Wyler WT3 Tourbillon: First watch under new quality label
Wyler Genève's WT3 Tourbillon is the first timepiece to be produced under the new "Poinçon du Jura" quality label. To comply with the "Poinçon du Jura" requirements, a movement must be 100% Swiss made and at least 90% of the components must be made in the Jura. The movement must also be produced by a company that is independent from any watchmaking group.
The Geneva Seal (Poinçon de Genève) has been in existence since 1886. It is my understanding that the seal was created to guarantee the quality of certain Geneva watch manufacturers, against the quality of watches coming out of the Vallée de Joux. Is this a fact? I do not know, this is what I have been told by a long time industry expert. The fact that Patek Philippe ditched the Geneva Seal earlier this year, makes it much easier to believe. I guess the Geneva Seal was not enough for Patek, so this year they created their own seal. But don't they already have quality control in place? For a company like Patek, you would think their name, by itself, is the ultimate seal of quality. I guess not. Which is why they have introduced the Patek Philippe Seal.
Now as far as Wyler Genève, why didn't they just go with the COSC certification? It is good enough for Rolex, Omega and Breitling. Are they trying to convey a message that their watches are even higher quality than a COSC certified timepiece? Maybe so, but I seriously doubt a new watch brand like Wyler, that does not produce in-house, would surpass these true manufactures in quality.
