GAËL PETERMANN
CO-FOUNDER & WATCHMAKER
PETERMANN BÉDAT
“My hands have always been quite shaky. When I was five and decided I wanted to be a watchmaker, my parents thought it was a bad idea. But, when I am focused, I can stop the shaking and work with it. I remember, on my first day at A. Lange & Söhne, my boss saw me and said, ‘Okay, you will scratch every screw’, but then I surprised him.”
Gaël Petermann’s journey as an independent artisan showcases his dedication to traditional craftsmanship and innovative watchmaking. From 2007 to 2011, Gaël refined his skills at the Watchmaking School of Geneva, where he developed a strong friendship with Florian Bédat. After graduating, Gaël joined A. Lange & Söhne in Glashütte from 2011 to 2014. Here, he gained invaluable experience working across iconic references, from the Lange 1 to more complicated models such as the Datograph. This period was instrumental in honing his attention to detail and understanding the intricacies of high-end watch movements.
In 2014, Gaël transitioned to independent watchmaking, working at Svend Andersen Genève, primarily focusing on services and restoration for Christie’s. This role allowed him to further refine his skills in restoring vintage watches and experiment with various horological techniques.
In 2017, Gaël and Florian opened their workshop in Renens, Switzerland. Initially, they maintained their independent work while collaborating with Christie’s. By 2018, they dedicated themselves fully to their brand, Petermann Bédat. Their first creation, the Reference 1967 Dead-Beat Second, won the Horological Revelation Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in 2020. Their subsequent model, the Reference 2941 Split-Seconds Chronograph, won the Chronograph Watch Prize at the GPHG in 2023, further cementing their reputation in the watchmaking world.
GPHG 2020
Horological Revelation Prize
Dead Beat Second
GPHG 2023
Chronograph Watch Prize
Chronographe Rattrapante
GPHG 2020
Horological Revelation Prize
Dead Beat Second
GPHG 2023
Chronograph Watch Prize
Chronographe Rattrapante