Born in Neuchâtel (Switzerland), Swiss-Italian Maurizio Mazzocchi gained his degree in business administration, in the U.S.A where his father was President of TAG Heuer America before returning to Switzerland, where he first entered the watchmaking industry via Omega in 1994 as Product Manager. From 1996 to 2002, he was in charge of the Italian market for Omega, a position he also occupied for Blancpain, subsequently moving outside the Swatch Group to take up the role of Europe Managing Director at Gucci. He moved to Roger Dubuis in 2004, occupying the position of General Manager until 2006, subsequently transitioning into a consultancy career in the luxury domain. At this time, he began collaborating with the jewellery company Jacob & Co, creating and directing their Swiss timepiece division from 2013 to 2018. Replete with decades of experience, he was appointed CEO of Purnell in 2020.
What first made you interested in the watchmaking business?
Since a very young age, I have been immersed in watchmaking. Growing up, my mother assembled ETA movements and later my father took over Heuer USA, which later became TAG Heuer. My childhood was filled with conversations about watches and, as a teenager, I was able to accompany my father to watch fairs. Watchmaking has always been a foregone conclusion for me, and I am proud to contribute to this beautiful industry where heart and passion bring to life the most incredible mechanisms.
What unique quality do you think you bring to your brand?
I think I am able to find an audience amongst enthusiasts who are looking for that particular emotion that a timepiece on their wrist can bring.
In my humble opinion, the Purnell watches I create go beyond rudimentary marketing. It is important to note that our watches are almost all unique and very often bespoke. And though they all meet the same criteria of performance and precision, the mechanism of each piece is adjusted one by one with the watchmaker’s expert eye, ear and touch as their only points of reference.
What watch do you wear in your role as CEO, and why?
Unfortunately, I don’t have the pleasure of personally wearing an Escape II Double Spherion. However, I sometimes borrow watches to test.
What is the biggest misconception that people have about Purnell, that you would like to banish?
There is one misconception perpetuated in media in particular that is not at all a commercial reality: the idea that the diameter of the watches (between 44mm and 48mm) is reserved for men. It’s really interesting—Purnell watches have the distinction of pleasing women as well as men, regardless of the watch’s size. I sincerely believe that complications and exceptional pieces go beyond typical notions of gender, in the same way that art does.
On the other hand, what is one thing about Purnell that is not well known, but super important, in your view?
From conception to design to production, each piece comes to life within a small radius of 150 kilometres from Geneva, and this is true for the end watch as well as the merchandising around it.
Give us a one-word (or one-phrase) hint about your future plans for the brand.
Watchmaking Coolture.
What is your long-term vision for Purnell? What direction do you intend to take the brand in?
ONLY TOURBILLON: my ambition with Purnell is to offer the most exceptional tourbillon movements.
