Par Noha Bois-Triquet
Published on 18 Jul 22 at 11:52
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The bijouterie in Vallin-Simone at Window is a institution. John Vallin, founder why historic tradecomes from d’Angers. From a family of watchmakersthe young man then receives his formation at his uncle in Mortain, in the English Channel. Then, employee in Fougèreshe will meet a friend of his Vitrean cousin, who will later become his wife: Simonne Vallin. Hence its installation in the city.
From workshop to store
It is then, in 1953which Jean Vallin opens in Vitré a watchmaking workshoplocated rue Baudrairie. “My dad, when he was still active, was a true professionalvery attached to his studio. My mum, who worked at Pinel-Citroën, then came to work with him on sales,” explains Céline Vallin. It’s a turning.
The workshop then takes on another dimension. It develops and becomes a real business.
–Move
The workshop now sells products and is not no longer just a watchmaking workshop. On this occasion, the spouses leave their premises of rue Baudrairie and settled boulevard Saint-Martin. We are in 1962.
Later, Céline Vallin, their daughter, has the possibility of take over the family business, on the occasion of the retirement of his parents. “So in the Faculty of Sciences, my mother explained to me that I still needed the basics to take up the torch. I then took training in computer management,” explains the shopkeeper.
Family formation
It’s in 1993 that Céline Vallin and her husband Hervé Simonessa, an electronics engineer by training, both take over the jewelry business. Hervé Simonessa is then trained by his stepfatherJean Vallin, in order to make live the workshop.
The family jewelry store moved a third time in its history, in 1999. The second generation of jewelers arrives in its current premises, rue Duguesclin. “This goodwill was historically a jewelry store who had occupied the premises for decades.
Today, the Vallin-Simonessa jewelry store is the last workshop of watchmaking, jewelery and engraving in the city. A valuable know-how. The jewelry store has trained watchmakers who work today for major brands as Breitling, Audemars Piguet or Jaeger-Lecoultre.
–Course addiction
During this family history, the habits have changed a lot and developments did not miss.
We are losing the habit of buying quality beauty.
” We are very dependent on the price of gold, which has fluctuated greatly depending on the years since the creation of the jewelry store. » Today, gold and diamonds are very expensive.
Soon to be in his seventies
For now, trade is doing well and the activity is sustainable, in particular thanks to a loyal customers. It also counts an employee.
But over all these years, it has sometimes been necessary to fight to maintain its activity. “As in 1970in my parents’ time, where the jewelry was completely robbedor more recently the year the rue Duguesclin was closed for several months during the holidays, it was a hard time “, remembers Céline Vallin.
The jewelers, who will celebrate the 70 ans d’existence of their family business next year, therefore wish to perpetuate trade : “We hope to keep this beautiful job,” confides the couple.
Vallin-Simonessa jewelry store; 24 rue Duguesclin; 02.99.75.06.33
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