“Time” to Catch Up with Alumnus Adrien Toulemonde
Head of Watchmaking Development at Maison Bäumer in Paris
For many boys, their camp experience is the longest time they’ve spent away from home, but sometimes it’s also the farthest. In Adrien Toulemonde’s case, he flew all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to come to camp from Paris, France.
Adrien was a camper for 5 years, from 2012 through 2016. We recently caught up with him to see where life has taken him since and how camp influenced the person he is today.
-
FCC: We love hearing alumni updates, and it sounds like you have been very busy in the decade since your time as a camper! Here’s a photo of you at Falling Creek in 2014 - What have you been up to in the time since then?
-
Adrien: Can’t quite believe that so much time has passed … I would love to share with the community what I’ve been up to since my last year as a CIT!
After my baccalaureate in Paris, I went to Singapore for the first year of my bachelor’s degree, before coming back to Paris for the last three. I did my “end of study internship” at TAG Heuer in Geneva, Switzerland for 6 months, and got my first experience in a watchmaking company. Afterwards, I went on for my master’s degree in London, and graduated in Strategic Marketing from Imperial College.
Since September 2024, I’ve found my dream job in charge of the Watchmaking Department at Lorenz Bäumer, the last independent jeweller, in Place Vendôme, the iconic French luxury location in Paris.
-
FCC: What made you want to work with watches?
-
A: I have always been drawn to objects that combine design, engineering, and storytelling. Watches sit at the intersection of precision mechanics, craftsmanship, and emotion. Very early on, I was fascinated by how something so small could be so complex, meaningful and deeply emotional - something you wear every day and often keep for life - really appealed to me.
-
FCC: What is your favorite part of the job?
-
A: My favorite part of the job is transforming an idea into a tangible object. Seeing a watch evolve from a concept or sketch into a finished piece—where every detail has been considered and executed—is extremely rewarding. I also enjoy the problem-solving aspect, where technical constraints and creative ambition have to meet. And most of all, I love to see people enjoying wearing our timepieces, because in the end, it’s all about the client’s happiness.
-
FCC: Are there any skills you learned at camp that you still use today in your daily life?
-
A: Yes, absolutely. Camp taught me creativity, adaptability, and teamwork. Living in a community, managing responsibilities, and learning to rely on others are skills I still use daily, especially in a professional environment where collaboration and leadership are essential.
-
FCC: Do you have a favorite memory from your time as a camper?
-
A: The memories I keep are mostly a general feeling, the one you get when you come back to camp each year. It is the sense of brotherhood and belonging—being disconnected from everyday routines and fully immersed in camp life. Simple moments like meals with friends, outdoor activities, and shared challenges created strong bonds and lasting memories that still stand out today.
Are you a Falling Creek alumnus? We’d love to hear from you! Email to share what’s new in your life, favorite memories from camp, or how your time at Falling Creek influenced you.
Do you know a member of the Falling Creek community who “Lives by the Code”? Nominate them so we can feature their stories and advice! Read our Alumni Blog Series here.