Tick & Talk with Pero Mamić: From a small watchmaking studio to Rolex

In a world where watches often become status symbols, there are few who still see them for what they originally were, precision instruments made to last and tell stories. In Croatia, only a few true masters of the craft understand this, and one of them is Mr. Pero Mamić, founder of the company Mamić 1970, premium boutique with the first official Rolex service center and dealership in the Republic of Croatia. For more than half a century, its name has stood alongside synonyms such as accuracy, trust, and superior craftsmanship, but what sets it apart is not just craftsmanship, but the belief that a watch is never just an object, but an emotional witness to time.

The story begins with the curiosity of a boy who loved to open his father's watches, watching how the gears create a perfect rhythm. That fascination soon grew into a calling, and in 1970 Pero Mamić opened his first watchmaking studio on Vlaška Street. Just seven years later, a call from Geneva came that changed everything. There, in front of Rolex experts in just an hour and a half, he proved his knowledge and precision. What followed was a recognition that happens once in a career – he became the first official Rolex repairer and representative in the then Yugoslavia.

Today, his name is spoken with the same respect among collectors as the names of the brands he works on, and Mr. Mamić is still actively involved in watch servicing, side by side with his sons and other family members.

We spoke with Mr. Mamić about how today's Rolex buyer differs from the one from forty years ago, whether he recognizes his own mark on watches and which watch in his collection has the greatest emotional value. Here's what we found out.

When you became an official Rolex servicer, what was going through your mind?

“Rolex has been admirable to me from the very beginning because of its high standards and dedication to handcraft. When such a brand stands behind your skills, it is an exceptional recognition. That moment brought a sense of pride, but also great responsibility. That is still the foundation of Mamić 1970 today – service expertise, customer relations and representing brands we trust.” - Pero Mamić

That sense of responsibility is still visible today in every detail of his work. The service area exudes precision, but it all comes down to one thought: trust is not gained overnight, it is built slowly.

If you could single out one moment in your career that left the strongest mark – what would it be?

Pero Mamić: That would be an invitation from Geneva and confirmation that I was becoming their official representative. It was proof that hard work and dedication are always recognized. That's a lesson I carry with me to this day.

Is there a model that particularly sticks in your memory as a technical challenge?

Pero Mamić: For me it is Cosmograph Daytona. Its complexity, stopwatch, sub-dials and tachometer always required extra concentration.

“It's a special charm when you get your hands on a rare vintage model from the sixties or seventies, I especially enjoy working on such models.” - Pero Mamić

What does servicing a Rolex consist of?

Pero Mamić: Servicing a Rolex can be described as a kind of “travel back in time”.

The watch is disassembled down to the last screw and each part undergoes ultrasonic cleaning. This is followed by a magnifying glass inspection – if even the smallest wheel does not meet standards, it is replaced with an original part. Then comes the re-lubrication, careful assembly and polishing of the case and bracelet, while the traces of time are literally erased from the watch.

Pero Mamić: Finally comes the most exciting moment – strict tests of precision and water resistance, almost like a dress rehearsal before returning to the owner. Standard models are ready in three to four weeks, and with older, collector's watches this process can take longer because it requires even more patience and attention. Each service ends with an international two-year warranty – a kind of seal that the watch is back to full life.

Do you recognize your own mark when you get a watch serviced again after ten or twenty years?

Pero Mamić: Yes, by the dedication to detail. The watches I have serviced still work flawlessly after 15 years. I always put a stamp on the cover with the date of service, but what remains recognizable is the uncompromising work.

It is this small mark that symbolizes perfection without the need for emphasis. At a time when luxury often means showing off, Mamić 1970 proves that true value lies in continuity and patience.

How is today's Rolex buyer different from the one from forty years ago?

Pero Mamić: The differences are huge. Today, everything is available online, clients come in highly educated about the technical features and history of the brand. Demand is higher than ever, and Rolex has further established itself as a status symbol. However, they are still looking for the same thing they were looking for before – the confidence that they are buying the right thing.

How did your personal taste develop?

Pero Mamić: Honestly, it has remained the same. I am attracted to classic, clean models. Today, watches like the Explorer with acrylic glass, older GMT models, or Submariners from previous generations that are no longer produced, but are an indispensable part of a rich history, are especially meaningful to me.

A watch requires order and maintenance. Does it promote any kind of life discipline?

Pero Mamić: Every watch carries a story about its owner. Through service you see different attitudes towards things, some watches arrive perfectly preserved, others full of traces of life. That's the beauty of this business, every piece is different.

Which watch in your collection has the greatest emotional value?

Pero Mamić: Oysterquartz Datejust Rolex , Ref. 17013, in steel and 18-karat gold. I've had many beautiful moments with it. I love simple and classic design, and this model embodies that perfectly.

If Rolex were to one day produce a model inspired by you, what would it be?

“Simple, classic, sturdy, 41 mm in size, without major complications. A watch that lasts for decades and follows everyday habits.” - Pero Mamić

Today, in addition to Rolex and TUDOR, their boutique also represents three world-renowned jewelry houses – Chaumet, Messika and Damiani. They bring pieces to the domestic market that can normally only be seen in world metropolises. While they are thoughtfully expanding their portfolio, it is equally important to them that standards and skills are passed down within the family: the younger generation sets new goals, but preserves the principles on which long-standing trust has been built.

What is the biggest lesson after more than 50 years of work?

Pero Mamić: Trust is built slowly and patiently. A watch is a precise instrument, but also an emotional object. The same goes for relationships with people – when you give them attention and work without compromise, it always comes back.

Through every word of Pero Mamić, one can feel the calmness of a man who has spent his life listening to mechanisms and people. His work is a reminder that precision and emotion can exist in perfect symmetry, just like in every Rolex that passes through his hands.

We are grateful for the opportunity to talk to Mr. Mamić, explore his world, and share the story behind this extraordinary family.

Photos: Martina Movrić