Eye Candy: Every Variation of the Petermann Bédat Ref. 1967 Deadbeat Seconds

Produced only in limited editions and unique pieces, the Ref. 1967 has become a highly coveted watch. A new model on the horizon may bring slightly broader availability.

May 25, 2025

It’s no secret among devoted fans of independent watchmaking that Petermann Bédat is preparing to release a simple 3-hand watch later this year. This will mark Chapter 3 for the young and already highly regarded duo. Production volumes for their first two models, Ref. 1967 and Ref. 2941, have remained very low, largely due to the complexity of their movements and the exceptional level of finishing. With the upcoming release, collectors are hoping for slightly broader availability.

Although I don’t have any details to share about the new watch now, one thing is certain: it will reflect the same high standards of craftsmanship and intriguing design consistent with the brand's DNAs. The same design partner is involved in this project, which gives us ample reason to be optimistic.

While we wait for the new model, I thought it would be fun to compile all the publicly available variations of the Ref. 1967 Chapter 1.

Here’s a fun fact: Gaël Petermann is also a gifted photographer. The Petermann Bédat Instagram account is filled with beautifully composed images of their watches. For this article, I’ve used mostly photos from their IG feed.

What follows is a timeline of the Ref. 1967’s evolution, along with examples of different configurations. At the end, I’ll also discuss the possible paths to try to secure an allocation for the upcoming release.

Three variants of the Ref. 1967 on display at The Hour Glass showroom in Singapore. (Photo by the author)

Ref. 1967 Chapter 1 - June 18, 2020

Gaël Petermann and Florian Bédat were classmates and friends at the Watchmaking School of Geneva. After graduation, they followed separate career paths but eventually found themselves working together at A. Lange & Söhne. Both returned to Switzerland and found their paths crossed again. Longing for an independent watchmaking route, the close friends decided to be business partners and founded Petermann Bédat in 2018. For more fascinating stories, please see the references at the end of this article.

That same year, Gaël and Florian introduced the first prototypes of their debut creation — a deadbeat seconds watch powered by their own in-house movement. They shared the prototypes with collectors and even participated in a watch event in Singapore the following year. Based on the feedback they received, they started over on the dial design, collaborating with experienced Swiss designer Barth Nussbaumer of Barth Studio.

On June 18, 2020, they revealed the final prototype of the Ref. 1967 Chapter 1. It featured a beautifully finished movement and a striking new dial. Only 20 pieces would be produced: 10 in white gold and 10 in rose gold. The retail price was CHF 59,800 — a figure that feels like a bargain in today’s market.

In November of the same year, the Ref. 1967 Dead Beat Seconds received the Horological Revelation Prize at the 2020 GPHG.

Setting a New Trend

The dial of the Ref. 1967 stands out with three distinct features. First is the partial opening between one and four o’clock, which reveals the levers of the keyless works. Second are the three exposed jewels with polished countersinks that catch the light beautifully. Third is the clear sapphire chapter ring, which creates the illusion that the hour markers are floating in the air.

While none of these design elements is unique to Petermann Bédat, combining them in one watch has set a new trend. Similar features can be seen in Simon Brette’s Chronomètre Artisans and Sylvain Pinaud’s Origine. Both watches went on to win the Horological Revelation Prize at the GPHG in 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Partial dial opening reveals the keyless works and other underlying gears, alongside visible jewels set in polished countersinks.

A Piece Unique Ref. 1967 in Steel

In 2021, a one-of-a-kind Ref. 1967 with a stainless steel case was created for a special client. This piece featured luminous hour and minute hands, setting it apart from the previous models. It was offered at the Phillips Geneva Watch Auction on November 10, 2024. The case was marked 01/01, and the warranty card was dated February 23, 2021.

The final price reached CHF 215,900, or approximately USD 250K, a remarkable auction debut for such a young independent brand.

A Prototype Ref. 1967 in Titanium

Following the releases in rose and white gold, the team at Petermann Bédat explored a new version of the Ref. 1967 in titanium. The dial and case were both crafted in the material, which presented unique challenges. As the team noted, “It takes one and a half more time to make the hand finish beveling, but twice rewarding when you achieve the quality we are looking for.”

The team also experimented with different dial colors. One prototype features a nice turquoise dial, shared by Gaël on his Instagram account.

Ref. 1967 Second Series in Titanium - Oct 7, 2021

On October 7, 2021, Petermann Bédat unveiled a new edition: the Ref. 1967 Second Series. This edition featured a vibrant deep blue titanium case and dial, and was limited to 25 pieces. The retail price was CHF 69,800.

However, no further Ref. 1967 models are planned for the near or medium term, as the team needs to focus on new models.

A Piece Unique in Steel with a Burgundy Dial

Just as many began to wonder if the deep blue variant would be the final Ref. 1967 colorway, a new version quietly surfaced in April this year. This time, it was a piece unique featuring a rich burgundy dial, commissioned by A Collected Man for a prominent client. The deep burgundy hue extended to the hour markers, including the 3, 6, 9, and 12 in Eastern Arabic numerals. To complete the look, the watch was paired with a matching burgundy leather strap.

The dial side also revealed a thoughtful decorative touch. The movement plate beneath the transparent sapphire chapter ring was finished with a gratté pattern, created using fine, brush-like engravings. This clever use of the clear ring brought added texture and depth to the dial, showcasing an unusual and eye-catching decorating technique.

This piece unique was housed in a stainless steel case marked 01/01. It was sold privately, with the final price undisclosed.

A Third Piece Unique in Steel with a Black Dial

Another piece unique in a steel case was delivered to a happy client in April 2025, this time featuring a black dial. The hour markers, some rendered in Arabic numerals, are finished in white, offering a strong contrast against the dial. It appears that all three steel-cased piece uniques were commissioned through A Collected Man.

The Missing Few to Complete the Ref. 1967 Series

So far, we’ve identified 48 examples of the Ref. 1967 through publicly available information (10 + 10 + 25 + 3 = 48). Out of curiosity, I reached out to the Petermann Bédat team to see if any pieces had gone under the radar.

To my delight, they shared some of the most intriguing insights a watch enthusiast could hope for: a few seldom known examples that complete the entire Ref. 1967 series. Here they are:

An early yellow gold piece made for the brand’s very first client
A white gold version created for the designer who helped the founders in the beginning and re-made the design of dial and hands
A titanium prototype retained by the founders
A unique piece in titanium and rose gold for a special client
Two final pieces in platinum to mark the end of the reference, planned for delivery in 2026

That brings us to a total of 54 pieces of the Ref. 1967, produced between 2020 and 2026.

This represents an exceptionally limited run for a period of five to six years. So far, only one example has surfaced at auction. For most collectors, even seasoned ones, this reference has remained elusive.

Fortunately, for collectors still hoping to acquire a piece from Petermann Bédat, a new model is on the horizon, and it may come with greater availability.

The Upcoming New Model

Petermann Bédat has been developing a simple three-hand watch set to launch in 2025. To meet growing demand, this new model will not be a limited edition. However, availability will still be constrained by the brand’s production capacity.

It is reasonable to expect that the new watch will reflect the same design language and aesthetic codes seen in the Ref. 1967 and Ref. 2941. Given the brand’s track record, it is unlikely to disappoint.

Petermann Bédat currently works with three leading retail partners: The Hour Glass, A Collected Man, and Art in Time. If you already have a relationship with one of them, it would be wise to express your interest early. Alternatively, you can reach out to the brand directly through the contact information on its website.

We’ll wrap up with a few more photos of the breathtaking Petermann Bédat Ref. 1967.

References:

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