COLLECTING
The next step focuses on thinning out the skin.
Camille Fournet abides by very strict standards and each
step undergoes stringent quality control.
A demonstration of the
work required to make
the straps.
Aside from its collection of in-house straps, Camille Fournet is
also equipped to manufacture custom-made products including
specific logos, colorways, finishes, engravings, and so on. If you
need a strap for your 1960s vintage timepiece and would like it
to look like it did when it came out of the watch factory all those
decades ago, Camille Fournet can do that. There is even a team
dedicated to working on prototypes and anticipating future trends—
this is where craft meets technology.
It was truly a fantastic experience for me to witness firsthand
how Camille Fournet creates its renowned watchstraps. However,
what struck me the most was the palpable pride each employee
had in their work and the prestigious marque they work for. I could
sense a feeling of ownership from all the craftspeople, like Zamila,
Mauricette, Sabine, and Romain that work on production.
These are artists who love each of their creations. Working at
86 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | WINTER 2020
Camille Fournet requires nine months of training and it takes a
minimum of three years to become a prototyper. But
occasionally, time is simply not enough; you need innate talent
too, such as when George showed me how to make a “Cousu
Main” (hand-sewn) bracelet.
Prestigious watch companies work with Camille Fournet, but
individuals can also order custom straps via Camille Fournet’s
website. It typically takes three to four weeks to receive a
custom watchstrap. Today, the manufacture makes around 5,000
watchstraps per year with boutiques in Paris, Tokyo, Beijing, and
maybe one day, in the United States.
On my way back to Paris, I reflected on the words that I heard during
the visit: quality, pride, respect, precision, training, and experience. And it is
clear that it is because of the people that work at Camille Fournet that the
brand is recognized the world over for its range of impeccable products.