My answers..
1 - Yes, I think that watches we consider High end, should be tested. I did not say Swiss High end, because I think of watches from Germany etc, that might also deserve the consideration. To me it seems the COSC has lost some of it's importance, I see brands like Invicta getting COSC certificates, and I wonder how valuable that testing is.
2 - I feel it definetly should be independed of the Watch Company itself. No matter how strident a company tests it's own products, there is a vested interest. This might not be a good analogy, but an FDA of watches might be nice.
3 - I would be more likely to trust the independent Organization if it were not founded/run by a Country that has a huge interest in the watch industry. Of course then where do we go for this testing/organization? England Perhaps?
4 - I would love to see the test be dictated by the watch itself. For simple three handed watches, accuracy is the key. For anywatch labeled with any type of water resistency, then true water pressure tests, one where water is actually used, under pressure, are performed. If shock protection is listed anywhere in the manual, I would love to see a test, and some sort of a scale that indicates a watch's shock resistency.
The problem with all of this is that I just don't see the Swiss Watch Industry getting on board. For examply, a Tourby watch, do they really want the general public to know the accuracy tests? We, as watch lovers see that complication as something else, so perhaps the testing would not have much of an impact, but none the less, it might have a negative impact.
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