About us

Born on May 7, 1925, Gerry was the third child of Joseph and Lieneke Frijns-Widdershoven. She grew up in a lively household where her father ran a successful tailor shop. Renowned as one of the finest in the region, he had studied his craft in Brussels and Liège.

Gerry attended HBS-B, where she studied subjects such as mathematics, English, chemistry, and algebra. Her knowledge of English proved especially useful after the liberation in 1944. Much to her father's dismay, many American soldiers visited their home to chat with his four daughters, who were among the few young women in the area fluent in English.

In 1947, Gerry married Winand Vaessen. Together they had three children and formed a strong and balanced partnership: Winand was a skilled technician specializing in the repair of watches and clocks, while Gerry was a natural communicator and gifted salesperson.

She also had a deep appreciation for antiques and silverware, which she enjoyed collecting from auctions, flea markets, and antique shops.

Born on September 21, 1949, Steph was the eldest child of Winand and Gerry Vaessen–Frijns. From a young age, he learned all the tricks of the trade. At 16, he moved to Schoonhoven to attend the vocational school for jewelers.

After graduating, he returned home and began working alongside his parents. But Steph’s education didn’t stop there. Over the years, he continued to update his skills, earning various certificates and ultimately becoming an official appraiser registered with the Federation TMV.

In 1982, Steph married Monica (aka Muis) van der Ploeg, and together they had three children. Like the generation before them, they made an excellent team. Although Muis was primarily a stay-at-home mother, she played an important role in the business. She always accompanied Steph to watch and jewelry fairs across Europe, helping select stock, and she had a keen eye for storefront decoration. Her talent paid off, in the early 2000s, the shop won the local award for Best and Most Original Storefront.

Muis also stepped in during challenging times. When Steph broke his knee in a skiing accident in 2003 and spent six months recovering at home, she helped keep the store running smoothly.

Born on October 30, 1987, Simone is the third child and only daughter of Steph and Muis Vaessen–van der Ploeg. Growing up as the fourth generation in an established family business, she began working alongside her father at the age of 17. What started as a part-time role handling administrative tasks soon grew into a full-time position in 2010 within the customer service and after-sales department.

For the past 15 years, Simone has overseen repairs with great care and attention to detail. In 2022, together with her father, she embarked on a new adventure: expanding into the sales of vintage and modern items.

What began decades ago as Gerry Vaessen–Frijns’ personal hobby has now evolved into a beautifull business.