Lederer Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer

Quick specs Lederer Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer
Price: approx. $ 166,000 | approx. € 157.000 | approx. £ 131,000 | CHF 146’000 (all excluding VAT)
Size: 44 mm
Reference: CIC 9012.10.710 – limited to 8 pieces

The Lederer Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer is a manual-winding timepiece achieving three separate Observatory Chronometer certifications. Limited to just 8 pieces, it offers collectors a rare opportunity to own a watch tested beyond conventional standards. Because a one-second deviation of a watch movement could translate into a positioning error of nearly 500 meters at the equator. This one deviates way less.

Observatory chronometers have historical importance as precision instruments used in navigation. These timepieces ensured sailors accurately calculated their position at sea. Lederer incorporates this legacy into its design while advancing the technology. With two remontoirs and a double-wheel escapement, the watch maintains consistent accuracy, echoing the historical need for reliability.

Design and Materials of the Lederer Chronometer

This Lederer Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer has a 44-millimeter case made of 904L stainless steel. The watch is 12.2 millimeters thick and has a dial crafted in-house from solid sterling silver. Each of the eight limited-edition pieces features a compass rose engraved on the back, tying the watch to its navigational roots.

Furthermore, the dial indicates the hours and minutes plus a small seconds sub dial. There the reference to the three certificates can be found. As the watch has been tested by institutes in Besançon, France, in Glashütte, Germany, and by the Observatoire Chronométrique in Geneva, Switzerland. The latter provides the COSC certification. Anyway, putting all this on the dial would be too much, and probably would lead to so legal issues as well. So Lederer has engraved the three coordinates of longitude and latitude of the aforementioned institutes. A cool nod to its navigational background.

The Movement with Double-Wheel Escapement

This Lederer runs on the Lederer caliber 9012. The movement includes two independent barrels, two independent gear trains, two constant-force mechanisms, and two independent escapement wheels with central impulses. All optimizing energy distribution and contributing to its extreme precision.

Tests showed a maximum deviation of only +0.5 seconds per day across five positions for the movement. And the average deviation is just 0.18 seconds per day, which is far ahead of COSC certification. One can only achieve that with meticulous engineering and perfection. It’s clear precision costs energy so the two barrels supply a power reserve of only 38 hours.

Price Lederer Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer

The case features a sapphire crystal back with anti-reflective treatment, showcasing the manual-winding movement. The strap material isn’t specified but it looks like blue, and leather, right?

The Lederer Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer is priced at 146,000 Swiss franc, excluding taxes. Which is approximately 160 to 170k in US dollars or euros, and about 130,000 British pounds. Competitors are other independent haute horology brands like Greubel Forsey and Grönefeld for instance, to name two brands starting with a G. These brands also emphasize rarity and precision but may not match Lederer’s triple certification and offer other unique engineering solutions.