An Exclusive Profile of Dann Phimphrachanh, Breakout Star of AHCI 2025
After unveiling Seconde Vive, this young independent watchmaker faces surging demand, yet remains committed to traditional handcraft and meticulous hand-finishing.
While staying home, far from the bustle of the 2025 Watches and Wonders, I was glued to my phone, eagerly following news and updates from friends lucky enough to be at the heart of high-end watchmaking. For many collectors of independent timepieces, the main attraction was the Masters of Horology exhibition organized by AHCI.
One name kept coming up—a long and unfamiliar one: Dann Phimphrachanh. Alongside it were photos of his debut watch. It was a striking piece, featuring an openworked dial with neatly polished gears, and hour and minute hands set over a beautifully guilloché dial. But a short video on Dann’s Instagram revealed details the pictures missed: the gears in graceful motion and a fully visible deadbeat seconds mechanism. It was a mesmerizing symphony of wheels and levers.
Even more impressive, the entire watch was handmade. From the bridges to the gear train and balance wheel, every component was crafted and finished by hand, using traditional watchmaking techniques and no modern machines.
It’s no exaggeration to say Dann was the breakout star of the AHCI showcase. Yet, despite all the buzz, there was little information about him online. I decided to go straight to the source and reached out to the young watchmaker himself.
Now, you’re in luck. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this exclusive profile of a rising star in independent watchmaking.
School Years in Lisbon, Portugal
Dann was born in France and moved to Lisbon with his family when he was eight. He remained in this beautiful seaside metropolis throughout his school years. For three years, he attended the Institute of the Pupils of the Army, a military vocational school located in Lisbon.
After that, Dann spent six years at Casa Pia Lisboa, a school that combines academic education with vocational training. Among the many vocational paths offered, he chose watchmaking, focusing on the repair and restoration of timepieces. He quickly found joy in the hands-on training and showed a natural talent for bringing broken watches back to life.
After graduation, as he considered his future, Dann enrolled at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), part of the University of Lisbon. IST is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious engineering schools in Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking world. Here, Dann decided to take on a more theoretical challenge by studying mathematics.
In time, however, he came to a realization. His true passion remained in watchmaking. And for that, there was only one path forward: Switzerland.
10 Formative Years with Top Companies
In November 2007, Dann entered the world of watchmaking with his first job at Parmigiani Fleurier SA, where he spent nearly four years. He worked in the SAV Department, primarily handling vintage timepieces.
During his time at Parmigiani, Dann met Raul Pagès, who was working in the Restoration Department. Dann often asked questions out of curiosity, and Raul was always generous with his time and willing to share his knowledge. Years later, Raul would remain an important role model for Dann.
In August 2011, he joined Greubel Forsey SA in La Chaux-de-Fonds, where he was involved in the design and construction of complications.
By February 2013, Dann had moved to the watchmaking group at Bulgari, which was under the leadership of Daniel Roth at the time. His main responsibility there was the repair of complicated watches.
When production of Daniel Roth watches was paused in 2015, Dann transitioned to Jaeger-LeCoultre in Le Sentier. He remained there for two years.
To Dann, this ten-year period served as technical training and hands-on practice at the highest level. He described himself as a “keen observer” throughout. In his own words: “What made a huge impression on me was the philosophy I found at Parmigiani, the detail at Greubel Forsey, the genius and taste of Daniel Roth, and above all the immensity and diversity of the movements at JLC.”
Becoming Independent
Years of restoration work gave Dann deep appreciation and admiration for the watchmakers of the past. These artisans created marvels long before the era of precise machines and computer-aided tools. Their masterpieces, now preserved in museums, serve as lasting proof that modern technology has not necessarily led to more remarkable creations.
Yet, within the structure of major watch brands today, following the traditional methods of watchmaking is no longer feasible. For Dann, the only way to pursue the highest standard of craftsmanship was to go independent.
In January 2018, he took a leap of faith. He set up his own workshop in Yverdon, in the canton of Vaud, and began his journey as an independent watchmaker.
The transition came with countless challenges. As a one-man operation, he had to purchase equipment, teach himself classical techniques, and sharpen his skills to a higher level. At the same time, he needed to earn a living and keep the workshop running. Whenever a bit of time opened up, he would reflect on the kind of watch he truly wanted to create. But these moments were often interrupted by the demands of daily work.
Slowly, things began to take shape. Looking back, it was as if the new watch designed itself—almost entirely on its own.
The Making of Seconde Vive - Completely Handmade
Seconde Vive is French for “Jumping Second” or “Deadbeat Second.” It is a fascinating complication and a precise way to track time, allowing each second to be clearly seen and counted. Some of the most sought-after timepieces, such as the Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain II and the Petermann Bédat 1967, feature this complication.
Dann’s creation of the Seconde Vive would take many years. The movement was designed from the ground up and made entirely by hand. Every component was crafted in his workshop, with each part carefully hand-finished. It was a slow and demanding process, requiring immense patience and determination. Over the years, Dann shared glimpses of this journey through photos on social media.
With time, and through sheer persistence, the prototype of Seconde Vive began to come together. Dann aimed to unveil this first watch at the 2025 AHCI Masters of Horology (MOH) Exhibit, scheduled for March 31 to April 5. As an applicant to AHCI, this event marked an important step forward in his candidacy.
In the end, Dann worked right up to the night before the opening day to get the prototype functioning properly. Years of effort and dedication all led to this single moment. “Vivre le temps avec passion,” or “Live time with passion,” is the motto Dann lives by. With the debut of Seconde Vive, he gave real meaning to that motto.
AHCI MOH Exhibit 2025
Many AHCI members came to see Dann’s watch, and they were clearly impressed. These were the very watchmakers Dann had long admired. It was a true honor for him to receive their praise and encouragement.
Then came the collectors. They examined the watch under a loupe, took photos and videos, and shared in the excitement. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive. The watch was a beauty—well-composed, finely finished, and full of life in motion.
A collector remembered Dann helping him try on the watch. Dann told him to take his time and really experience it. He even suggested walking over to the window to see how the watch looked in natural light. Dann also pointed out that no CNC machines were used in making it. He’s hardcore about traditional watchmaking, and smart collectors noticed that.
By the end of the first day, Dann had received more serious inquiries than he could realistically fulfill in several years. By the close of the event, he had lost track of how many people had shown interest in ordering a piece.
Those were a joyful couple of days, but also exhausting and overwhelming. Realistically, Dann could only commit to six orders, with delivery planned around June or July of 2026.
During the AHCI event, Dann was accepted as a Candidate of this prestigious group, moving up from Applicant status, alongside Johannes Kallinich of Kallinich Claeys. It was a nice recognition and a key milestone in his journey. Dann is following the path of today’s most successful independent watchmakers, including Raúl Pagès, his former colleague at Parmigiani Fleurier and the winner of the first LVMH Watch Prize for Independent Creatives.
Future Plan
Looking ahead, Dann will continue to focus on building out his workshop. His goal is to hand-make all components in-house, and this will take another two years to complete. By then, he hopes to fully master every step of the process, at the highest level. He also needs to find ways to respond to collector inquiries promptly without getting buried in the process.
His immediate priority is to complete the six Seconde Vive orders within a year. After that, he will reassess and adjust his plans. His main concern is staying true to the “made by hand” approach. “My focus isn’t on selling,” Dann explained. “It’s on doing things the right way.”
Ideas for future timepieces are already forming, but it is too early to share details. Like Seconde Vive, each new creation will take time to develop, evolve, and refine.
For Dann, the future will continue to be rooted in traditional craftsmanship. He remains focused, determined, and excited by the possibilities ahead.
Last Words
Since the successful debut of Seconde Vive, Dann has been extremely busy. He has not even had time to submit a photo and bio to be listed as a candidate on the AHCI website. Thankfully, a friend has offered to help with the task.
I am grateful that Dann still found time to answer my questions by email. I hope more collectors and enthusiasts will come to appreciate his work and his unwavering dedication to hand-made and hand-finished watchmaking.
It took many years of hard work—often alone in the workshop—before that shining moment at the AHCI showcase. I’m really happy for Dann, wish him all the best, and look forward to seeing what he creates next.
Dann’s website is still under construction. In the meantime, follow him on Instagram: @dann.phimphrachanh.
Wow, that Dann Phimphrachanh is gorgeous.