The Naked Watchmaker 2020 - Interview with Vartkess Knadjian
1. Briefly describe your childhood.
I am Armenian, born in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. My father a graduate of the Ecole D’Horlogerie of Geneva had a business importing fine Swiss watches to Ethiopia.
Growing up in Ethiopia was very exciting- great outdoor life- camping and with a very international group of people.
2. As a child did you have any driving ambition?
My father was my hero and I wanted to be a watchmaker like him and take over his business.
3. What is your first significant memory as a child?
Accompanying my father to his workshop – sitting by his side as he worked on watches.
4. Have you ever had another profession?
I was trained as a ‘diamantaire’ – I joined Backes & Strauss in 1976 straight out of University- and was trained to be a diamond buyer- I had to sit with Master diamond polishers to learn the whole process of polishing a diamond- and then with sorters to learn how to sort diamonds and then with traders to learn about pricing in what was then an imperfect market!
5. What made you decide to go in the direction you are currently in?
The diamond business became commoditised – with grading reports, price lists adding value became very difficult. I wanted to leverage on the history and heritage of Backes & Strauss- my background in watches and diamonds to create a high-end diamond timepieces brand. This would not have been possible without the friendship of Vartan Sirmakes of Franck Muller.
6. What’s the worst job you’ve had to do?
First day of work at Backes & Strauss in August 1976 I was given a box full of empty diamond ‘parcel papers’ with pencil markings on them- I had to erase them!
7. What’s been the hardest moment in your life so far, and how did you overcome it?
I am facing it right now with the unknown economic consequences of the Corona Virus!
8. Who has had the strongest influence on you? (What are your greatest inspirations?)
Without a doubt my father.
9. What are you most proud of?
My family
10. What advice would you give to a 20 something someone thinking of taking a similar path as you?
When I was 20- 45 years ago we were all encouraged to choose a career and follow it religiously! I would say today- stand back and see how technology is evolving- there is no rush to commit!
11. Name three things on your bucket list.
1. Writing my memoires – covering an exciting life.
2. Spending long summer holidays with my children and their families.
3.Running a Marathon with my son!
12. Where do you think the industry is going to be in 10 years’ time?Good question!
Technology and AI is certainly going to influence the future of the industry- but in the high end we will still need the craftsmen to create the special pieces that need the human experience and touch.