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Chaumet showcasing the finest pieces of its watchmaking heritage, dating from the 19th century to the modern day in Dubai. Could you please tell our readers what’s so special about the event? And why did you choose Dubai to host the event?
Chaumet celebrates two centuries of timepiece creation in 2011. On this occasion, Chaumet introduces a retrospective exhibition. This exhibition is traveling throughout the world in the main cities where Chaumet is located. Dubai is among these cities and moreover, this market is very important.
Are you going to move the exhibition to another GCC or Levant country?
We decided to concentrate our efforts at the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of our Chaumet boutique in Dubai Mall.
What do you find most attractive about Chaumet watches?
Very different and creative design. In Chaumet we work on design first which is logic for a Jewelry house.
How do you describe Chaumet watch style? What is the Chaumet watches DNA?
Chaumet style can be defined as “the Parisian elegance”.
Chaumet jewelry watches are developed as high jewelry pieces, with the expertise of jewelry craftsmen.
How is Chaumet watches & jewellery received in the region?
There is a long tradition of Chaumet’s presence in the region. Chaumet, symbol of the French and Parisian style, is very well perceived in the Middle East.
Do you offer Gulf-specific releases or designs?
Yes we do limited series specially dedicated to the region.
How significant is the Middle East market for Chaumet? How important is the UAE and the Middle East for Chaumet?
For us Middle East has a big potential of growth and we consider the region as a strategic priority for development. This is why we created in 2011 Chaumet Middle East, branch of Chaumet in the region.
What segment of the market are you targeting in the Middle East?
Chaumet is present on all segments of W&J. We start with access prices and products below 5000 AED but we also do jewelry watches and high jewelry with no price limit.
Who is your core clientele and how are you accessing them?
The best way of meeting the clientele is to open boutiques like the one in Dubai Mall or corners in the most prestigious retailers like Al Fardan.
What, in your opinion, distinguishes Chaumet from its competitors?
Creativity and design and also a very specific Parisian style.
Chaumet is a creative brand supported by an expertise of more than two centuries of artistical works, and know-how in high jewelry.
How, in your view, is the retail market evolving in the GCC for premium watches & fine jewelry brands? What are your expectations?
GCC is a very dynamic market with a big potential of growth. This is the reason why Chaumet decided to invest in this area creating a local branch and opening boutiques.
Do you have any plans to expand your presence in the UAE or the region?
Yes, we will expand but the new projects are still confidential.
What is your corporate message on this occasion?
The legitimacy of Chaumet is in the creation of watches.
Since his creation, Chaumet collaborates with prestigious watchmakers.
The mechanical dimension of the timepiece is at the heart of Chaumet’s focus on excellence. Abraham-Louis Breguet, the genius watchmaker of his period, creates the mechanism for Chaumet’s first models ; the meeting and human exchange between Abraham-Louis Breguet and Nitot, who found Chaumet, will bring about the stimulation of their respective “savoir-faire”, very different and very complementary. Partnerships with the most renowned factories and prestigious watchmakers, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger, Piaget, François-Paul Journe, and more recently Jean-Marc Wiederrecht.
Chaumet is marking third anniversary next month. Any special programmes or launches are planned for anniversary?
The beautiful exhibition “the two centuries of timepiece creation” is especially dedicated to this anniversary.
Chaumet has just one outlet in UAE – Dubai Mall. Where do you plan next outlet in the UAE?
In fact, we have two boutiques. One in Dubai Mall but also one in New Burjuman and we are present with corners in the Al Fardan shops like in Mall of the Emirates.
What prospects do you see about the luxury jewelry and watch industry under in the current global socio-economic unrest?
Jewelry is what we call in French a “valeur refuge”. There is a strong appetite for gold and diamonds in the crisis period. So it can be seen as a paradox but the business in jewelry is thus very healthy.
How different are high net worth individuals (HNWIs) in their tastes and priorities compared to HNWIs in Europe or US?
To be honest, no real difference. They want the best.
Which regional market sees the best potential for Chaumet?
For us, Middle East and China are our two strategic priorities in term of development.