Keeper Of Time

Aurélie Picaud, Timepieces Director at Fabergé does not like to rest on her past laurels. She moves from one project to another writing great stories for history of timepieces.

- Nidhi Raj Singh

Aurélie Picaud, Timepieces Director, Fabergé is one of the few women at the helm of the watchmaking company. There is not a ‘typical’ working day in her life and she feels lucky that her remit is so diverse. Juggling different tasks— strategy, product development, production, after-sales, client events, watch trainings— Aurélie has created a formidable line of watches under the Fabergé brand.

Talking to us exclusively from Geneva about exciting things in the pipeline, Aurélie shares her insight about the watch industry and where India stands in their priority list. Excerpts from the interview:

There has been a big development in the watch industry recently when Baselworld and SIHH decided to coordinate their dates. Do you think it’s good news and is a way forward?

The watch industry, like every other sector, needs to adapt to meet clients’ needs and remain relevant. So, coordinating dates to be more convenient is indeed a sensible approach.

Where does India figure on Fabergé timepiece priority list? Have you profiled Indian watch connoisseurs as your potential customers?

Fabergé is part of the Gemfields Group that has offices in Jaipur, Rajasthan and regularly attends the plethora of jewellery and gemstone fairs.

We are always fascinated by the creative use of colour in India, which is a real source of inspiration. In fact, Faberge’s love of colour seems a natural fit for the Indian market. I see India as a great opportunity and look forward to developing a presence in the future.

Where, according to you, does the watch industry stand today, given that the luxury market witnessed a slump earlier, but is in a better space now?