Swiss Made Quality
THE QUALITY OF A RUF WATCH IS THE RESULT OF A STRICT METHODOLOGY.
From the design of a new model to the individual testing of each watch when it comes out of production, every effort is made to ensure that the brand’s standards of excellence are met. RUF has devoted years of intense work in developing tests and protocols to guarantee the reliability and robustness of its timepieces.
Shocks or impacts, temperature variations, magnetic fields, wear and tear, humidity – RUF watches must be able to resist even the harshest conditions over a long period without their integrity or performance being compromised or diminished.
Guaranteeing the reliability of a RUF watch requires the application of a multitude of skills and expertise. Engineers specialized in materials, physics, mechanics and micro technology, as well as technicians, movement constructors, prototype makers, statisticians and horologists all work together to develop optimal solutions for each model, according to its intended use.
Among the many trials performed to confirm the reliability of a RUF watch, resistance to shocks and drops is a major area of study. What are termed “everyday” shocks are those the watch endures during normal wear, such as clapping. These forces reach a maximum of 1,000 g in terms of acceleration. “Accidental” shock tests, meanwhile, reproduce the effect of the watch being dropped, either randomly or at a predetermined angle. The sudden, rapid acceleration involved in this kind of impact can peak at 5,000 g.
Ageing tests are carried out on the watch case and bracelet as well as the movement. The resistance of the dials to UV rays, for example, is evaluated to make sure the colours remain stable over time. Robots are used to measure the progress of wear on metal bracelets where the various elements connect, such as the case with the bracelet and the links with one another. The process replicates and accelerates a RUF wearer’s typical movements, in atmospheres polluted with abrasive substances to speed up the deterioration.
Even more specific attention is paid to the movement. Its chronometric performance, the duration of its power reserve and the capacity of its self-winding module are tested systematically, as is its endurance in terms of functioning and use. All the mechanical systems making up the movement are put to the test on equipment that reproduces the actions of setting and adjusting the watch in real-life conditions.
To fully complete the process of ensuring a watch’s reliability, aesthetic and ergonomic imperatives must also be taken into consideration. Since the design of a model cannot be altered during development to overcome a technical problem, ingenuity is of the essence to come up with solutions that take account of the many variables involved. Comfort is also key, as the wearer must be assured of a watch that is both easy to use and pleasant to wear. The weight, texture and feel on the wrist, as well as the precision and ease of function-setting are all pivotal factors that influence the design and production of a RUF watch.
