Is the Pragma P1 the watch with the highest degree of sustainability currently available?
In the heart of Geneva, a new watch brand is making waves in the world of horology. Pragma, with its website pragma-watches.ch, has unveiled the Pragma P1 - Perseverance, a limited edition watch that embodies strong engineering intent, precision, and innovation.
The P1 - Perseverance watch stands out with its signature Fluorite Purple dial and Solar Stainless Steel Panatere® case, a material choice that showcases high-quality innovation and a connection to sustainability. The watch's movement, the Caliber 1031-1, is a 100% Swiss-made, ISO 3159-certified chronometer, boasting a variable inertia balance, 60-hour power reserve, and carefully engineered bridges and plates.
The design of the P1 - Perseverance watch is inspired by Swiss architects Mario Botta and Peter Zumthor, known for their precision geometry and a touch of brutalism. The watch's indices and sub-dials are distinctive, as the date and seconds are displayed not using hands but revealed through cut-outs in revolving discs.
Pragma's commitment to sustainability is evident in their use of Solar Stainless Steel Panatere®, a material that potentially lowers environmental impact. The characterization of the watch material as "solar stainless steel" suggests an innovative, eco-friendly production process. While explicit sustainability claims are limited, the choice of materials and Swiss-made precision engineering imply a deliberate design philosophy oriented toward durability and responsible craftsmanship.
The P1 - Perseverance watch has been recognised among distinguished watches at the TEMPORIS International Awards, highlighting its standing within both innovation and quality in watchmaking circles. It is a limited edition, with only 16 pieces made, which may emphasize exclusivity and reduced environmental footprint through limited production.
Interestingly, the P1 watch's materials are 82.7% recycled, which partly explains its higher-end price (around £22,000 for a steel version). The brand aims to increase the recycled content of its watches to between 90 and 95% by 2026.
In an unusual twist, purchasing one of the gold pieces grants ownership of 1% of the Pragma company. This gold edition is a limited collection, with only 12 pieces available. The response to this offer has been positive, with some buyers more interested in the equity aspect of the gold pieces offer than the physical watch itself.
Pragma encourages collectors to be passionate about their watches and support their mission. The brand is committed to transparency regarding its sustainability efforts and invites collectors to be directly involved in the brand's mission through the gold pieces offer. At the time of writing, five of the 12 gold pieces are still available for purchase, with prices on application.
The P1 watch comes in four versions, three steel and one gold. Christopher Wegener, a co-founder of Pragma, trained in watchmaking with Rolex and has worked with FP Journe and Laurent Ferrier. Kai Lui, a Taiwanese product designer who used to work at Hermès, collaborated with Pragma despite having no experience in watchmaking.
Pragma Watches is not just introducing a sustainable, high-end watch; it's offering a unique investment opportunity. The P1 watch is more than just a timepiece; it's a testament to precision engineering, sustainability, and the spirit of perseverance.
The Pragma Watches website offers a variety of product categories, including fashion-and-beauty and education-and-self-development, in addition to their renowned home-and-garden, technology, cars, and lifestyle products. The brand's commitment to sustainability in their watch production process extends to their use of recycled materials, such as the 82.7% recycled material in the P1 watch, and their goal to increase this percentage to between 90 and 95% by 2026. The unique investment opportunity presented by the P1 watch's gold edition, where ownership of 1% of the Pragma company is included with the purchase of one of the 12 available pieces, places the watch in the realm of sports and financial markets, offering an exciting venture for passionate collectors.
