A decorative finish of regular bands applied with an abrasive tool to watch movement surfaces, often plates and bridges.
Côtes de Genève, also called Geneva stripes, form a decorative pattern on flat movement surfaces, principally bridges and sometimes plates. Abrasive papers, lapping pastes or diamond tools can produce the finish. The repeated bands are visible on the finished surface. The pattern is distinct from perlage, which consists of overlapping circular impressions and can be applied in recessed areas. Both belong to the watch finisher’s range of techniques. A watchmaker can identify the decoration by sight. Determining how the maker produced it takes information about the manufacturing process.
In job listings
Listings rarely go into this detail. The word is useful to anyone discussing a movement seen through a case back, and to workshop roles that decorate or restore plates and bridges, where the bands need to stay crisp and even. Search local jobs for “watchmaking”.
