The Real Time Show: Pragma's Christopher Wegener Shares His Passion For Design

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Real Time Show
• Hosts: Rob Nudds & Alon Ben Joseph
• Episode Title: Pragma's Christopher Wegener Shares His Passion For Design With Alon And Rob
• Release Date: March 23, 2025

1. Introduction to Christopher Wegener

The episode kicks off with Rob Nudds introducing Christopher Wegener, lauding him as a "hidden gem in the watchmaking industry" (00:06). Christopher, a 36-year-old Swiss native from Biel—a renowned watchmaking hub—shares a bit about his multicultural background and personal life. He mentions his German father, Brazilian mother, a loving wife, and a young son named Jude. Beyond watchmaking, Christopher has a deep passion for art, gastronomy, and wine, illustrating his multifaceted interests (02:23).

2. Journey Into Watchmaking

Christopher recounts his early foray into watchmaking at age 14. Faced with choosing between academic or practical studies, he opted for a dual apprenticeship at Rolex, balancing hands-on work with formal watchmaking education. This experience cemented his desire to create his own brand. Over the past two decades, his career path has included pivotal roles at François-Paul Journe, Laurent Ferrier, Manufacture Horlogère Chloé (MHC), and leadership at the Norwegian brand Al Flea. These roles honed his expertise in high complications and craftsmanship (04:45; 05:26).

3. Founding Pragma Watches

Pragma Watches was born from Christopher's and his associate’s shared vision to innovate beyond traditional watchmaking norms. Unlike many brands that use family names, Pragma—a nod to pragmatism and forward-thinking—embodies values like transparency, sustainability, and Swiss craftsmanship. Christopher explains, “Pragma was this dream to build this, this dream watch that's pragmatic. It’s about transparency, 100% Swiss made craftmanship, sustainability” (10:15).

He further elaborates on meeting his associate, a talented industrial designer from Ekal near Lausanne, whose fresh perspective from outside the traditional watchmaking bubble fueled their collaborative creativity (11:09).

4. Design Philosophy and Innovation

Pragma’s design ethos centers on creating a distinctive language that resonates with modern aesthetics while ensuring functionality. Christopher emphasizes the importance of readability and a classic yet futuristic appearance. “I want to be easy to read,” he states, highlighting the significance of a well-designed dial. The collaboration between Christopher and his designer associate focused on integrating unique elements like the intermediate bezel and experimenting with materials and finishes to create a minimalistic yet intricate timepiece (12:56; 16:58).

5. Luxury Redefined: Craftsmanship and Pricing

Addressing the concept of luxury, Christopher distinguishes between traditional perceptions and his brand’s approach. For him, luxury is defined by exceptional detail, superior materials, and craftsmanship. He critiques the current luxury market’s move towards high-volume production, questioning, “If you do 10,000 or 20,000 production items, is it still luxury?” (17:40).

Pragma positions itself in the high-end segment with an entry-level price point of approximately CHF 26,000. This pricing strategy is designed to balance accessibility with exclusivity, allowing Pragma to attract discerning collectors while maintaining quality. Christopher acknowledges that prices may increase as the brand grows but asserts the importance of an aggressive launch price to gain visibility and attract initial clientele (23:12; 28:42).

6. Sustainability and Transparency

A cornerstone of Pragma’s philosophy is sustainability. Christopher discusses the challenges of sourcing 100% recycled materials but emphasizes their commitment to transparency. “We are clear with the client we can do that for you... we have to be flexible,” he explains, highlighting the complexities involved in achieving full recyclability in precious metals like gold and platinum (34:09; 35:53).

Pragma distinguishes itself by openly sharing information about their supply chain and production processes, fostering trust and accountability within the luxury watch market. This transparency extends to their collaboration with other sustainable brands, reinforcing a community-driven approach (36:53).

7. Customer Engagement and Community Building

Christopher underscores the importance of building a community rather than just a customer base. By offering shareholders’ participation—such as obtaining 1% ownership with the purchase of specific models—Pragma fosters a sense of belonging and investment among its clientele. “We want to make the family of Pragma directly a bit bigger,” he states, aiming to create a close-knit community that shares the brand’s passion and values (31:43; 32:01).

8. Addressing Challenges and Future Plans

Pragma faces typical challenges of a burgeoning luxury brand, including production bottlenecks and the lengthy go-to-market process inherent in high-end watchmaking. Christopher candidly discusses the time-consuming nature of their operations, balancing in-house creativity with reliance on subcontractors. However, he remains optimistic about growth, aiming to expand production to 200-300 pieces and explore retail partnerships globally (48:44; 50:10).

Looking ahead, Pragma is already developing subsequent models, focusing on variations that maintain their minimalist aesthetic while introducing new materials and designs. Christopher hints at upcoming releases that will continue to push the boundaries of Pragma’s unique design language (46:55; 47:00).

9. Closing Thoughts and Future Collaborations

As the conversation winds down, both hosts express admiration for Pragma’s innovative approach and transparent business practices. Alon praises Pragma’s website for its modern and creative design, likening it to a creative agency’s online presence. Rob mentions potential future collaborations, highlighting efforts to connect with other sustainable brands and elevate industry standards (53:44; 54:51).

Christopher shares his excitement about Pragma’s participation in upcoming watch fairs and the anticipation of engaging more deeply with the global watch community. The episode concludes with an optimistic outlook for Pragma’s future and a promise of continued innovation and community engagement (55:53).

Notable Quotes:

• Rob Nudds (00:06): "I have no idea where in the world he woke up today, so he'll tell us later. But I'm very excited to have a guest that is, I dare to call him a hidden gem in the watchmaking industry..."

• Christopher Wegener (02:23): "I have to admit, I did not pay enough attention [to Pragma Watches] because it really resonates with me, not only on a design level, but even more so on a sustainability and transparency level."

• Alon Ben Joseph (17:40): "Luxury was always something that is rare and it's unique... we have to speak about the craftsmanship behind."

• Christopher Wegener (34:09): "Gold, you might wear your gold watch and you have some gold... it's never disappearing and the same for platinum, it's always there."

• Christopher Wegener (32:01): "We said it's a good way for us to bring people inside the company. Also have some inputs with collectors. They can share what they think. It's a great help for the company and great value also."

Conclusion

In this engaging episode of The Real Time Show, Christopher Wegener provides an in-depth look into the founding and philosophy of Pragma Watches. Emphasizing sustainability, transparency, and innovative design, Pragma aims to redefine luxury in the watchmaking industry. Through meticulous craftsmanship and a community-focused approach, Christopher and his team are set to make a significant impact, offering watch enthusiasts a unique blend of tradition and modernity.

For more insights and updates, visit Pragma Watches' website at PRAGMA-WATCHES.CH or connect with them through the show's contact channels.