Michele Watch

A Tale of 3 Generations
Maurice Barouh taught his son Jack the essentials of watchmaking — patience and a dedication to quality. It was an education in both the business and the craft of the industry, a lesson which Jack combined with his own interest in design.

Jack and his wife, Rita, who grew up in Geneva, moved to Panama in the 1970's to help run the family business as well as to begin their own family. While there, Jack's watches garnered great attention from the Latin American market because of their innovative designs. After several years in Panama, Jack and Rita moved their two young children, Jeremy and Michele, to Miami, where they started Michele Watches, named for their daughter. The very first Michele Watch, the CSX Diamond, was just the beginning of many more collections to come.

Jack's knowledge of the mechanics involved in watch production gave him the tools to focus on both construction and style. "My interest in design was immediately sparked once I understood the components," he said. "It's all about quality and individualism." The lessons of the past have not been lost on the third generation of watchmakers in the Barouh family. Both Michele and Jeremy credit the brand's success to their parents' enthusiasm and perseverance. "Patience lies in the craft of making the watch, in allowing the brand to develop, and in caring about the end product," explained Michele. However, she believes that the company must stay up-to-date in terms of fashion so that they can maintain the competitive edge that sets them apart from other brands in the industry.