Chalhoub cuts costs and presses on with transformation as it eyes 2022 pandemic recovery; 100 % of Dubai staff returns to offices; Roger Dubuis Official Timing Partner to “The Real Race”

   
 
 

Market News

 

Chalhoub cuts costs and presses on with transformation as it eyes 2022 pandemic recovery

Dubai-based luxury retailer Chalhoub Group is cutting costs and preserving cash as it restructures its business to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic that has hit sales, but will press on with its e-commerce strategy and expects a full recovery by 2022. The family business – which has more than 750 retail outlets across the Middle East with a portfolio of 300 brands that include Sephora, Louis Vuitton, Tod's, Michael Kors, L’Occitane, Lacoste, Tory Burch – will close 10 per cent of its stores over the coming months and invest more in remaining shops, Patrick Chalhoub told The National in an interview.
 

100 % of Dubai staff returns to offices

Government offices in Dubai have returned to work at 100 per cent capacity as of last Sunday, while the Sharjah government employee will be back with 30% capacity only. 

 
 

Company News

 

Roger Dubuis Official Timing Partner to “The Real Race”

Roger Dubuis appointment as the Official Timing Partner of Lamborghini “The Real Race” is a natural extension of the Manufacture’s unleashed creativity and unparalleled technical expertise. The most exciting way to experience Hyper Horology meets a 21st century game-changing approach to virtual motorsports. To mark the occasion, Roger Dubuis in introducing a collection of codeshattering Excalibur Huracán timepieces inspired by the Huracán speed machines competing in “The Real Race events. These racing models feature clearly identifiable super car design codes, along with a simulation on the strap of the pattern on Pirelli tyres used for the Super Trofeo.

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates THE SOUND MAKER

In 2020, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates THE SOUND MAKER, paying homage to its valley and its great legacy of chiming timepieces, expressing a century and a half of accumulated expertise in fresh new ways. This year, to launch the new-generation Master Control Memovox, Jaeger-leCoultre has taken inspiration from the first Memovox watches of the 1950s, giving it a contemporary style, while retaining the spirit of utility and charm that defined the originals. Continuing the tradition of adding useful auxiliary functions, the new Master Control Memovox Timer incorporates an entirely new alarm-setting mechanism, while the Master Control Memovox, brings clean-lined contemporary style to the classic alarm-plus-date model.
 

BALL new pre-order campaign

Engineered to the specifications of a 35-year Navy Mariner veteran, it’s the world’s first GMT timepiece with day and date functions, delivering utmost functionality. The quick-set GMT push buttons dazzle watch lovers with its ease-of-use and ingenious design. The tough titanium material and COSC certified mechanical movement guarantee perfect performance in the most imperfect situations. Topping off with the darkness-conquering luminosity of the micro gas tube. The watch that once ran America’s railroads now empowers world explorers to live freely and fearlessly. The Roadmaster Marine GMT series comes in four different variations and we are proud to introduce the latest addition with the chocolate-black ceramic bezel that handles every twist and turn you make. Limited to 1,000 pieces each. The Roadmaster Marine GMT Chocolate & Black is now available for pre-order until 31 July 2020 at an exclusive price.
 
 

Product Launch

 

Breguet Marine Haute Joaillerie 9509 Poseidonia

The depths of the Mediterranean harbor a natural treasure: Posidonia oceanica – an aquatic plant essential to the sea’s balance. Breguet depicts the plant’s arabesques on the Marine Haute Joaillerie Poseidonia through the art of mother-of-pearl marquetry and invisible setting. The dial, set with 85 baguette-cut diamonds, appears to ripple across the intense iridescence of the Tahitian mother-of-pearl, which is deeply colored or more silvery depending on the light. The skillful setting continues on the bezel, caseband, lugs of the strap, and the clasp of the buckle. The mechanical heart of the Marine Haute Joaillerie Poseidonia beats to the rhythm of caliber 591C, an extra-thin self-winding manufacture movement.
 

HYT introduces SOONOW INSTANT RAINBOW

This multi-colored timepiece, integrating the HYT patented fluidic module, shows time and light performing their intrinsic magic, just as a ray of light interacts with water drop to create a rainbow. Its design is rooted in the truth that both are in constant motion. Its message is that both should always be appreciated and never restrained. Yellow and blue, two of the three primary colors, trace the paths of elapsed and future time respectively. The other colors of the rainbow spread across and around the dial with refined gradual shading. Light dances with 668 sapphires, amethysts and tsavorites in 14 color variations. In combination with the violet anodized titanium dial, covered with 313 18-carat yellow gold pins, this heightens the overall radiance of the mesmerizing, three-dimensional whole.
 

Glashütte Original presents new versions of SeaQ Panorama Date

In 2020, two new versions of the SeaQ Panorama Date diver’s watch make their appearance in the still-young collection. The new timepieces are now available in a red gold version with black dial and in a contemporary bi-colour composition in stainless steel and red gold with grey dial.  High-contrast black and gold lend the red gold version a powerful presence: the hands, Arabic numerals and rod indexes on the black dial with sunray finish feature elegant galvanic gold surfaces. The rotating bezel’s ceramic ring with white lacquer inlay, the generous use of luminous white highlights and the Panorama Date’s white numerals on a black ground ensure maximum contrast and enhanced clarity.  The SeaQ Panorama Date is water-resistant up to 30 bar, around 300 metres, which makes it suitable even for professional divers.
 

L'Epée 1839 releases Destination Moon Red

Destination Moon, a co-creation between L’Epée 1839 and MB&F, is the quintessential torpedo-shaped rocket of childhood dreams. Manufactured in Blue, Green, Silver and Black, ‘Destination Moon’ is now available in Red. The eight-day movement follows the same basic architecture and design of an actual space rocket. The power is located on the bottom with the crown to wind the movement, the regulation is in the middle with the gear chain and the escapement, and the time and the time setting crown is located at the top.
 

Alpina presents Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic

For almost 140 years, Alpina has been intimately linked to nature, the great outdoors and their respectful exploration. In 2020, the Maison unveils its new Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic line, worthy heir to this commitment and made from plastic waste. Technological innovation, craftsmanship and an ecological manifesto are the driving forces behind these five models launched to support the World Ocean Day (on June 8th, 2020). On this occasion, the Brand goes even further by announcing its partnership with the start-up Gyre Watch, which is responsible for sourcing the recycled material, and with Surfrider Foundation Europe, a non-governmental organisation which has become a reference in the fight for the preservation of the ocean and its users.

 

Bereve introduces Étoile bleue

Bereve is an independent brand of Haute Horlogerie, which fosters all the values of the Swiss watchmaking art. The unprecedent situation we have all been faced with during the last three months, has affected markets and behaviours. The brand spent this time with thoughts, creativity, and the question how to welcome the end of this unpredictable period. Eventually, the brand found the answer in a preciouos stone called Aventurine and decided to use it for the next Bereve handcrafted timepiece. It is said that Aventurine is linked to prosperity, good luck and considered a healing gemstone. The last Bereve creation carries a delicate Aventurine dial in blue, "Étoile bleue", where tiny stones on the dial create a blue star night full of dreams.
 
 
 
 

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