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NF S86-604
NF S86-604
A French norm (NF S86-604) was created for the watch industry and is aimed at setting forth test procedures and criteria for the performance of metallic watch bracelets. This standard is intended to assess the mechanical strength, durability, and functional performance of watch bracelet assembly with links, clasps, fastenings, etc. Metallic bracelets have to hold their form during the life of the wristwatch, as they are regularly moved, stressed, and exposed to environmental conditions. By setting up standardized testing methods, NF S86-604 enables manufacturers to determine the quality and reliability of metallic watch bracelets before they enter the market.
Significance
The NF S86-604 standard is also an essential indicator in the watch industry of quality assurance. When people use their timepieces every day, they are exposed to constant tension and bending of the metal, as well as repeated opening and closing of the watch casing. Indoors, bracelets with poor construction can cause the watch to wear out too soon, the clasp can break, or it can fall off accidentally. This standard can guide manufacturers to keep up the assessment of the mechanical stress and long-term use resistance of bracelet parts. This is also essential to ensure consistency in product manufacturing, impact customer satisfaction, and instill greater trust in timepiece durability, both luxury and timeworn. Manufacturers can test a product as per NF S86-604 to identify the weak points during the manufacturing process and product development. Scope The standardization and testing of metallic bracelets for wristwatches is addressed in NF S86-604. The standard contains mechanical strength, fastening security, durability, and a resistance to repeated operational stress assessment procedure. It is suitable for watch manufacturers, component suppliers, testing laboratories, and QC/QA groups used in the manufacture of metallic watch bracelet systems in the design and verification.