It’s easy to forget that the road to becoming an independent watchmaker is a painful, perilous one. Contemplating the work of Philippe Dufour or Francois-Paul Journe, one could be forgiven for thinking their path to recognition and success was evident from the start. The reality is often murkier, determined by luck and constant refinement. We sat down with Gaël Petermann and Florian Bédat, two young independent watchmakers at the beginning of their own journey. After all, they’ve only made their second watch to date: a dead seconds complication. 

Walking around Geneva Old Town on a misty winter morning, we discuss their respective training at A. Lange and Söhne, how restoring vintage pieces was a source of inspiration to create new ones and how chance has played a vital role in putting them on the track they’re now on. 

 

Can you tell us a bit more about your individual journeys and how they came together?

Gaël: We met in our first year at the watchmaking school of Geneva