The Proust Questionnaire

In the She Is Speaking podcast that Carl F. Bucherer dedicates to inspiring women who are friends of the brand so that they can share their experiences and emotions, Sophie Furley asks her guests a few rapid-fire questions at the end of each interview. These questions are both profound and playful, often more personal, and they are asked in the manner of the Proust Questionnaire. They are not revealed in advance, but they add a witty twist to each episode and lead to spontaneous answers that expose, in their own way, the personality of the guests. Let us go and meet these women, who tell their stories, sharing their values, beliefs, memories, and dreams.

TEXT SOPHIE COLIN

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CAROLE HUBSCHER BEX CARTER

Carole Hubscher is President and CEO of the famous company Caran d’Ache, with which Carl F. Bucherer has initiated a partnership based on their common values, on the occasion of the parallel launch of a watch and a writing instrument featuring, respectively, the iconic designs of the two brands. She was the first guest on the She Is Speaking podcast, where she discusses the different facets of the business world and looks back on the 10 years since she took over from her father at the head of the prestigious company. Carole Hubscher represents the fourth generation of one of the families that have run the company at the highest level, in this case since the 1930s. She also reveals that drawing relaxes her and makes her lose track of time.

HER MOTTO?

“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

If she could have a superpower, what would it be? “The ability to travel through time, to the past as well as to the future, and telepathy.”

Bex Carter is Director of Operations for the Manta Trust, a nonprofit organization from the UK founded in 2011 and dedicated to the conservation of manta rays and their habitats through research, education, and collaboration. Carl F. Bucherer has been an active partner since 2013, providing financial and logistical support for various large-scale projects. Bex Carter tells us all about her work for a sustainable future for the oceans, where manta rays can thrive in healthy, diverse marine ecosystems.

HER MOTTO?

“Stop comparing yourself to others and embrace your uniqueness.”

If she could talk to manta rays, what would she ask them? “Where they go to give birth to their babies, because that remains a mystery.”

LISA STREICH NOËLLE MARITZ & LIA WÄLTI

Lisa Streich is a Swedish composer, author of the musical piece Periphery, dedicated to the Manero Minute Repeater Symphony watch by Carl F. Bucherer. Her creative work has earned her prestigious awards and is performed all over the world. She talks about her collaboration with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, with which she composed Periphery, her status as a woman in a predominantly male environment, her sources of inspiration, and how having children helped her compose her best songs.

A SENTENCE THAT DESCRIBES HERSELF?

“I write the kind of music that I want to hear myself, music that I haven’t found anywhere else.”

What would she have liked to be if she had not become a musician? “A nurse.”

Noëlle Maritz and Lia Wälti are two young professional soccer players playing for the English club Arsenal Women and for the Swiss national team, of which Lia is the captain. They talk about their beginnings in this sport, how they train, and who the people are who inspire them. Noëlle and Lia are part of the Carl F. Bucherer family, whose high standards and zest for challenge they share.

A BELIEF THEY WISH TO SHARE?

“Fortunately, we both made the right decision – and it was worth it – to leave everything behind so we could live our dream.”

Can they name three women athletes they would have liked to have had on their team? Noëlle: “Serena Williams, Wendy Holdener, and Lara Dickenmann.”/Lia: “Mujinga Kambundji, who’s incredibly fast, Serena Williams, and Carli Lloyd.”

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RUTH BUSCOMBE

Ruth Buscombe is responsible for the racing strategy of the F1 Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN team. She explains what this profession is all about, where everything is calculated and mathematically based, and which she practices surrounded by men. Ruth also talks about her involvement with the The Girls on Track organization that encourages girls and women to work in the automotive industry.

A SENTENCE THAT DESCRIBES HERSELF?

“In a radical way, I went from being a princess to a Formula 1 engineer. I always liked math in school, especially anything that involved solving problems. Realizing that you could apply math to sports and competition was, for me, the greatest thing in the world.”

ANY RECURRING DREAM?

“The constant fear of failing an exam.”

WENDY HOLDENER

Wendy Holdener is an Alpine skiing world champion and Swiss Olympic medalist – an exceptional record of achievement recounted in this interview. She is also an official ambassador of Carl F. Bucherer, with which she shares, among other things, a constant need for perfection. Wendy recalls childhood memories on the slopes with her brothers, shares her greatest challenge, and speaks of hard work and tremendous determination.

THE DEFINING MOMENT OF HER LIFE?

“The moment that changed my life was when I became world champion.”

IS SHE AN EARLY BIRD OR A NIGHT OWL?

“Early bird, but I like sleeping.”