Watkins studied cello with William Pleeth, Melissa Phelps and Johannes Goritzki.
Watkins joined the Emerson String Quartet in the 2013-14 season, replacing the departing cellist David Finckel.
[6] In March 2006 he premiered a new concerto by Richard Rodney Bennett with the Philharmonia at South Bank Centre, recording it two months later.
In June 2009, the ECO named Paul Watkins its music director, effective with the 2009-2010 season, for an initial contract of 3 years.
Watkins plays on a cello made by Domenico Montagnana and Matteo Goffriller, c 1730.