In Conversation With Claire Berthet, CEO Of Charles Oudin, On The 227-Year Journey From Place Vendôme To India
8 min read
On the polished grounds of Place Vendôme, where the world's most prestigious watchmakers compete for attention through spectacle and scale, one family-run house has chosen a different path entirely. Charles Oudin, the independent French maison now in its fifth generation, is preparing to make its Indian debut at the inaugural India Watch Weekend 2026, carrying with it a philosophy that feels increasingly radical in today's luxury landscape: that intimacy, not volume, is the ultimate luxury. The house that once created a tactile tact repeater for Empress Joséphine in 1805 has evolved into something that defies easy categorization. It is not trying to be the loudest voice in the room. Instead, under the stewardship of Claire Berthet and her sister Carole, who represent the fifth generation since 1888, Charles Oudin has quietly positioned itself as what they call the most human house on Place Vendôme, a distinction that becomes more meaningful with each passing year.
Since joining the family business in 2005, Claire has spent nearly two decades managing client relationships, and what she has discovered challenges much of what the luxury watch industry assumes about women and their desires. "Women across generations, and even from a young age, choose Charles Oudin because our watches are refined, feminine and timeless," Claire explained. "At Charles Oudin, simplicity is perceived as a luxury, and personalization fosters a deeper, more meaningful connection than ostentation. While the industry often promotes 'spectacular' femininity, many women seek quiet, subtle elegance that feels personal, emotional, and unique."
This understanding has manifested in an unexpected trend that reveals something profound about how women view legacy and value. "We are also seeing more and more mothers, already clients themselves, purchasing Oudin watches for their daughters, sometimes even as birth gifts," Claire shared. "While they often mention the investment aspect, in my view these forward-thinking mothers are primarily motivated by values: they wish to share their taste for timeless elegance. In these cases, the watch becomes much more than a timepiece; it is a symbol of refinement, family connection, and continuity, a time telling jewel that carries both emotion and legacy across generations." Claire and Carole represent a continuation of their father Camille's vision when he took over the house in 1998. "My sister and I represent the fifth generation continuing our family's watchmaking tradition, which began in 1888," Claire reflected. "Since 1998, we are carrying forward the spirit of our roots, in alignment with our father Camille Berthet's vision for the French watchmaking house Charles Oudin. Faithful to the Made in France, limited editions, and bespoke creations, the maison favors proportion, refinement, and a dialogue with the decorative arts while guarantee a reliable mechanic."
What emerges from this heritage is something that transcends mere craft. "Inheriting an artisanal savoir-faire built on gesture, detail, and respect for time, Charles Oudin embodies a vision of luxury that moves, luxury that whispers, deeply cultural, personal, and timeless," Claire said, capturing the essence of what makes the house distinct in a market often dominated by louder voices. At India Watch Weekend, Charles Oudin will be surrounded by major Swiss brands with vast marketing budgets, yet the house remains unfazed by the competition. When asked how they compete with intimacy, Claire's answer reveals the core of their philosophy. "Charles Oudin is the most human of watch houses because it remains independent and family-owned, the family is welcoming clients personally at Place Vendôme and traveling to meet them wherever they are," she explained.
Guided by respect and operating on a human scale, the maison does not compete through volume or spectacle, but through presence, attention, and memory. Each exchange becomes a source of inspiration, rooted in the belief that genuine human connection is the rarest and most precious luxury of all." This whispered luxury takes tangible form in an unusual degree of personalization that has been central to the house since its founding. "Offering personalization has been at the heart of Charles Oudin's approach since 1797," Claire noted. "Exceptional watches have been made for remarquable clientele such as The Emperess Joséphine, Emperess Eugénie, Napoléon III, Czar and Czarina of Russia. The house savoir-faire is to highlight and magnify the uniqueness of each client thanks to personalization such as gold color, shape of the watch, dial prints and finishing, monograms, coats of arms."
When it comes to balancing client desires with the integrity of a 227-year-old maison, the approach is one of cultural exchange rather than constraint. "In India, particularly among women of power and spirit, heirloom pieces are conceived as living objects rather than possessions. When a client orders a Charles Oudin timepiece, we are glad to exchange and learn about them and about their culture," Claire said. "We rarely face a refusal as the customers, when choosing us, also embrace part of the French culture and 2-century brand history built on trust and sense of style." The philosophy extends to how they view each client relationship. "As we like to say, A Charles Oudin watch is more than a style ally. It's the most beautiful way to celebrate your singularity and your own equation of time. The Real time is your time," Claire offered, distilling the house's approach into a simple yet profound statement. The creative tension at the heart of the maison's designs stems from an unlikely source: Claire's childhood. "Growing up in a very modern, architect-designed house while being surrounded by a family business deeply rooted in history created a constant dialogue within us," she reflected. "This coexistence between respect for heritage, craftsmanship, and continuity, and a daily familiarity with modernity, clean lines, space, and light naturally shaped the philosophy of Charles Oudin."
This duality manifests most clearly in their collections. "The Retro collection embodies this creative tension between heritage and modernity: an architectural and geometric approach, pure lines, subtle Art Deco references, and bold colors, vibrant brillant cut diamonds while remaining anchored in classical balance and Parisian elegance," Claire described. "When I look at our differents collections, I see the fusion of area and styles, the heritage filtered through a contemporary eye and making. Crafted in our Jura manufacture, our watches combine contemporary techniques with centuries-old horological tradition, high precision, and a deep respect for the object itself. This duality taught me that modernity does not mean breaking with history; the most authentic designs emerge where memory and contemporary life meet."
The sisterly partnership that guides the house today demonstrates their human approach in practice. "Although we have a classic front-of-house/back-of-house split, Carole and I share the same vision for the brand, even if our day-to-day roles naturally push us toward different priorities," Claire explained.. "She brings a clear eye to operational realities and technical constraints, while I tend to encourage risk-taking, evolution, and pushing ourselves creatively for our Customers, which are our priority." What makes this partnership work is the depth of their connection. "The real luxury is that we do this as family, with deep trust and complicity. Having known each other inside-out for so long allows us to move quickly and honestly, and we are ultimately united by the same commitment to Both satified the customer and delivering products that are beautifully made, meaningful, and built to last," Claire shared.
What makes Charles Oudin particularly compelling for the Indian market is a philosophical alignment that predates any business strategy. The historical parallel is striking. "In 1805, Charles Oudin created a tactile tact repeater for Empress Joséphine, already a watch conceived for a woman of power, presence, and intuition," Claire noted. "When I meet Indian collectors today, I do sense a distinct and deeply resonant relationship with heirloom pieces, particularly among women. In India, women are women of strength and spirit, and it is a true honor when they commission us to create bespoke timepieces."
The difference in how Indian collectors approach heirloom pieces has left a profound impression on Claire. "The relationship feels less about possession and more about continuation. The piece is meant to live—to be worn, seen, and celebrated. It gathers meaning through ceremonies, family milestones, and repetition, and is often imagined, from the very beginning, in the hands of the next generation," she observed. "There are many occasions in Indian culture to gather and wear beautiful jewels, and this gives timepieces a living, emotional role that is both powerful and deeply inspiring for us as a maison." After nearly two decades of building relationships, the most meaningful moments come from witnessing generations unfold. "From my 20 years of experience, I have had the privilege of building Relationship with three generations of customers. I truly cherish these long-term connections, as they allow me to witness life milestones and share the personal stories behind each watch," Claire reflected. "For me, the joy of this work goes far beyond the timepieces themselves, it is about continuity, trust, and the bond that develops over decades."
The boutique on Place Vendôme has become a place where time collapses in the most beautiful way. "We love welcoming guests in Paris, in the family salons 8 place Vendôme and visiting them when we have the chance," Claire added. "At our boutique on Place Vendôme, we also welcome heirs who wish to learn more about the antique Charles Oudin watches passed down from their ancestors. It is truly exceptional to exchange with them, to explore the history and heritage of these timepieces, and to see the legacy of the maison come alive through the next generation. These encounters remind me that Charles Oudin is not just about creating beautiful watcheS, it is about connecting people across time."
As Charles Oudin prepares for India Watch Weekend 2026, the excitement is palpable and rooted in genuine curiosity. "We are established in Europe and Middle East; India is a new and exciting market for us," Claire says. "I imagine a deep appreciation for both jewellery and watches, making it a unique space where collectors and enthusiasts enjoy gathering, sharing, and wearing exceptional pieces." Her vision for the inaugural event reflects the house's broader philosophy. "Therefore, joining the inaugural India Watch Weekend is a fantastic opportunity to exchange with passionate Watch and jewellery lover, discover their culture, desire. We will share the taste and heritage of Charles Oudin. I believe these inspiring conversations will lead to collaborations in this vibrant market that is India. Looking forward!" Claire concluded.
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