From mountain teacher to Czech luxury watch mogul, Tamara Kotvalová’s rise

Tamara Kotvalová’s professional journey started far from the world of high-end timepieces, teaching children with lung illnesses in a sanatorium in Horní Smokovci, nestled in the High Tatras. Living on a modest budget, she found purpose in the natural surroundings and the work itself. Later she left teaching, founded Carollinum and built the business from the ground up, eventually shaping it into one of the Czech Republic’s most influential sellers of luxury watches and jewellery.

Today her firm represents globally recognised brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe, supplying discerning customers in Prague. Kotvalová says her confidence was never innate; it grew through experience, perseverance and the need to provide for herself and her children. Her story illustrates how personal resilience can reshape an entire market segment.