“I have been very lucky to work in the watch industry for over 25 years and to have enjoyed so many positive experiences during that time and to have met so many interesting people. During that time there has not been a single day I have regretted being in the industry.” So says Mark Hearn, a man whose presence in the WatchPro Hot 100 is not just worthwhile, but worthy.
As head of Patek Philippe in the UK he simply cannot be ignored in Britain’s horological landscape; and as a campaigner for the British School of Watchmaking he should be celebrated.
“When I get up in the morning the thought of going to work is a huge pleasure for me. I enjoy every aspect of my job.” Right now, he says, that job is “to consolidate, maintain and improve the very high quality of relationship that we enjoy with our retail network and end consumer”.
It is a huge job and Mark attributes credit to the team around him. He lauds Patek Philippe’s unique integrity and values, saying the quality of product makes him proud of the family-owned business.
The past 12 months, he says, “have been very successful and the brand has consolidated and further developed its position in the UK”. Meanwhile, with the British School of Watchmaking he is involved in securing the future of the industry. “The school is looking to move to the next stage of development over the next two or three years with the goal of producing better quality and increasing numbers of young watchmakers coming into the UK industry.”
Heartfelt, yet far from syrupy, Mark’s is a very real passion and while he says that if he weren’t in the watch trade he would be a pilot. We think he is flying pretty high already.
Patek Philippe UK managing director Mark Hearn was a CMJ Brand Champion in the WatchPro Hot 100 2013 in association with The Company of Master Jewellers. To read a digital version of the book in full online, click here.
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