# @chronoswiss_official on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CNKWjKyrU16
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/77100057-chronoswiss-official-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/4322736047.jpg
- **Posted:** 2021-04-02T11:23:02.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** CHRONOSWISS (@chronoswiss_official) — https://gondola.cc/chronoswiss_official

## Caption

Welcome to episode 16 of #humanfriday, where we meet Chronoswiss mentor Patrik Hoffmann. 

After four decades in the industry, including six years as CEO of Ulysse Nardin, Patrik Hoffmann was supposed to retire in 2017. But his fascination for handmade mechanical watches made it impossible to completely stay away.

You have now been part of the Chronoswiss team for three years. What made you come back to watches?

“It is a truly independent company with a great team spirit, and I love the handmade guilloché – hardly anyone does that nowadays! As a matter of fact, there is no other company mastering the art of in-house guilloché with a modern interpretation like Chronoswiss. On top of that the contemporary designs are polarizing – Chronoswiss are not like any other watches out there.”

This sounds like a perfect situation for an independent family brand.

“Yes, I truly believe it is a brand with so much potential. It is a niche brand and it will remain a niche brand. But the potential has not been tapped yet. Particularly in the fairness and the value of the product. The consumer really gets a true value for what he pays.” 

How is this reflected in the Lucerne atelier?

“I am fascinated by the watchmaker’s studio in the centre of the atelier, surrounded by the guilloché and enamelling workshops. Thus the artisanal crafts, the technicians and watchmakers are at the centre of Chronoswiss”

How would you describe your work?

“I am pulling from my 40 years of experience. During my career I have worked and lived in Asia, USA and Switzerland. I have helped establish brands, I have produced trunk shows and fairs, I have led teams that built up manufactures … I have been fortunate enough to seen pretty much every aspect of the watch industry. Thus I can be a mentor and sparring partner to Oliver and Eva Ebstein; I help them funnel their ideas, give them focus and guidance.”

After all these years, what would you say is the most important aspect of any watch brand?

“The timepiece must speak for itself and it must represent a true value.”

#chronoswiss #modernmechanical #humanfriday #watchmaking #guilloche #lucerne

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## Tags

chronoswiss, modernmechanical, lucerne, watchmaking, humanfriday, guilloche

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