The story of 47ZERO is that of a new beginning, born from the desire to transform adversity into creativity. It is the story of a rebirth after an event that changed the life of Cormac Hanley, the founder of the brand.
Originally from Ireland, Cormac already had a thriving career in advertising and photography before moving to France with his wife and three young children in 2007. However, in 2017 his life took an unexpected turn when he suffered a stroke at the age of 47.
"I had to relearn everything - speech, movement, walking. I regained most of my abilities, to varying degrees, and I needed a new challenge within my reach given my new limits,” Cormac explains.
During his long period of rehabilitation, Cormac discovered his passion for watchmaking. “In addition to allowing me to continue to be creative, it was an activity to which I could dedicate myself step by step, compatible with my new abilities,” he recalls.
Still young and with three teenagers to support, he was determined to create a new future. He undertook a professional reconversion course in watchmaking in Annecy, located just 30 minutes from Geneva, the heart of Swiss watchmaking.
With his wife Gráinne, they founded their own watch brand in January 2023, marking the start of a new adventure for the couple. They set up their start-up in a business incubator in Greater Annecy. They joined local professional networks and benefited from the support of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Haute-Savoie.
Cormac, now having free rein, designed and created unique models handcrafted by himself. Each watch tells a story, mixing spirit and philosophy.
For example, the “Date-at-Eight” model is one of the few watches to display the date at number 8 on the dial. For Cormac, this is a reminder of the importance of this moment at the end of the day, which should never be taken for granted. A simple dinner with friends or a moment with family becomes invaluable.
This is precisely what the brand's slogan, "LIFE>TIME", embodies: the idea that it's up to us to decide whether we just count down the years or continue to live our dreams to the fullest. The birth of 47ZERO is the result of this decision, a tribute to perseverance and creativity in the face of adversity.
At the heart of 47ZERO are deep values that shape every watch we create. Understanding our vision and philosophy is essential to grasping the uniqueness of our creations. Here's an overview of what we stand for.
Quality
Combining craftsmanship and watchmaking excellenceOur passion for watchmaking goes beyond simply creating watches. It is based on solid technical training and in-depth knowledge of Swiss watchmaking. We have chosen to use quality Swiss movements, a guarantee of reliability for our customers. For us, quality is a pledge of confidence.
Positivity
Each watch, guardian of positive storiesEach of our creations carries a story, a positive message. We believe that watches are much more than just instruments for measuring time. They are guardians of precious moments, reminding those who wear them that every day.
Uniqueness
The art of individualityIn a world where mass production is commonplace, we stand for uniqueness. Every 47ZERO watch is hand finished, making each piece truly unique. Our dials are canvases on which we express our creativity, and no two watches are the same. Our artisan process allows us to offer a variety of designs without sacrificing individuality. At 47ZERO, uniqueness is a fundamental value.
The process of creating our watches is a journey that goes far beyond the simple assembly of mechanical components. Each 47ZERO watch is the result of an experience or a story, a message embodied in a tangible object. As a designer and watchmaker, I want to guide you through the steps that bring our creations to life.
Metal is our canvas, and we explore it with passion.
Each 47ZERO watch is the result of meticulous work, including metal ingraving, oxidation, texture, and personalized colorings. These processes require time and experimentation, because we do not seek the monotony of mass production. Our commitment to the exception pushes us to create unique pieces.
Our dials are held in place with visible hand-polished screws, a detail that embodies our commitment to the authenticity of our work. While most watches hide these fixings, we proudly display them, emphasising the connection between watchmaker and designer. This fusion of mechanics and aesthetics is the distinctive feature of every 47ZERO watch.
Creating a 47ZERO watch involves rigorous steps, from design through to the preparation of the materials, CNC and laser engraving of the dials to manual finishing. Each part is then ready for assembly, each step requiring careful quality control. From the lubrication of the seals to the chronometer tests, every detail counts to guarantee the quality and reliability of our watches.
47ZERO's passion and commitment to creating unique watches has not escaped the press.
Un article passionnant mettant en avant notre marque et nos montres, une référence pour les amateurs de montres.
Une couverture dans le prestigieux magazine Irish Tatler, partageant notre histoire et notre philosophie.
Une vidéo YouTube captivante qui met en avant 47ZERO et nos créations uniques, un contenu visuel à ne pas manquer.
We are proud to be recognised by the media and to share our passion with a wider audience. These articles and videos are a testament to our dedication to artisanal watchmaking and creating exceptional timepieces.