Mel Barrett, of Clerestone Watches.
Camera IconMel Barrett, of Clerestone Watches. Credit: Supplied/David Baylis d466127

Clerestone Watches: Swan View resident and dad start watch company

Lucy JarvisMidland Kalamunda Reporter

Swan View resident Mel Barrett and her father Chris, who lives in New South Wales, recently launched Clerestone Watches.

“My fondest childhood memories are of collecting gemstones and rocks in the WA outback and the Northern Territory,” she said.

“I have a small collection of Seiko timepieces that sparked my love of watches.”

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Mr Barrett said his grandfather owned a watch repair shop.

“In 1970 he gave me a watch with sapphire and ruby hour markers that I still have today,” he said.

“This watch forms part of the inspiration for Clerestone.

“Our family has always been collecting rocks. In the late ‘90s I made several mantelpiece clocks from our own jasper and ribbon stone.”

Each watch will have a face made from natural gemstones, including golden tiger-eye, blue lapis lazuli, red jasper, green malachite and white howlite.

The Barretts have spent about a year designing and developing their business.

They launched an IndieGoGo fundraising campaign on February 28 to raise $58,000 to manufacture the minimum order quantity.

“We are ready for production, but we need the support of a group of people who love our watches as much as we do,” they said.

Backers will receive discounts for the watches, which they expect to sell for $429 a piece, or bracelets with a retail price of $65.