Jean-Pierre Hagmann’s Casemaking Legacy
This piece explores the significant contributions of Jean-Pierre Hagmann, a legendary casemaker in the Swiss watch industry, who passed away last year. Hagmann was renowned for his artisanal approach to case production, particularly for minute repeaters, and his work graced timepieces from major brands like Patek Philippe and independent watchmakers such as AkriviA.
- Hagmann began his casemaking career in 1968.
- He opened his own workshop in Geneva in 1984.
- Hagmann produced 1,500 repeater cases across his career.
- A third of his repeater cases went to Patek Philippe.
- He retired in 2017 at the age of 75.
- Hagmann joined AkriviA in 2019.
Hagmann's importance to the Swiss watch industry was underscored when leaders of major brands ensured his eye injury was treated at any cost.
He learned the craft at Gustave Brera and refined it at Jean-Pierre Ecoffey, where he managed the case department for 12 years.
Hagmann's first client was Svend Andersen of Andersen Geneve, and his early work included minute repeaters.
For minute repeaters, Hagmann favored smaller, lighter cases, with gold being superior to platinum for maximizing volume, and recommended case thickness no more than 0.5mm on either side of the movement.
He invented the recessed track on the side of the watch for the repeater slide, a feature that has become standard.
Hagmann's cases were used for Patek Philippe models such as the Ref. 3974, 3979, and 5029.
For the Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000 pocket watch, Hagmann created a patented system allowing the pendant to unlock sprung covers individually, enabling the watch to open on both sides.
Hagmann's hallmark was also found on Franck Muller's Cintrée Curvex and was instrumental in the design of AkriviA's award-winning Chronomètre Contemporain.