window in the watch, but you will have to correct the date at the end of each month that has 30 days.
If you are looking to buy a luxury chronometer watch that has a simple yet rich look then this is the watch for you. However, before buying you should know that the watch only comes with a water-resistant rating of 30M which only protects it from accidental splashes and unwanted rains.
3) Mido Multifort
Mido Multifort is the best COSC certified watch under $1000. Like other chronometer watches on this list, this watch is also very accurate and precise when it comes to timekeeping. There are 25 jewels, like the Tissot Ballade COSC, in the watch which can be seen working from its transparent case back. The watch is powered by an automatic movement and has an 80-hours power reserve. As a result, you do not have to worry about charging the watch and you will find it running even if you do not wear it for 3 days straight.
The watch features a sapphire crystal that has an anti-reflective coating on both sides, which some of the watches on this list miss out on. It makes reading the time a piece of cake even if you are under direct sunlight. This is the only watch on this list that has a day and date window feature. They are located near the 3 o’clock position to help you remember the day of the week and the date of the month.
The timepiece comes with a water-resistant rating of 100M, which is better than most of the watches on the list and comes with a screw-down crown. Both of these combined together make the watch perfect for snorkeling and swimming sessions.
At just 88 grams, the watch is also one of the lightest on this list and sometimes you will feel like you are not even wearing a watch. The dial of the watch has Geneva Stripes and rose gold treated bezel, hands, and markers. All of this combined together give the watch an expensive and premium look.
If you are looking to buy a chronometer watch for under $1000 then this could be a perfect pick for you.
4) Chopard Monaco Historique
Chopard Monaco Historique is one of the best COSC certified tachymeter watches. This is the only watch on the list that features a tachymeter. So if you are into motor racing sports and want a luxury watch that guarantees its time accuracy then this could be the best option for you.
Other than the chronometer and tachymeter, this timepiece has a chronograph as well. The chronograph can be controlled by the two push buttons on the side and is very easy to use. Therefore you can easily measure the time of your laps. Unlike other watches on this list that have stainless steel cases, the case of this watch is made up of titanium. Pair it with a sapphire crystal and you get a strong rugged watch that can withstand the hardest of blows.
Like the Mido Multifort, this timepiece also has a 100M water-resistant rating and can be used while swimming or snorkeling. To make it look premium, there are rose gold rings around the bezel, and the crown and chronograph buttons are also made up of rose gold. The calfskin leather strap and the rose gold-filled hands also add to the premiumness of the timepiece.
Unlike other watches on this list, this watch has luminous hands and markers which makes reading the time pretty easy when you are in the dark. However, if you have small wrists then you may find it a little big for your liking as the watch comes with a 44.5mm case diameter.
5) Rolex Sea-Dweller
Rolex Sea-Dweller is the best COSC certified divers watch. Unlike other watches on this list, this watch is not just a chronometer but is a superlative chronometer, and you can see this written on the watch dial.
Now you must be wondering what does a superlative chronometer means, right! Do not worry, Rolex is known to invent its own terminologies for features and the same is the case with a superlative chronometer. Once approved by the COSC, Rolex further tests the watches in-house, and the watches that pass the testing are named superlative chronometers. Therefore you can rest assured that this is the best when it comes to time precision and accuracy.
The watch features a 1220M water-resistant rating which is the highest among all the watches on this list. Unlike other watches on this list, this timepiece comes with a screw-down crown, screw-down case back, helium escape valve, luminous hands and markers, and a uni-directional dive bezel. All of this combined make the Rolex Sea-Dweller a perfect diver’s watch.
Other than this, the timepiece is powered by a Swiss automatic movement and comes with a power reserve of 70-hours. As a result, you neither have to worry about its charging nor about its battery getting discharged.
Like other watches on this list, there is a date window on this watch as well, however, it also has a cyclops over the date window so that you can read the date clearly. And one more thing that the Rolex Sea-Dweller has, that no other watch on this list has, is the perpetual date feature. In this watch, you do not have to correct the date manually at the end of every month that has 30 days. While in other watches, you do need to correct the date.
If you are looking to buy a true luxury chronometer diver watch then you will not get any better than this.
6) Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scubatech
If you think that the Rolex Sea-Dweller is a little expensive or out of your budget then you do not have to worry. Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scubatech is one of the best COSC certified diver watches that you can buy at almost one-third of the price of Rolex Sea-Dweller.
Other than the COSC certification, this watch has almost everything that you could ask from a diver watch.
As compared to the 1220M water-resistant rating of Rolex Sea-Dweller, this watch comes with a water-resistant rating of 500M, which will be more than enough for recreational divers. Like the Sea-Dweller, this watch also features a screw-down crown, automatic helium valve, luminous hands and markers, and a uni-directional rotating dive bezel. Therefore you can very well use it for diving.
Moreover, the watch is powered by an automatic movement and has a 38-hour power reserve which is one of the lowest among all the watches on this list. The anti-reflective coating on both sides of the sapphire crystal makes sure the watch remains protected from scratches and the time is clearly visible even under the brightest of the sunlight.
However, if you have small wrists then its 44.60mm case diameter may feel a little big on your wrist.
If you are looking to buy an affordable luxury chronometer diver watch then this is the best pick for you. In case you do not know about the brand then let me tell you it is the same brand that the main characters of John Wick wore in the movie. If you want to find more about the brand then you can read our Carl F. Bucherer brand review. And you can also read our John Wick movie watches article to know which character wore which watch of the brand.
7) Bremont ALT1-C
Bremont ALT1-C is one of the best chronometer watches from Bremont. This watch has a Swiss automatic movement and comes with a power reserve of 42-hours, which is the lowest after the Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scuabtech.
Like other watches on this list, this watch also features 25-jewels which make it smoother and precise. The case of the watch is made up of DLC treated stainless steel which makes it scratch-resistant. You also do not have to worry about the breakage and scratches on the watch glass as it is made up of sapphire crystal.
Like the Chopard Monaco Historique, this watch also has a water-resistant rating of 100M and is suitable for elongated swimming sessions and snorkeling. This timepiece also features a chronograph that can be used to time your activities. And like other watches on this list, there is a date window in this watch as well at the 6 o’clock position to help you remember the date of the month. But unlike the Rolex Sea-Dweller, you will have to correct the date on this watch at the end of months having 30 days.
If you are looking for an elegant, sophisticated, vintage, and timeless design watch that comes with COSC certification and that you can wear every day, then this is the best option for you.
8) Tag Heuer Autavia
Tag Heuer Autavia is one of the best COSC watches from Tag Heuer. Most watches of the actor Chris Hemsworth are from Tag Heuer. This watch follows an all-brown theme and has a bronze case and bezel, a brown dial, and a brown leather strap. The watch looks like it is a mix of sporty and vintage appeal.
Like other watches on this list, this watch is also powered by Swiss automatic movement and like the Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scubatech, has a power reserve of 38-hours, which is the lowest on this list. If you like to go swimming then you can take this watch with you as it comes with a water-resistant rating of 100M. Unlike any other watch on this list, this timepiece also has a bi-directional rotating bezel that can be used to measure the elapsed time of a certain activity.
Moreover, the watch features a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a date window at the 6 o’clock position, and luminous hands and digits.
If you are looking to buy a chronometer watch that you can wear with your casual outfit then you can surely consider buying this one.
Should You Buy A COSC Certified Watch?
Time is the most precious thing in the world. If you are someone that likes to keep account of every second of their life and also like mechanical watches then yes you should buy a COSC watch. These watches guarantee you the time precision and accuracy so that you are right on time for everything, neither behind nor ahead.
FAQs
How Accurate A COSC Certified Watch?
COSC watches can lose time anywhere between -4 to +6 seconds a day.
Which Watches Are Chronometer Certified?
All the watches that pass the rigorous precision and accuracy testing done by the COSC are Chronometer certified.
Are Longines Watches COSC Certified?
Yes, some of the Longines watches are COSC certified. Among them, Longines Record Automatic is the best.
Is Tissot Powermatic 80 COSC Certified?
Yes, Tissot Powermatic 80 is a Certified chronometer and is one of the best watches under $500.
Are Chronometer Watches Better?
Yes, chronometer watches are more accurate and precise than normal watches.
