An Interview with Tristan Joe

How long have you worked here?

I have just had my 7 year work anniversary.

Describe your role at Partridge Jewellers, including any areas of expertise:

In my time at Partridge I’ve been fortunate to have had a number of different roles in different places which has kept things very dynamic and exciting. My most recent is managing our watch boutique and brands at 44 Queen St. which is home to watch brands under the Richemont umbrella. These include Cartier, Roger Dubuis, Jaeger LeCoultre, IWC, Panerai, and Vacheron Constantin.

In conjunction with this I am privileged to be the Tudor brand manager for Partridge which affords the excitement of working with some of Tudor’s sponsored athletes and teams including the All Blacks and Black Ferns. My experience has been predominantly managing our stores which stock exclusively watches (aside from the Airport) which has led to a specialisation with watches however in the early days I was able to work with Glenn in his boutique at 112 Queen St, where I learnt about jewellery, precious stones, and bespoke work and also completed my Applied Jewellery Professional education with the Gemological Institute of America.

What is your favourite part about working in the luxury sector?

The people that we meet in this industry are what keep me coming back each and every day. Of course the products we offer are wonderful but it is the relationships with clients, colleagues, and suppliers that make this business so special.

What is the secret to your sales technique?

Matching the person with the product. I want my clients to be walking out of the door with something they really love and I’ll do my best to guide them to that decision themselves.

You had the opportunity to go to Watches and Wonders last year, what was a professional highlight? And a personal one?

WW23 was an incredible opportunity; after many years in the industry it was a privilege to be able to attend with our Partridge contingent. Watches & Wonders really sets the stage for the coming year and creates so much buzz and excitement within the community both with retailers and our clients. Of course the “Touch and Feel” opportunities with each of the Maisons and their latest product and being able to share this back to the teams was fantastic but for a true professional highlight being able to attend with Grant and Glenn who have many more years of experience and to learn from this was invaluable. However cliched it may be, I'm a lover of food and wine, and to travel through Europe with our team enjoying the local gems was very special. Partridge is truly a family business where it is as if you are always around your friends!

What are your predictions for Watches and Wonders 2024?

The watch brands are masters of delivering the least expected, and retrospectively it often makes sense but is not so often what you see and hear predicted from the community. I’d suggest that this year we may see a resurgence of yellow gold. It has been a point of frustration recently that rose gold has taken a front seat and many of the brands subsequently reduced their yellow gold offerings. With this it has become more challenging to deliver on client requests and so it would be exciting to have some new models to offer our clients looking for a yellow gold watch!

Do you have a favourite product(s)? What is it and why?

We are very fortunate to represent such a diversity of premier watch and jewellery brands at Partridge. For me to narrow it down to a single favourite product would be impossible but within different criteria there are standouts for me. To me Roger Dubuis Excalibur collection has mastered the skeletonised watch and incorporated the Geneva Seal certification which you can really see in the finishing of the movement. For a dress watch I love the elegance of the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso, particularly the Monoface Tribute in rose gold with silver sunray dial (Ref. Q7132521). 

If you could buy something from Partridge Jewellers today, what would it be?

If it was a watch it would probably be the aforementioned Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso. For jewellery, we are soon to introduce a new range of diamond bracelets for men which we first saw in Geneva last year that I’m confident will be a hit! 

What is your one piece of advice to those purchasing a watch?

Buy what speaks to you! Your friends, colleagues, etc. will always have an opinion and I see so many clients’ choices being influenced by their peers. Only you will know the “right watch” and it is so important to listen to your own voice.

What is your one piece of advice to those purchasing jewellery?

Buying jewellery can be a daunting task. I remember before Partridge visiting a jewellery store and it can be so overwhelming. The most important thing is to find an expert that you trust. Our teams in each boutique can guide you through this without pressure. There are so many variables between diamonds and precious gems so to have somebody that can explain this clearly makes a world of difference when it comes to choosing your perfect piece.

What is one of your favourite things to do outside of work? 

If I’m not at work then you’ll likely find me on a golf course!

Tristan is based at Partridge 44 Queen Street Boutique, Auckland.