Team portrait: meeting Teresa, watchmaker Charlie Paris

Today, we introduce you to Teresa, 38 years old, mother of two daughters, a passionate watchmaker who joined the Charlie Paris team in 2023. With several years of experience within the Swatch Group, notably servicing Omega watches, Teresa now works in our Parisian workshop.

Tell us a little about yourself and your background in watchmaking.

From a very young age, I've always been drawn to intricate things. I loved taking apart small objects, understanding how the mechanisms worked, and observing the movement of the parts. Very quickly, I realized that what I truly loved was precision work, attention to detail… and art, in all its forms. So, the day I discovered that there was a training program in watchmaking, I thought, "Why not?" And I've never regretted that choice. This profession has become a passion, a blend of technique, history, and aesthetics that resonates deeply with me.

What does a typical day look like for a watchmaker?

My days start at 9 a.m., and the first thing I do is prepare my workspace. Everything must be perfectly clean, without a single speck of dust. The work environment in watchmaking is sacred. Then, I begin by checking the watches that were repaired the day before, to ensure everything is functioning as expected. From there, I handle after-sales service requests until noon: disassembly, diagnosis, repair… Each watch has its own story and its own unique challenge.

The afternoon is often dedicated to assembling new watches. Before starting, I clean my workstation again, because precision demands impeccable hygiene. Each component is handled with care, followed by the methodical storage of the used parts. Every movement is deliberate. It's a profession where rigor is second nature.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in watchmaking?

I would say first and foremost that it's a profession of passion. You have to enjoy taking your time, observing, understanding, and starting over. For those who wish to discover this world, I often recommend the book *La Théorie Horlogère* (Watch Theory). It's an excellent foundation for understanding the fundamentals, discovering movements, functions… It provides a comprehensive and fairly accessible overview of this fascinating world. But beyond books, you need a genuine desire to learn and to work with patience.

Why did you join Charlie Paris?

What appealed to me about Charlie Paris was, first and foremost, the fact that it was a French house which assembles its watches in Paris. There's a real commitment behind this desire to do everything locally, to preserve expertise here in France. Furthermore, I greatly appreciate human-scale companies. At Charlie, you feel like you're part of a team. The relationships are simple, direct, and based on trust. And you can feel that everyone here shares a passion for watchmaking.

Do you have a favorite Charlie Paris model?

Yes, I have a bit of a soft spot for the Initial 36. Its balance, its proportions, its understated yet elegant aesthetic… It's a very charming watch, very well designed. It perfectly embodies what I love about watchmaking: the finesse of detail, without being over the top.