Mélanie Didier, is an expert in Art history and Watchmaking history, she has worked in the watch industry for over 16 years.

1. Describe briefly your childhood

I had a very happy childhood living in Franche-Comté (France) between city in winter and countryside during the summer holidays. I grew up with my sister and all the animals I found near my house. I have always loved cats because of their spirit of independence and their freedom and little girl, I was always surrounded by cats that I preferred to my dolls. I got around all day on my bike and spent a lot of time with the neighbourhood kids.

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

From a young age, I have dreamed of working in a museum. I was the one who dragged my mom every Wednesday afternoon to the art museum in the town where I lived. I have always loved culture, heritage, museums, and the place they occupy in our society.

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

I don't have a specific one, I have plenty. I remember my summer vacation in the countryside, they are great memories!

4. Have you ever had another profession?

Yes, my first job was to give French lessons to non-French speaking adults. I mainly worked for a school that welcomed Chinese students in Geneva. I realized that the teaching profession is fascinating and challenging because a class doesn't always go as planned and you must improvise sometimes.

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

These are the Egyptian mummies. I spent hours looking at them and trying to see if I could see a piece of bone under the bands. But it was my parents who transmitted this curiosity to me about everything and especially art in general. So I naturally chose to study art history at the University because it well covered my desire to open up to the world I was looking for because when you study art, you also study geopolitics, economics, history, sociology… and that's all I liked.

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

I have been immensely fortunate to always do what I enjoy professionally. I have always worked in the field that fascinates me. But as a student, I worked one summer in a supermarket to earn some money and I didn't like the experience so much so I redoubled my efforts to achieve my goals.

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

Like everyone, I have had some hard times, either professionally or in my personal life. To overcome those tricky times, I always trust my intuition and my lucky star; until then they have always brought me luck.

I would also tend to have few days of reflection before acting and I would always keep focused on my target. It has helped me a lot to have the support of my family, my colleagues, or my friends to get through these times.

8. Who has had the strongest influence on you?

Many people have had an influence on me, especially the women in my family. They taught me to be strong and independent, that's how I was raised.

9. What are you most proud of?

I am proud of all that I have accomplished personally and professionally having worked for Patek Philippe and Jaeger Lecoultre has been an amazing period of my life both achieved due to my determination and willpower.

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

Believe that anything is possible and above all never stop following your dreams. We must also try to anticipate changes because they will be more and more frequent at all levels. We saw this clearly during the pandemic that we have been experiencing for two years.

11. Name three things on your bucket list?

For sure I have more than 3 things on my bucket list but if I must choose three:

- Write a book

- Open an art foundation

- Pass on what little I know to future generations

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

I think that creativity, innovation, authenticity, and humanity will be the focus! I also hope that old watchmaking will come back to the fore as it has been forgotten for several years and it is such a shame because some objects are absolutely fantastic.

To learn more about Mélanie Didier