2013 International Meeting ISO/TC 114 – Horology in Tokyo

The 21st of its kind, this conference took place from 13 to 17 May 2013 and allowed experts from six delegations (Japan, China, France, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Switzerland) to debate and move forward a number of projects, in a forum whose key attributes were conviviality, collaboration and consensus.

Revision of the standard ISO 1413 – Shock resistant wristwatches was without doubt the main subject of work carried out during the week. Envisaged modifications included applying a third shock to the watch head, more precisely to the crown, and adding two «free-fall» shocks on the complete watch with bracelet. Also discussed were studies carried out on the sabot (the element that hits the watch during tests) which resulted in the development of a new composition of materials that ensures an excellent repeatability of the intensity and duration of shocks.

On the subject of hard materials, a Technical Specification draft, produced by a working group composed of Swiss experts, was presented to the delegations in attendance.

This draft gave rise to discussions which led to the finalisation of requirements, thanks in particular to comments received from Chinese experts. Work will therefore continue at an international level and will be published in the form of a Technical Specification, the interim stage prior to preparation of a standard concerning the external parts of watches manufactured from hard materials.

Batteries, including those integrated in watches, are the domain of a different technical committee (IEC/TC 35). It was decided to appoint an expert delegate who, for example when a standard is revised, will pass on the specific requirements of watchmakers in respect of watch batteries.

China, responsible for the technical subcommittee dealing with table and wall clocks, presented a new draft standard concerning the accuracy of the latter. A working group was therefore created to pursue this matter.

A number of laboratories were pleased to learn that standard ISO 3160-2:2003 – Watch cases and accessories – Gold alloy coverings – Part 2: Determination of fineness, thickness, corrosion resistance and adhesion will be revised to include the SEM/EDS analysis method as an alternative to cupellation. This method has the advantage of bypassing the tedious task of dissolving the substrate.

By the end of this Conference around twelve resolutions were adopted, marking the progress of work carried out. It will be noted in addition that all decisions were taken unanimously, thereby avoiding the need for any subsequent discussions or negotiations.

The week was rounded off by a selective tour of Tokyo, perfectly organised and timed – watchmaking dictates – by our Japanese hosts. The Japanese capital is undoubtedly one of Asia’s most extraordinary cities with its endless streets, its metro network, its traffic, its shops, its temples and its population. Moreover, for around a year now, the Tokyo Skytree, rising to a height of 634 metres, has prided itself on being the world’s second tallest tower, offering visitors a breathtaking view of the megalopolis.

It was therefore on this positive note that the delegations took leave of one another, after agreeing to meet up again in 2015 for the next ISO/TC114 – Horology international congress, which will take place in the land of mountains, chocolate… and watches.

Article published in Revue FH