When did you have the idea to open a boutique, and what gave you the courage to take such a step?
CS: I wanted to have my own boutique as far back as during my apprenticeship as a watchmaker. It is allowed to dream a little...! After the apprenticeship, I went into sales at Interlaken, where I was able to become acquainted with a shop. I always had the idea of my own business in mind to a degree, and I imagined what I would do differently. However, I was well aware that such a dream should not be treated lightly. The contacts that I was able to build up over time resulted in a request. Thanks to the good business relationships of my family (a long-time supplier to the watch industry), things became tangible relatively quickly, and the adventure took its course. The brand was looking for a sales partner, and I had my dream of running my own business: it was a perfect match! With the first strong brand on board and my family, with all their great experience in the watch industry, behind me, I took the plunge. Other big brands then quickly followed, and things started to roll.

Who supports you in all this?
CS: Above all, my family. They are in the background, shedding light on questions with me, helping with decisions, and believing in my dream. Another important component is Elodie Richard, my former boss and now my right-hand woman in setting up the boutique. She is a very experienced project manager. On top of that, I have very good private and business circles, with lovely people who have a lot of experience and knowledge, whom I can ask for advice. 

How do you feel as a young businessman?
CS: Well, I do not yet see myself as a young businessman at all. I am only 25 years old. Everything is under construction. I am not alone, you see – I view us more as an extended family business. Perhaps that "young businessman" feeling will arise as soon as the business is opened.

What motivates you?
CS: Always getting better, of course, gaining experience, and creating an excellent network. I want to attract passionate customers who feel at home with us and who enjoy looking at our watches and jewellery in the shop. They usually already come with a lot of knowledge themselves, and I am always happy to exchange experiences with them. I want to turn customers into friends or partners!
I also would like to give something to the city of Biel-Bienne, to the people, and to use the immense, unfortunately unrecognised, potential here and show it to everyone. At Art du Temps, we think differently – we want to share our passion and not just sell. You can come and spend some time with us. The idea is for people to be able to pay us a visit without feeling forced to make a purchase. Until customers are able to purchase their dream piece, they can come here for information and inspiration. 

What awaits the visitors to your boutique?
CS: A pleasant ambience and the feeling of being welcome – unconditionally! We advise everyone in a competent manner and beyond what you normally get. We strive for long-term business relationships with our customers. Here, you come by, drink an excellent, home-roasted coffee, and meet friends or other watch and jewellery fans. The idea is for people to be able to talk shop and create beautiful moments. We create a place where you like to go and spend time.  

How did you convince these great brands to work with you?
CS: With our unique concept and our attention to detail, especially the shop design, with its unusual and natural materials. These have been worked within the interior with the utmost care and the highest level of expertise and craftsmanship. Our customer service is also different: we put people at the centre, not just the product. As a family business, we have long-standing relationships with the watch industry, and, so, these brands know us and place their trust in us. We have a new, innovative and different vision of business and sales. These brands value this as much as they do our way of working together and our personal relationships.

Did the complexity of your project surprise you?
CS: In a way, absolutely. I thought it would not be easy to reconcile all the requirements of the different brands, with their specifications. The considerable portion of time demanded by marketing did not surprise me. I was prepared for that. But everything related to the renovation tended to be unexpectedly complex for me. Our requirements in terms of materials, details and the elaboration of these have continued to evolve, and the scope of the project has increased accordingly.

Why is your project successful?
CS: Because of all the people involved, who put a lot of heart and soul into it, who take enormous joy in it all and are extremely committed!

What particular challenges have you mastered, or are you currently mastering?
CS: I had to learn how to delegate and coordinate in order to be efficient, and so that all the tradespeople were able to make the most their skills. The communication needs to be right. The timing, and thus the planning, of the construction site is also not entirely easy. Any delay, however small, results in further delays. I have learned to react quickly and efficiently. I am very happy to have good partners on board who have a lot of understanding and patience. And, last but not least, there's the entire personnel component. We want to be an exemplary employer.

Why Biel-Bienne?
CS: Because Biel-Bienne is my hometown. I am at home here, and my family and friends also live in the region. Our family business has always been in Biel-Bienne. I could not imagine any other place than the watch capital of Biel-Bienne.

Who do you want to appeal to?
CS: We want to appeal to exceptional watch and jewellery lovers, those who are interested, curious people, and customers with high demands who like a pleasant environment and who want competent advice. People who take time for beautiful things. We take all those who are interested and who would like to immerse themselves in the universe of watches or jewellery seriously, regardless of whether they want to buy something today, tomorrow or in the future. Everyone is treated the way we ourselves want to be treated. If people leave the boutique and look forward to coming back next time, that is what would give us the most pleasure.