The Besançon Observatory has granted the title of mechanical chronometer to a unique watch manufactured by the Finnish craftsman Kari Voutilainen: an opportunity to note the keen interest in mechanical watches in counterpart to the invasion of quartz watches.
Founded in 1878, Besançon Observatory’s main activity was to grant a certificate of good timekeeping, a label recognising the quality of precision of watches. Only two other bodies in the world are authorised to grant this type of validation.