Renowned Irish jeweller Paul Sheeran offers an in-depth insight into his illustrious career and the recent significant expansion of his business, the opening of a multi-brand luxury watch showroom on Chatham St in the heart of Dublin, on the Season 2 finale of Tech Powered Luxury.
With over three decades of experience, Sheeran’s passion and commitment to his craft remain undiminished.
He continues to be a key figure in the evolution of the luxury industry in Ireland and sets a strong example of entrepreneurship and adaptability in the business world.
Throughout the episode, Paul generously shares his transformative journey from a young student of horology to a driving force in the evolution of the luxury industry in Ireland.
From humble beginnings and bold dreams, Paul’s story is a compelling tale of passion, commitment and vision.
Leaving school at 15, he followed his unique path by studying watchmaking at the Irish Swiss Institute of Horology.
Today, he stands as an influential figure in the Irish luxury market, representing world-renowned brands from Cartier, Breitling, IWC, Panerai, Jaeger-LeCoultre, TAG Heuer, Tudor, Hublot & Montblanc as well as his own namesake fine diamond jewellery brick & mortar.
Always striving for what to do next, Paul was not content to stop at watchmaking and taught himself about the diamond industry through correspondence courses, which he still utilises to this day. His thirst for learning aided his progress further into working with jewellers in Dublin, enhancing his understanding of diamonds and the art of crafting diamond rings.
At just 25, he purchased his first brick & mortar with his father’s encouragement. While the venture was not in line with the luxury experience he aspired to create, Paul learned valuable lessons over a four-year period. “I learned what I didn’t want to do, which was a funny thing and it was a very different business to the one I’m doing today…..but it was a start in business”.
In 1994 Paul moved to the heart of Dublin, where he began selling what he loved most – diamonds. With a large enough unit, Paul was able to separate elements of the space to offer both watches and diamonds as well as rental opportunities, providing him with an additional stream of income. Starting with 35 diamond rings and a strong work ethic, success came in spades.
In 2000, as the business expanded, Paul managed to break into the luxury branded watch industry, establishing relationships with global brands and building connections to luxury groups including LVMH and Richemont. This successful leap was a significant turning point for his business, elevating both his fine diamond jewellery and watch offerings.
With business thriving throughout the early 2000s, Paul reflects on the economic downturn of 2008 and the impact it had on not only his own brand but the economy as a whole, “The entire Irish economy fell off a cliff. Not just my business, the entire Irish economy…. it was daunting. We dropped by 60% within weeks”
With resilience and adaptability at the forefront, Paul also touches on the Covid-19 pandemic and the changes it had on his business. Discussing how the pandemic led to a reshaping of his merchandise, narrowing their offering with a strategic focus on what truly resonates with the Irish market.
In recent months, Paul’s business has undergone a massive expansion with the opening of a multi-brand luxury watch showroom on Dublin’s Chatham Street including Cartier, Breitling, IWC, Panerai, Jaeger-LeCoultre, TAG Heuer, Tudor, Hublot & Montblanc. A true testament to his visionary strategy and steadfast commitment to the luxury market.
The expansion journey was not devoid of challenges, and it required the collective effort of multiple architects and shopfitters for each individual unit. While the boutiques did not open simultaneously as initially planned, the situation serendipitously allowed for a ‘soft opening’ and a precious opportunity for the team to fine-tune operations, ensuring a seamless luxury shopping experience for their clientele.
Reflecting on this ambitious endeavour, Paul said “It has been a pinch-me moment…. I did not think it was going to be that big a challenge, but one we’ve met head-on and completed”
This luxury watch showroom brings together Cartier, Breitling, IWC, Panerai, Jaeger-LeCoultre, TAG Heuer, Tudor & Hublot offering a range of products to suit different tastes and budgets. “We’re here to offer you the opportunity to enjoy a luxury and do that in a very nice, beautiful environment where you feel really special whether you spend €1000 or €100,000. We can look after you”.
Synonymous with luxury and exceptional quality in Ireland and beyond, despite his phenomenal success Paul remains grounded with his focus firmly on the road ahead continuing to be a beacon of inspiration within the industry.
Dive deeper into his journey and discover his vision for the future of luxury retail in Ireland by tuning in to the full episode of the ‘Tech Powered Luxury’ podcast, available on all platforms now.