Ask me whatever you want. There is no secret. Want to know where the movement came from? The automatic caliber 1031-1 was developed in collaboration with Chronode SA. Think of something a little more original. Spring bar? Now, the spring bar is made by Isoswiss, 316L steel, and attaches the Atelier du Bracelet strap to the case. Incidentally, the strap is made from 100% recycled materials. Its re/cor external is from Cordura, and temptation brings the forager inside. Overall, the 100% Swiss Pragma Watch here is made from 82.7% recycled materials and there is full disclosure as to where everything came from. Certainly, it is impressive on paper. But how does this ambitious watch hold up in real life? I had to know, so I practiced the Pragma P1 – perseverance is a high-end chronometer with high morality.
On paper, sustainability and luxury are great matches. Luxury brands often embody key elements such as limited production capacity, durability and high levels of craftsmanship, allowing them to be tailored to sustainability. These qualities will positively contribute to the environment, support the community, protect the well-being of our employees, and maintain valuable manufacturing skills. Do consumers today think of sustainability as an important standard when paying, for example, more than 30,000 euros for watches? If you want to be optimistic, the answer is yes. Let’s explore it before we start practicing sustainable luxury watches.
Practice 100% Swiss Pragma P1 – High-end chronometer with patience, high morality
The musical drama The Reepenny Opera (Die Dreshröschenoper) premiered in 1928 at the theatre AM Schiffbauerdamm in Berlin, Germany. The musical play was created by German composer Kurt Weil and German writer Bertolt Brecht, with “Whats Keeps Mankind Alive?” (“Denn Wovon Lebt der Mensch?”), part of the Act 2 finale, and the famous line. Brecht wrote, “Elst Comt das Fressen, Dan Comt dies morally.” It loses quite a bit of accuracy and power in English, but it is roughly translated into “first food, then morality.”
Morality refers to guide principles, ideas that strongly influence people when deciding or considering problems. So when considering spending more than 30,000 euros on a watch, you don’t have to worry if you can put enough food on the table for yourself and your family. It is plausible that there are plenty of lighthearted spiritual rooms and many opportunities to develop and act accordingly your morals. It can be argued that keeping our planet clean is a moral responsibility, as our planet directly affects human health, supports ecosystems, and preserves a livable environment for future generations. It suits the morality of buying durable, high quality products (almost completely) made from recycled materials that last for more than a lifetime, like a mechanical watch. Certainly, watches like the Pragma P1 – perseverance is suitable for tees.
Pragma P1 – Metallic Patience
If you want to know exactly which parts of your watch are where and how sustainable, visit the Pragma website or check out our introductory article. P1 – Provides a complete overview of all the parts that make up patience. Focus on the sum of that part, the reference P1-ST-CH00 with a purple dial.
This fluorite purple dial is impressive because of its subtle hue, not the presence of a sunburst finish, for example. Its finish is overused in the watch world to achieve dials, but it is also a sign of designing in autopilots. This matte dial, created by Comblémine from the Brass Cuzn28, shows that watch designer Kai-Hsuan Liu has more ideas than that. Liu, the brand’s creative design director, works at Hermès and owns a design studio. He has a soft spot for Swiss architects, and his strengths combine elements of nature and technology.
The dial does not follow current clock trends. For example, the brand logo will not be displayed. Two rotating discs, each with concentric patterns and cutouts, show dates and small seconds instead of traditional small hands.
The second thing I noticed was the index. The smaller ones are small near the two indicators, but the other indicators are rather large and consist of two parts. They match the appearance of the hand in the middle hours and minutes. The carefully detailed hand length is also perfect. While the minute hand reaches the index, the time hand touches very lightly the edge of the two-part applied gold index. The only sentence on the dial is the word “chronometer” above the subsecond registration at 6 o’clock.
Case made of solar stainless steel
Shape and details of the P1 “Solar Stainless Steel” Case – Best of Patience Show of Kaifs Enryu’s architecture and love for Swiss architects like Markli, Botta and Zumsoll. The angular rug conveys that they prefer brutal things. The brushed surface is reminiscent of finely finished, highest quality concrete that is common in Swiss buildings, and contrasts well with polished edges.
But my favorite details are the result of the construction of the case. Developed by Voutilainen & Cattin, this case is from Panatere’s La Chaux-De-Fonds solar-powered reactor, and is therefore the name of the alloy “solar stainless steel”. The bezel and caseback have eight small protrusions that perfectly fit the eight notches in the midcase. It fits together like high-end craftsman’s wooden furniture and also looks like a high-tech, precisely designed construction. The smooth and perfect protrusions show a refined finish and create a visual hook on the sides of the case.
P1 – Number Patience
The P1-Perseverance steel case is 39mm in diameter, 10.4mm thick, and 47.5mm from lug to lug. These numbers convey a balanced percentage and promise excellent wear. Recognizing ratios is a matter of preference, but mathematical formulas can represent proportional to numbers. However, the bezel width and detailed crown size create an appearance that cannot be explained by numbers. How these design details are perceived is a strictly subjective taste issue. I think both the bezel and the crown would wear suits on watches that are inspired by outside the world of watches. Incidentally, the crown design matches the appearance of the large index, creating balance and consistency.
Environmentally friendly motor
Inside the P1 – the patient case featuring 5 bar resistant and scratch-resistant sapphire crystals on the front and back beating the 4Hz automatic pragma 1031-1 caliber. Developed in collaboration with Chronode, this movement is certified as a chronometer in accordance with the ISO 3159 standard. It also consists of 278 parts including a grade 5 titanium bridge and 100% plate. The balance comes from Atokalpa or Nivarox, but Crelier makes 41 gems.
The power reserve for exercise is a very healthy 60 hours. It is also a very good looking caliber with a luxurious industrial look. Among the finishes are patterns like fine particles, circular brushing, polished angles, and sparkling coat degeneves. There is also an open work rotor that does not get in the way of the view.
Final Words on Purple P1 – Patience
Doing the right thing can sometimes be expensive. Purple Pragma P1 – Perseverance made from solar stainless steel costs 33,400 chf before VAT and transport. This places the watch in the category where the uncontroversial sporty icons (no name needs to be mentioned) are the best rules. This is definitely true. But the rookie pragma is not competing with the watch you’re thinking about now. The Pragma P1 – Perseverance is a watch for knowledgeable, open-minded enthusiasts who already have watches at a price similar to watch boxes. Pragma offers an interesting extension of existing collections. And it’s for those people that I write the last few sentences.
Dear open-minded, caring, wealthy watch fan, if you already went to the Pragma website and bought yourself a Pragma P1, patience, don’t put on a moral high horse on the watch. Praise for doing the right thing. Enjoy applause to try and make this world a better place by buying your own watch, almost entirely made from recycled products. But don’t treat us with a big attitude. Instead, become an inspiring ambassador and spread the word of luxury sustainability. And listen to Threepenny Opera from time to time.
