Second-Generation Owner
Julian Farren-Price is the Second-Generation Owner and Managing Director of J Farren-Price, leading the family business with dedication and integrity since the passing of his beloved mother, Krysten Farren-Price, in 2018.
From his earliest years, Julian remembers a life closely intertwined with the watch business founded by his entrepreneurial father, John Farren-Price. At age six, Julian lived with his parents in a three-storey building in Paddington that was equally split between family and office spaces.
It was here that a young Julian soon found himself lending a hand, stamping watch dials with the name ‘J. Farren-Price’. As a teenager, he spent school holidays assisting in the company’s warehouse by attaching watch straps to cases for five cents per watch.
Julian distinctly remembers receiving his first J Farren-Price watch at age 14, which he still proudly owns and wears today.
Perhaps even more important than learning about the craftsmanship and precision required to create exceptional timepieces, Julian discovered the values of reliability, honesty and fairness that would later define his own leadership approach.
After completing a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of New South Wales in 1985, Julian worked in insolvency and receivership for a period – an experience that showed him how easily businesses can falter through poor financial management or misplaced trust.
In 1989, at the age of 25, he decided to join J Farren-Price, only a few years after his father had left the industry and ownership of the company had passed to his mother.
From the very beginning, Julian brought with him a deep respect for financial discipline and careful stewardship. Alongside his professional responsibilities, Julian undertook specialised overseas training in watchmaking, gemmology and diamond grading. This combination of financial expertise and technical knowledge provided a strong foundation for his future leadership within the industry.
Beyond this formal training, there were two key figures within the business who taught him lessons no classroom ever could. His mother, known to many as the exceptionally glamorous Mrs. Farren-Price, led by example with her remarkable drive and an unwavering work ethic.
From humble beginnings growing up in Tamworth, she built the life of her dreams through consistent, earnest work. Integrity was of the utmost importance to Mrs. Farren-Price, and she ensured that clients, suppliers and staff were never let down. In return, Julian saw how steadfastly those same people stood by his mother and their business when times were difficult.
The second key figure in the business was John Wardlaw, a Chartered Accountant who joined the company a few years before Julian in 1985, at a time when Mrs. Farren-Price was unwell and struggling to keep the business afloat. Despite the precarious position of the company, John recognised her resilience and chose to come on board to help restore stability.
He became a role model for Julian, demonstrating first-hand the importance of remaining calm under pressure, maintaining an eye for detail, and resolving difficult situations with clarity and composure.
Julian’s story would also be incomplete without mention of the family that grew alongside the business. In 1993, he married his beautiful wife, Suzi, who has been a source of unwavering love and support for more than three decades.
With Suzi caring for their two daughters, Julian was able to dedicate himself to building J Farren-Price into the business it is today. Just as it took a combined effort to restore the company in earlier years, creating their family also required teamwork and commitment. Today, Julian and Suzi are proud of the incredibly close relationship they share with their daughters, and above all, they have always placed family first.
Over the years, Julian assumed increasing responsibility within J Farren-Price, working closely alongside his mother as a Chartered Accountant before eventually transitioning into the role of co-Managing Director.
Together with John Wardlaw, they formed a great team, united by a shared focus on safeguarding the company’s reputation and Julian’s daily routine of picking up his mother for work each morning. Over the decades, the trio celebrated many significant milestones together, including the company’s 75th Anniversary in 2017.
Sadly, Mrs. Farren-Price passed away not long after this special milestone, on September 27, 2018. Saying goodbye to both his mother and business partner was incredibly difficult for Julian, yet the resilience she had instilled in him remained clear as he continued as the sole leader of the business.
Just as his mother had done, Julian understood that it was his personal responsibility to ensure the company continued to uphold the standards expected by its clients, suppliers and the extraordinary brands it represents. Thankfully, he was not alone, with his team, John Wardlaw and Suzi standing by his side as his role and responsibilities expanded.
Since 2018, Julian has kept the business firmly focused on long-term relationships and genuine passion. He believes that clients are part of the J Farren-Price family and all deserve care, time and attention.
Under his leadership, the Castlereagh Street salon has expanded several times, evolving into the elegant two-storey space it occupies today, while the company continues to represent many of the world’s most respected watchmakers and jewellers.
Since those early school days attaching straps to watches, Julian has maintained a deep admiration for the craftsmanship behind the pieces that comprise the J Farren-Price collection.
Gemstones, formed deep within the earth billions of years ago, are rare creations of nature that rely on the imagination of designers and the skill of master jewellers to bring them to life. Similarly, the world of high watchmaking demands extraordinary ingenuity and patience, with artisans dedicating months to perfecting even the smallest components.
For Julian, these objects mark life’s most important moments and often become treasured heirlooms passed from one generation to the next.
Another turning point for Julian and the company came in 2022, when John Wardlaw decided it was time to retire after 37 years with J Farren-Price. A mentor, colleague and dear friend, John’s retirement left Julian wondering how he would continue without his steady guidance.
Above all, however, he felt immense gratitude for the many decades they had worked side by side and holds John in the highest regard as one of the most decent people he has ever known.
Today, one of Julian’s greatest sources of pride is the extraordinary team who stand behind the business. Their professionalism, integrity and dedication to clients form the foundation of J Farren-Price’s reputation and the experience for which the company is known.
Outside the world of watches and jewellery, Julian is a passionate golfer, ocean racer/cruiser and car enthusiast. He loves being on the water, reading a good book, and above all spending time with his friends and family.
Looking to the future, his vision for J Farren-Price remains grounded in the same principles that have guided the business for generations. He intends to continue representing exceptional craftsmanship with integrity, nurturing lasting relationships with clients, and preserving the legacy of a proudly independent family business – an approach that would undoubtedly make his parents very proud.
