Bastien Vuilliomenet is a watchmaker, designer and co-founder of the independent brand 'Lundi Bleus'.

1. Describe briefly your childhood.

I grew up in a rural part of the canton of Neuchâtel called the Val-de-Ruz. Mostly, I was an introverted kid more interested in spending time in my room rather than playing outside with friends or my brother. As far as I can remember, I always had passions to keep my mind busy, thus never experiencing boredom! Basically, a very nice and quiet childhood.

2. As a child did you have any driving ambition?

When I was little, I remember that I wanted to be rich! This has been off the table for a long while now and I’m more than ok with it (laughs)!

On another note, at the age of 8 or 9 my mother forced me to take lessons of acrobatic rock’n’roll. At first I was reluctant, but it soon became an addiction and for most of the next 15 years or so it was my devouring passion. I even became a Swiss Champion and member of both the junior and senior Swiss teams with my dance partner. At some point I would have loved to become a professional dancer, but that was just a fantasy. Although I’m glad of having taken the watchmaking path, I can say without a doubt that the years of intensive sport taught me many important values that I carry on today: tenacity, stamina and fairness.

3. What is your first significant memory as a child?

This is a tough one… Maybe the first time I won a dance competition, but I must say that I don’t have the most efficient memory there is (laughs)!

4. Have you ever had another profession?

I have been a watchmaker, a salesperson in fine jewellery, a watch designer, a watch product manager… and now with Lundis Bleus, I’m at least a watchmaker, a salesperson, a watch designer and a watch product manager all at the same time… plus an entrepreneur and an enameller! Although everything is connected to watchmaking, I’ve had a fairly diversified career so far. Who knows what’s next?

5. What made you decide to go in the direction you are currently in?

A mix of passion and curiosity. I kind of hate/love the word “passion” as it is powerful, but widely overused and/or misused, but I genuinely believe that it is one of the engines that led me to be where I am today. If I’m also very honest, frustration is also a part of it. The frustration you can have as a creative person when you are only one link in the chain and the difficulty it creates for you to feel deeply involved or concerned about a project, the difficulty of having it make sense.

6. What’s the worst job you’ve had to do?

Designing watches I found ugly… and I had to do my fair share of it (laughs)!

7. What’s been the hardest moment in your life so far, and how did you overcome it?

Besides losing beloved ones as everybody does, I see one thing. At the age of 20, my acrobatic rock’n’roll “career” stopped instantly after my dance partner was injured during a difficult acrobatic figure (fortunately not seriously, but fear was then part of the equation and that is not compatible with such activities). It was like my world was collapsing, but I had to move on. I focused on watchmaking and decided to become a product designer, which I did. This adverse episode in my life taught me resilience.

8. Who has had the strongest influence on you?

I can’t think of one person in particular. I think that all the people I have met, for the better or the worse, have helped to shape who I am today.

9. What are you most proud of?

Should I have a child I would say that, but I don’t. So, without a doubt, “Lundis Bleus” is the thing I’m the most proud of, and for learning the difficult art of enamelling all by myself.

10. What advice would you give to a 20 something someone thinking of taking a similar path as you?

Find what thrills you and go for it. Be patient. Be curious. Be who you are, and be kind (laughs)! Try, fail and start all over again and again to become better at what you love to do.

11. Name three things on your bucket list.

Develop a new model for Lundis Bleus. Introduce Lundis Bleus to new audiences and meet more of my customers across the world. Travel to places I’ve not been yet and go back to places I’ve loved.

12. Where do you think the industry is going to be in 10 years time?

It will be where it will be. And I’ll deal with it!

Find out more about Bastien Vulliomenet