Assembly in France: what it really means
"Assembled in France" — we see this mention more and more often. Sometimes on products that don't really deserve this appellation. So let's clarify what this concretely means at A★Star.
What artisanal assembly involves
Assembling a watch correctly is not just screwing parts together. It's a sequence of precise movements, in a precise order, with appropriate tools.
For us, this means:
Inspecting each component before starting — case, dial, hands, movement. A dial with a micro-scratch, a case with a finishing defect: everything is checked before assembly, not after.
Attaching the hands by hand with a precision of a tenth of a millimeter. Too close to the dial, they rub and get damaged. Misaligned, they give a visually crooked result. This action cannot be automated for small series.
Installing the movement in the case without mechanical constraint. A poorly placed movement vibrates differently, goes out of adjustment faster. The human hand feels what the machine does not detect.
Checking every function — date, crown, water resistance — before definitively closing the case.
Our three-step quality protocol
We don't just assemble. Each watch undergoes three systematic checks before leaving.
Timegrapher test A timegrapher is an instrument that measures the regularity of the movement's beat. We impose a tolerance of -15 to +15 seconds per day — in line with serious watchmaking standards. Any movement outside the norm is replaced before assembly.
5 ATM water resistance test Each case is subjected to pressure equivalent to 50 meters depth. This test detects any micro-leak invisible to the eye. A watch that passes this test is resistant to rain, splashes, and swimming pools.
48-hour check After assembly, each watch runs continuously for 48 hours. This period allows us to detect any mechanical problem that does not appear immediately — irregular running, hand catching, date display issue.
Why this level of demandingness?
Because we offer a 2-year warranty covering any manufacturing defect. A real warranty implies real control. You cannot guarantee what you have not checked.
