Market News

Dubai airport passenger numbers continue to soar

Over 5.08 million travellers used Dubai International in February. Passenger traffic at Dubai airport totalled 5,080,360 in February 2013 up from 4,561,147 recorded during the same month in 2012. Dubai International airport passenger numbers continued to soar in February with 5.08 million customers passing through the facility, up 11.4 per cent from the same period in 2012, according to the monthly traffic report issued on Tuesday by Dubai Airports. Year to date, passenger numbers are up 13 per cent to 10,640,120 from 9,413,286 recorded during the same period last year. Aircraft movements reached 28,085 in February, climbing 3.8 per cent from the 27,058 recorded in February 2012.

Harry Winston Inc. completes the selling procedure

Harry Winston Diamond Corp. completed the sale of its namesake luxury brand to the Swatch Group and changed its name to Dominion Diamond Corp according to a recent report by Idex Online. Dominion has completed the sale of its luxury brand diamond jewelry and timepiece division, Harry Winston Inc., to Swatch Group. As part of the transaction, the company has changed its name to Dominion Diamond Corp. from Harry Winston Diamond Corp. Dominion is now focused on mining and marketing rough diamonds. It owns 40 percent of the Diavik diamond mine in Canada's Northwest Territories and rough diamond sorting and sales operations in Canada, Belgium and India.

Who will be the lucky buyer of Pomellato?

The Milan based high end Jewellery brand Pomellato is still up for sale. It has been reported that several Groups such as LVMH and PPR have made an offer to buy out the Milan-based Jewelry brand. According to a recent report published by Reuters the sale of Pomellato to PPR was expected to close by the end of March, while the Italian jewellery family Damiani would retain its 18 percent stake in the company. On the other hand, it was also reported that LVMH made an offer for Pomellato that is higher than PPR’s offer. Pomellato is well presented in the Middle East region and it enjoys an exclusive boutique in Dubai at the Dubai mall.

Watch Advertising spending continues global gradual rebound

According to the recent report by the World Watch Institute based in the USA, The watch advertising spending continues Gradual Rebound. U.S. advertising expenditures grew by 4.3 percent in 2012 and are still nearly a third of the global total. The Asia Pacific region accounted for the fastest growth, however, with ad spending there increasing by 7.9 percent in 2012. Expenditures fell by 2.2 percent in Western Europe, the only region to see a decline, largely due to the ongoing Eurozone crisis. The growth in spending on Internet ads has been driven by the expansion of social media and online video advertising. Newspaper advertising has declined significantly, dropping from nearly a third of all expenditures in 2002 to less than a fifth in 2012.

The fifth edition of the Only Watch charity auction to take place in Monaco this September

The Principality of Monaco will be hosting the fifth edition of the exceptional “Only Watch” charity watch auction benefiting research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The Only Watch will take place on September 28th 2013 in Monaco and will be conducted by the watch auctioneers. The proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophy promoter of Only Watch with Antiquorum Auctioneers and the Monaco Yacht Show, in order to help finance research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The auction will take place on September 28th at 11 am in the “Salle Belle Epoque” of the Hôtel Hermitage.

Company News

Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons opens new store in Dubai Mall

The Seddiqi brings its timely fashion to the biggest mall in the world as it opened the doors last month to its stylish store in the metro link of the Dubai Mall. The store is strategically located very near the Fashion Avenue. Seddiqi’s 1915 is the latest fashion force to open its doors in the world famous shopping destination.

Montegrappa sponsored the First Fiction Writing Competition at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

Montegrappa recently sponsored The First Fiction Writing Competition, hosted at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature (EAFL). The competition was first of its kind, providing unpublished novelists with a unique chance to have their work evaluated by top UK literary agent Luigi Bonomi. Each winner was awarded a Montegrappa pen. EAFL, the literary festival in the Middle East, was attended by 130 famous authors from different parts of the world. The list of authors included Lord Jeffrey Archer, Anthony Horowitz, Tony Buzan, Dr. Shashi Tharoor and Philip Ardagh, among the others. Montegrappa honored each author with a Parola fountain pen.

Nicole Kidman visits Vienna with Omega

The Actress Nicole Kidman was in Vienna to help OMEGA to launch its new models in its Ladymatic collection and to introduce the global advertising campaign for the collection. The multi-media campaign features Ms Kidman, who has been the “face of Ladymatic” since its international debut in 2010. The venue for the event was opulently lit with decorative projections, including the brand’s iconic Omega logo, and images from the new advertising campaign. Nicole Kidman entered the room dressed in an embellished, sheer Oscar de la Renta gown.

Jean Richard is the “Official Timepiece” of the famous rowing race

The Swiss watch brand JEANRICHARD has become the “Official Timepiece” of the famous rowing race, which took place recently. This partnership is rooted in common values, like team spirit, endurance, passion, and a particular the art of life.

A new Partnership in the UAE between Blancpain and Lamborghini

Blancpain and Lamborghini associated their local partnership in the United Arab Emirates. To celebrate this union, devotees of horological and automobile mechanical engineering met and mingled last weekend on the Yas Marina track in Abu Dhabi. On this occasion, Blancpain watch connoisseurs, local media and committed Lamborghini drivers and owners enjoyed a chance to share their passion. They took the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 for a spin around the Yas Marina track in Abu Dhabi, revelling in the experience under beautiful clear skies, as well as discovering the various collections from the Manufacture in Le Brassus.

International launch of MB&F MegaWind watch on 9th April 2013

Maximilian Busser, CEO of MB&F will be in Dubai for the international unveiling and launch of the MegaWind watch. MegaWind is the new generation of MB&F’s best selling line the iconic HM3 series and Mr. Busser will be in Dubai, as the announcement is made simultaneously in Dubai and Milan.

Kolber’s celebrated its 30th Anniversary

Kolber International, part of Al-Futtaim Group hosted VIPs and distributors event to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Thomas Dotzek, Senior General Manager of Al-Futtaim Watches and Jewellery, said, "Kolber completes 30 years of success this year. We currently have approximately 900 points of sale across 41 countries and 15 Duty Free outlets around the world.

Product Launch

Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar awarded "Watch of the Year 2012"

The Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar has been awarded “Watch of the Year 2012” on the website www.timezone.com, the worlds largest community of wristwatch enthusiasts. 38 per cent of all registered users have voted for this model of A. Lange & Söhne which has been launched last year. The Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar unites two classic complications with the expressive LANGE 1 style. The ingenious arrangement of the displays including the world’s first rotating peripheral month ring allows an unequalled legibility of all calendar information.

Chanel introduced new jewellery collection Jardin de Camelias

The new Jewellery collection, Jardin de Camélias, reinterprets Chanel’s iconic flower with a range of special pieces. Now Chanel Fine Jewellery has deployed its utmost creativity into an extraordinary garden of diamonds, gems and pearls, in which the rarest camellias open up into full, resplendent bloom. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, cuffs, jewellery watches, brooches and rings. Flowers with delicately folded petals evoking the art of origami, diamond camellias edged with black diamonds, contrasts of black and white, patchworks of coloured stones, sparkling camellias in marine or citrus tones, and black lacquer camellias set with white and yellow diamonds.

Arnold & Son’s new collection - HMS Victory

The HMS Victory is a fitting addition to the Arnold & Son Royal Collection. Arnold & Son’s own master engraver created the exquisite HMS Victory Set dials, which are then duplicated in silver for the series. The scenes in the HMS Victory Set give us three different views of the vessel: the first, resplendent in shafts of sunlight breaking through the clouds; the second, with guns ablaze as she rakes the French fleet; and the third, an interior of the ship, on one of the gun decks. All three models in the HMS Victory Set are powered by the A&S1001 calibre with haute horlogerie finishing.

Girard-Perregaux new Traveller Collection

The new Traveller collection from Girard-Perregaux has a strong refined and modern style, while at the same time being both casual and elegant and inspires a new way of living. The 44 mm diameter sleek silhouette is soft and energetic. The graduated bevels of the long lugs underline their convex curves. The alternation of satin brushed and polished finishes captures and reflects the light, enhancing each detail of the design. The dials play subtly with the depth of field, adding relief to the time displayed.

Citizen launched new Citizen Toyota 86

Citizen recently announced the launch of Global Limited Edition series, Citizen X Toyota 86 that combines the uniqueness of Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology and the Toyota 86 FR sports car series. The design of the dial follows the design philosophy and the same theme as the dashboard of Toyota 86. The Toyota 86 logo is placed at the 4 o’clock position with the case-back engraved with the Eco-Drive and Toyota 86 mark.

Hermès introduces Arceau Lipstick watch for Ladies

Hermès introduces two new Arceau models for ladies fitted with a smooth Lipstick pink calfskin strap, and graced with a tone on tone interpretation of the emblematic Hermès saddle stitching. The two steel models, one with a 28mm case and the other 32mm, both house a self-winding movement driving a central seconds hand and a date display at 3 o’clock.

Roger Dubuis presents the Pulsion chronograph for men

Roger Dubuis celebrates the world of the Venturer, with the Pulsion Chronograph in Pink Gold dedicated to the man who is both dynamic and passionate, knowing exactly what he wants. The Pulsion Chronograph in Pink Gold is in keeping with the image of the world of the Venturer from which it takes its inspiration: technological, powerful and dynamic. Equipped with a 44mm pink gold case and a rubber strap, it has been designed for action. This collection is distinguished by the sapphire crystal that extends to the flanks of the case and serves as a bezel, while its numerals are engraved under the crystal and impregnated with luminescent material.

Exhibitions & Events

The Third "Cartier Travel with Style Concours" in Mumbai, India

The Mumbai played host last month to one of the world's most prestigious automotive events, The Third Cartier Travel with Style Concours d'Elégance 2013. Hosted by Mr. Louis Ferla, Managing Director - Cartier Middle East, India & Africa, Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ is among the world’s best four Concours d’Elégance a one of a kind vintage car exhibition and competition held every two years in India. This year amidst the opulence of over 100 of the rarest automobiles and motorcycles from the esteemed stables of Indian royal patrons and noted private collectors. Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ exhibited 32 exceptional vintage motorcycles from across India

The 34th MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show

The MidEast Watch & Jewellery show was recently opened by H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Salim Al Qassimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General, Expo Centre Sharjah, government officials, other dignitaries and industry representatives. “MidEast Watch & Jewellery is one of the flagship shows of Expo Centre Sharjah, which is eagerly awaited by not just the lovers of the precious metal and gems but also regional traders who made a point to visit the show to check out the latest trends and tastes in fashion jewellery,” said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa. The 34th MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show is organized by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

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