Notes on Shona Taine and Watchmaking

On April 6, three new members were voted in: Anton Suhanov, Guo Ming, and Shona Taine.
Shona Taine is the youngest person ever admitted at 27.
She is also the first woman to be offered membership.

David Candaux proposed Taine for full membership.
He was captivated by her innovative approach and passion.
He noted her ability to merge tradition and innovation.
Her Khemea watch exemplifies her attention to detail.
Candaux also admires her constant desire to push the boundaries of watch design.

Taine was inspired by Prague's astronomical clock during a childhood visit.
She grew up in Pontarlier, near the Swiss border.
At 15, she enrolled in watchmaking school in Morteau.
The course was a six-year program comprising of three separate diplomas.
Initially, there were 45 students, but only 15 completed the program.
She had considered studying philosophy and literature and wanted a practical profession.

Taine worked in a service workshop, repairing Ebel chronograph watches.
She found the work repetitive and unfulfilling.
She wanted to learn and create many things, leading her to create her own watch.
She left her job and created her company the day before her 22nd birthday.

Taine realized she lacked considerable knowledge despite six years of study.
She sought out watchmakers to learn techniques and improve her skills.
She worked in Olivier Mory's atelier, a supplier of tourbillon movements.
She created her debut watch, the Khemea.
The Khemea features a modified tourbillon, moonphase display, calendar, and a 100-hour power reserve.
This watch impressed the AHCI members.
Fellow graduates of the watchmaking school initially alerted AHCI to her talents.

The Khemea combines traditional watch design with futuristic, biomorphic shapes.
Taine draws inspiration from nature, using floral and fluid shapes in the logo and movement components.
The watch has garnered an admiring audience, with several pieces sold before completion.

Taine has rejected investor proposals to maintain her independence and grow at her own pace.
She self-financed through subcontracting work.
She received support and advice from her parents, partner, and friends.
They provided time, advice, support, and even lent her savings.

Taine balances business demands with teaching at her former watchmaking school.
She is in high demand from educational foundations across the industry.
Her profile inspires younger generations, particularly girls, to pursue watchmaking.

Taine understands the interest in her story but doesn't want to be defined by her gender.
She notes that while many women work in the watch industry, they are rarely entrepreneurial or lead companies.
There are signs of change, with watchmaking classes now having a fifty-fifty gender ratio, compared to only two girls in her class.