Market Report

Graff pulls $1 billion IPO in Hong Kong

Graff Diamonds said it pulled an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong that had planned to raise $1 billion, due to concerns over declining stock markets, especially in Asia.  As of mid-May, total investment banking revenues from new listings in Asia, excluding Japan, had fallen to $434 million in the year to date, down almost 70 percent from the same period a year ago. Graff planned to price its IPO and begin trading on the Hong Kong stock market on June 7. The company noted, however, that its plans to open five new retail outlets in Asia this year would be unaffected by the decision to pull the IPO.

Market News

Prada to add 260 stores on demand of emerging countries including the Gulf

Prada SpA, the Italian fashion company plans to add 260 stores in the next three years to tap demand in emerging markets including Brazil, China and Gulf countries.

Movado sales profit increases to $7M in Q1

Movado Group Inc.'s first-quarter profit ended on 30 April has rose 15.4 percent year on year to $103.7 million while net profit increased $6.8 million compared with only $511,000 one year ago.  Movado's strong performance was driven primarily by growth in the accessible luxury and licensed brand categories.

Mideast airlines recorded 16 percent rise in passenger demand

Global air passenger traffic rose by 6.1 percent in April as demand picked up in the Middle East to record 16 percent according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Despite continuing economic weakness in some parts of the world, demand for air travel continues to grow in the Middle East said IATA.

Company News

Cartier hosts an exclusive preview of the Cartier leather goods and Accessories collections 2012/13

On 17 May 2012, Cartier hosted an exclusive preview of the Cartier leather goods and Accessories collections 2012/13 at the Dubai Mall VIP lounge for their valued press members. The Collections presented, included 11 elegant models displaying different looks and ways the pieces can be worn. The private collection preview was followed by a charming seated lunch over looking the famous Dubai Mall fountain. The collection included Marcello de Cartier satchel Bags, Marcello De Cartier Bowling bag, as well as the new Cartier Sacs du Soir, the new Cartier chain bag along with their latest eyewear and sun wear collections, for both male and female.

OMEGA unveils its global advertising campaign for the London Games

OMEGA, the official timekeeper of the London 2012 Olympic Games, unveiled its global advertising campaign for the London Games, celebrating the brand’s rich Olympic history and the great moments in time that are at the heart of the Olympic movement. The television commercial, produced in 15-, 30- and 60-second versions, features Chinese diver Qiu Bo, U.S. swimmer Natalie Coughlin, British heptathlete Jessica Ennis, U.S. sprinter Tyson Gay, South African swimmer Chad Le Clos and U.S. pole vaulter Jenn Suhr – all Olympic hopefuls and OMEGA Brand Ambassadors – and focuses on the athletes’ routines and concentration in the pivotal minutes and seconds before competition, a moment in time for each athlete than can set the tone for his / her entire performance.

Panerai in association with Wadih Mrad reveals its two exceptional pieces in Lebanon

Officine Panerai, the high-end Italian watchmaker in association with Wadih Mrad, one of the oldest watch and jewellery distributor in Lebanon, representing exclusively the brand Panerai, invited the local Lebanese Media to a Lunch to reveal two of its exceptional pieces: TUTTONERO LUMINOR 1950 3 DAYS GMT AUTOMATIC CERAMICA - 44 MM (PAM 438) and RADIOMIR CALIFORNIA 3 DAYS - 47 MM RADIOMIR S.L.C. 3 DAYS - 47 MM (PAM 424).

ARTE Madrid makes UAE Debut with Four Stunning New Boutiques

ARTE Madrid, the Spanish word for art has arrived in the UAE this spring, with the opening of four new boutiques in prime locations. Founded in 1898 by the Barranco family in Madrid, Spain, ARTE Madrid boutiques in the UAE will exhibit a number of exquisite collections. With over 50 stores already open across Europe, China and parts of Asia, the UAE stores will be the first in the Middle East.

Damas host its biggest ever ‘vault sale’

Damas has announced it’s biggest ever sale located at its main vault in DMCC, Dubai from 31 May to 9 June 2012. The end of season sale offers between 25 to 70 percent off selected jewellery and watches from Damas and its international brands.

Piaget at Monaco International Rose Show

On 5^th of May, as part of the Reveries sur les Jardins event organized by the Monaco Garden Club, the first Monaco international rose show, sponsored and presided over by Yves Piaget, was held at the Monaco Garden Club. Eighteen professional breeders from six countries submitted more than 67 rose varieties grown in pots to be judged by an international jury. For this special occasion, the House of Piaget created a trophy in its workshops echoing the themes of its Piaget Rose Collection. The Piaget Rose Trophy, created and donated by the House of Piaget, was awarded to the ASTRONOMIA® varietal denomination Meiguimov variety which scored the highest points from the jury. HRH Princess Caroline of Hannover, President of the Monaco Garden Club, insisted on personally presenting the Piaget Rose Trophy to Mr. Alain Meilland. The prize-giving was followed by a dinner at the Hermitage Hotel.

Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series

Italian supercar manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini and luxury Swiss watchmaker Blancpain enjoyed a sensational debut to their first ever Asia Series of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo at the Sepang International Circuit. Already in its fourth year in Europe, the Super Trofeo Championship in Asia will now provide an exclusive platform for Gentlemen drivers, entering individually or in teams of two, to compete at the wheel of the bespoke Lamborghini Super Trofeo race car in one of the world’s fastest one-make Series. With 18 confirmed teams coming from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan, the opening weekend of the Asia Series saw the brand’s extreme, uncompromising and quintessentially Italian super race cars showcased at their best in two fiercely competitive races.

Support for Alpina Sailing Collection

Alpina recently announced branding of a Swan 80 participating in various yacht regattas in the Mediterranean in 2012. The Alpina Swan has recently raced in the Palmavella and will race in the Loro Piani and Giraglia regattas this month. Later this year, the Alpina Swan will race in the Voiles des St. Tropez and the Middle Sea Race regattas.

IWC Schaffhausen celebrates its passion for film-making

During the Cannes International Film Festival, IWC Schaffhausen hosted another glamorous evening event at the legendary Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc demonstrating its commitment to film and film-makers. The exclusive Filmmakers Dinner, which was presented in partnership with Finch’s Quarterly Review and, for the first time, Mercedes-AMG, was attended by famous personalities such as Oscar winner Robert De Niro, actor Ewan McGregor and top model Karolina Kurkova. IWC Friends of the Brand such as “Grey’s Anatomy” star Eric Dane and gallery owner Tim Jefferies were also on the high-calibre guest list. At the after party, soul singer Aloe Blacc provided the evening’s musical highlights.

Frederique Constant supports Eva Longoria in Cannes

During the Cannes International Film Festival, Frederique Constant supported the charity evening hosted by Eva Longoria and Denise Rich, benefiting The Eva Longoria Foundation & Gabrielle's Angel Foundation. The evening featured Eva Longoria and Denise Rich sharing news of their latest projects and fundraisers with the ultimate aim of generating awareness and funds for each well deserving organization. Guests included: Alec Baldwin, Michelle Rodriguez, Goga Ashkenazi, Roberto Cavalli, Diddy, Cassie, Amaury Nolasco, Tara Reid and many more.

“Bremont Wingman” achieves World First

On May 23rd 2012, British wingsuit expert & stuntman, Gary Connery achieved a World First by successfully competing a wingsuit flight & landing without the aid of a parachute. Gary Connery used his expert powers of precision to achieve this world first – making the flight only with the aid of his specially developed wingsuit. Bremont Watch Company teamed up with the international stunt superstar to set this new aviation record.

Product Launch

Senator Moonphase Skeletonized Edition by Glashutte Original

The Glashutte Original Senator Moon Phase Skeletonized Edition invokes the grand tradition of skeleton watches, designed to reveal the fascinating micromechanical universe at the heart of the watchmaker’s art. This latest masterpiece from the Saxon manufactory takes up the Glashutte Original 1845 Classic Up/Down with Moon Phase model originally introduced more than ten years ago.

Breitling celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the first spacegoing wrist chronograph

On May 24^th 1962, a Breitling Navitimer chronograph became the first wrist instrument to share in the conquest of space by accompanying the Aurora 7 flight. To celebrate the 50^th anniversary of this historical feat, the brand is launching into orbit a new Navitimer Cosmonaute equipped with a high performance Manufacture Breitling movement, entirely developed and produced in the company workshops. This 1,962-piece limited edition is distinguished by its 24-hour display, its manual winding mode and two nods to the original 1962 chronograph. In addition to the Aurora 7 mission insignia, the engraved caseback also carries a Celsius/Fahrenheit conversion scale – another detail faithful to the design of the vintage Navitimer models.

Girard-Perregaux reveals the Cat’s Eye Jewelry

This latest jewellery GP Cat’s Eye watch draped in 150 emerald-cut precious stones, with an illuminates feminine curves case and flower-shaped crown unfurls its petals to reveal its heart: a rose-cut diamond. A traditional technique requiring a particularly delicate touch, the “Clou de Paris” hobnail motif consists of holding several stones with a single “clou” or pin, meaning that the diamond cutter must cut andcalibrate the stones meticulously, one by one. The sapphire crystal, rounded in both directions, tops the dial and its leafshaped hands.

Versace unveils the new Mystique Watch Collection

Versace has recently unveiled the new Mystique watch collection at Baselworld 2012. The Baroque, rich in floral fantasies and historical motif of the Maison, has been updated by Donatella Versace, giving a contemporary twist to original and iconic creations. The Mystique Collection uses Swiss made Quartz movements and is as always made by Vertime, a company of Timex Group.

Glam Rock introduces Summer Watches for Women & Men

Glam Rock has recently introduced its summer collection of watches for women and Men. The Miami collection for women: two of the season’s most trendy hues; lavender and lime green along with the python textured leather create a fusion of elegance and exuberance and can be worn with a plain white tee, or even added to a bright and summery outfit. Miami collection is as innovative and ever changing as Miami itself. SoBe-Tech collection for men is all about standing out with a pop of color. The sporty look along with the vibrant color gives the perfect “fun and fresh” feel for the summer.

AKILLIS launches its new rock-mantic collection

AKILLIS dares again by launching GOD SAVE THE PUNK, a punk-inspired-yet-very-romantic collection. Prepare for AKILLIS’ new design focused on a delicate little ribbon, updated by a flow of diamonds and gold spikes. The brand deliberately put together a timeless classic, the feminine ribbon, and the typically punk spikes. With this original creation, AKILLIS adds its own spin to the 2012 new punk fashion. AKILLIS’ PUNK collection is all 18 carat white gold set with white diamonds. Its golden ribbon is embellished with gold spikes and diamonds and is available in pendants, bracelet and charm bracelet, clip earrings and rings.

Pomellato Love Me, Love Me Not collection

The petals of this brand new collection are nine rings of the purest lines, each with a delicate, differently coloured cabochon stone. Fire opal, amethyst, peridot, blue topaz, red tourmaline, moonstone, green tourmaline, garnet and iolite: a gem for every thought and a colour for every emotion, because all women have their own, very personal combination. Passion, Desire, Jealousy, Tenderness, Love, Joy, Hope, Pleasure, Nostalgia: the rings come one after another in a romantic gesture that adorns fingers with colour and the heart with sentiment. From the same colour palette emerge small earrings to be worn all the time – touches of intense colour that brighten up the face with iridescent flashes of light, like the mood of a heart in love. Pomellato is available in the Fine Jewellery and Watches Department at Bloomingdale’s – Dubai.

Celebrity News

Bianca Balti shines in Boucheron

On 19^th May, for the screening of the film “Lawless” at the 65^th Cannes Film Festival, the model Bianca Balti wore creations of the Maison Boucheron.  Later on in the evening she chose Boucheron for the Vanity Fair and Gucci event. Bianca chose to wear the Exquises Confidences earrings and ring, in yellow gold set with diamonds and amethysts for both the red carpet as well as for the Vanity Fair and Gucci event.

Andie Macdowell in Damiani at 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival

During the closing ceremony of 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival, Andie Macdowell wore the Sahara bracelet and the San Lorenzo earrings both in white gold and diamonds by Damiani.

de GRISOGONO on the Red Carpet at AMFAR

Top Model Dite Anata wore pink "Boule" earrings by de Grisogono set with pink sapphires and white diamonds during the Red Carpet at AMFAR.

Kim Kardashian in Garrard jewels at Fifi Awards

On 17 May 2012, Kim Kardashian attended the Fifi Awards 2012 (the annual fragrance award ceremony) held at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London wearing Garrard black diamond Wings cuff and earrings.

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