Côtes or vagues de Genève is a type of decoration found on watch movements and dials. The term is French for “Geneva stripes” and refers to a series of straight lines, or waves, that are cut into the metal. This type of decoration was developed in Geneva, Switzerland and its purpose is to add a decorative element to the watch as well as making it easier to clean. The waves of lines are usually cut in a regular pattern to give the watch a uniform appearance. Côtes or vagues de Genève is a classic watchmaking technique that is still used today and is often seen on high-end watches.
