Market Report

Corum announces its new partnership with Rebecca de Alba

Corum introduces its new partner Rebecca de Alba. Rebecca de Alba wears Admiral's Cup Legend 38 watch from Corum. Rebecca presents herself as the partner for Corum, both devoted to every project they start and sharing the same philosophy. With the aim to support the Rebecca de Alba Foundation, created in 2008 in order to help youth and children suffering from cancer, Corum and Rebecca joined their creativity to conceive a limited edition of the Admiral’s Cup Legend 38.

Market News

Christie’s 2nd watch auction of 120 iconic timepieces in Dubai

Christie’s Dubai office will hold its second watch auction next month, with 120 iconic timepieces including vintage, classical, modern and special editions by some of the world's most renowned watchmakers. The timepieces set to be included in this year’s auction will be exhibited from 16 March 2014 at Jumeirah Emirates Tower Hotel until 20 March 2014.

Suspect held over Dubai 'Pink Panther' robbery in 2007

A suspected member of the Pink Panthers gang, which was involved in an AED55 million ($15 million) robbery of House of Graff at Wafi Mall in Dubai in 2007, has been arrested by Spanish police, Interpol has announced. Borko Ilincic is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice, or international wanted persons alert, which was issued at the request of the Dubai Police authorities after the Wafi Mall robbery when the suspects escaped with a huge haul of jewellery after driving their vehicles through the shop window. Last December, police became suspicious of the activities of a group of individuals and, following message exchanges via Interpol with Serbia and Switzerland, identified Ilincic as a Red Notice subject as part of Project Pink Panthers.

Abu Dhabi Duty Free revenue reached Dh912.7m in 2013

Retail revenue at Abu Dhabi Duty Free reached a total of Dh912.7 million during 2013 marking a 13 per cent increase compared to 2012 according to Abu Dhabi Airports statement. The most popular product categories purchased were beauty products, fragrances, watches, gold, and diamonds. Abu Dhabi Airport is set to open a new Midfield Terminal Building in 2017. The terminal is expected to grow the Abu Dhabi Duty Free business to over Dh1.5 billion each year, according to Abu Dhabi Airport.

Abu Dhabi tourism to increase by 15% in 2014

The tourism sector in Abu Dhabi is expected to achieve around 15 per cent growth during 2014 to attract an average of 3.2 million tourists. The figure marks an increase from the 2.8 million tourists who visited the emirate during 2013. Rashid Abu Bakr, senior consultant at TRI Hospitality Consulting, attributed the expected increase to several factors, which include an overall growth in the international travel market throughout the past two years. He noted that the greatest number of tourists come from Europe and Asia, with the biggest markets being the UK, Germany, Russia, India, China, Korea, and the Far East.

Van Cleef & Arpels unveils the Lady Arpels Ballerine Enchantée timepiece

Van Cleef & Arpels hosted the Poetry of Time™ Exhibition for the second year in Dubai and revealed the Poetic Complication Lady Arpels Ballerine Enchantée timepiece. The comprehensive exhibition on timepieces took place in Dubai Mall’s Grand Atrium recently. The Poetic Complication Lady Arpels Ballerine Enchantée is half-dancer, half-butterfly, she perpetuates the tradition of ballerinas and fairies. While an inner corolla of champlevé enamel clothes the dancer, the outer veils like a pair of openwork wings come to life to display the time in a retrograde movement. This tableau stands out against a guilloché background, whose radiating motif adds to the dial’s vitality. Several layers of translucent Grand Feu enamel are then applied to lend depth and brilliance to the ensemble.

Company News

DMCC and Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council India launches the First Dubai Global Gem & Jewellery Fair

DMCC, Dubai’s and the region’s global gateway for commodity trade and enterprise, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) India, is to host the Global Gem & Jewellery Fair (GGJF) for the first time in Dubai, Atlantis, The Palm, from 20-22 March, 2014. With over 130 exhibitors participating from India and the GCC, the Global Gem & Jewellery Fair will provide an ideal platform for international buyers and sellers as they seek to trade top quality gems and couture jewellery.

OMEGA celebrates the opening of its OMEGA Pavilion at Olympic Park

With the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, OMEGA celebrated the grand opening of its OMEGA Pavilion in the host city’s Olympic Park in the company of Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek, President of OMEGA Stephen Urquhart, IOC President Thomas Bach and legendary swimmer and IOC member Alexander Popov. The four VIPs made their way around the Pavilion, posing in front of the timekeeping exhibition, taking a ride in the interactive bobsleigh simulator and watching OMEGA’s 3D speed skating video.

A. Lange & Sohne opens its first retail point in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

A. Lange & Sohne has recently opened its first retail point in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with partner First Jewelry in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia is a country were A. Lange & Sohne  have been always keen on expanding into, considering the increasing number of well-informed collectors they had the opportunity of meeting over the years. A. Lange & Sohne look forward to demonstrate its constant quest for horological perfection within this new market.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Sponsors British Polo Day

Jaeger-LeCoultre announces its sponsorship of British Polo Day Abu Dhabi and British Polo Day Dubai for the second consecutive year. The Series kicks off in style on 22 March 2014 at Abu Dhabi’s Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, the private Royal Club of His Highness Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed al Nahyan. The following weekend, on Friday 28 March 2014, the spectacular British Polo Day Dubai returns to the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club the birthplace of British Polo Day and the setting for its very first event in 2009. In attendance at British Polo Day Abu Dhabi will be international polo champions Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan and Jaeger-LeCoultre Friend of the Brand, Clare Milford Haven.

Product Launch

Carl F. Bucherer presents Manero ChronoPerpetual

Carl F. Bucherer presented a limited edition of the Manero ChronoPerpetual featuring a unique combination of chronograph and perpetual calendar. The Manero chronograph hands are either a discreet black or rose gold in color. The center of the classic silver-colored or black dial is matte.  The case is crafted of fine rose gold. The bezel is concave in shape, the sapphire crystal is domed, and the crown and polished chronograph push-pieces of rose gold are elegantly simple. The case back is with integrated sapphire crystal with rose gold oscillating weight. The Dial is in Silver colour; Strap is hand-stitched Louisiana alligator brown leather, pin buckle rose gold.

Edox reveals the Delfin watch

Edox presents Delfin watch; The Delfin was to be the first of many Edox models especially suited to maritime activities such as sailing, diving or boating. The original model with a classic retro-inspired case and finishes with Silver aluminium ring with "Water Champion" slogan. The strap is made of steel bracelet or leather strap.

Pebble watch launches new app for iOS, Android

The launch of Pebble appstore, the very first open platform for sharing apps optimized for wearables. The appstore will live within the existing Pebble app on your iOS or Android device, so you can find and download Pebble apps directly from your Smartphone. Pebble appstore makes browsing easy, with categories for Daily, Remotes, Games, Notifications, Tools & Utilities, Fitness, and of course Watchfaces. Second, introduction to Pebble Steel smart watch; the crystal clear ePaper display, weeklong battery life, and waterproof design and it’s made of forged and CNC-machined stainless steel. Display is protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass lens with an oleo phobic, anti-fingerprint coating. Pebble Steel comes in two finishes: Brushed Stainless and Black Matte with a matching metal band and a black leather strap.

GRIEB & BENZINGER presents “St. George” watch model

GRIEB & BENZINGER’s has created something special for Russian watch enthusiasts who have been long loyal clients and just in time for the Olympic winter games in Sochi 2014: presents “St. George” model. the fine details of St. George riding high on his steed defeating the dragon with his lance, can be recognized even without a loupe, GRIEB & BENZINGER’s usual, meticulous two-tone, two-part, hand-guilloché, regulator-style dial is almost relegated to the background. The dial cutaway positioned which reveals a view of the blue platinum-coated base plate. The “St. George” model is in palladium white gold case with the characteristic hand-guilloché bezel on alligator strap.

Versace unveils V-Signature watch

Versace unveils V-Signature, the exclusive preview for Baselworld 2014. The new watch presents an IP rose gold case. The iconic symbol is also engraved on the bezel, framing the Medusa depicted in relief on the dial. The double patent leather wrist strap emphasizes the mood of the watch through its two overlaid elements conveying a strikingly powerful look. The thinner top part can be slipped out of the wider, rounded base section for a more traditional style and fit. The colors palette is bold: black, a chic but equally punchy white, also enriched with diamonds, or tones of red and bronze.

Roger Dubuis to showcase select range at Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition 2014

Roger Dubuis’s Excalibur Quatuor and Velvet Fully Paved Rose Gold timepiece is especially created for the Diva in every woman. The Excalibur Quatuor in pink gold, with its revolutionary four sprung balance-powered movement and Stamped with the Poinçon de Genève seal. The Strap is in Brown, genuine alligator and Clasp is Pink gold adjustable folding buckle. And The Velvet fully paved with diamonds; the off-centre numerals seem to play between the barrel-shape and the circle, a trompe-l’oeil on two levels. Bracelet is pink gold set with diamonds. Roger Dubuis will be showcasing their timepieces at the upcoming Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, held in the Qatari capital from February 24th to March 2nd 2014.

Exhibitions & Events

7th edition of Signature 2014 will be held from 21st - 24th of February 2014

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) will organise its 7th edition of Signature 2014 from 21st to 24th February at the Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. Signature 2014 will showcase the highest quality, cutting edge designs and superior craftsmanship by the participants. This is a B2B event where traders will have the opportunity to discover the latest trends, meet with the leading manufacturers and plan their collections and inventories. After the culmination of the festive season, jewellers look forward to re-stocking their stores with the trendiest jewellery collections which will be accomplished with style at Signature 2014. The trade fair participants are over 550 exhibitors showcasing their creations to more than 10,000 visitors from 350 cities & towns across India and over 500 International visitors from 28 countries.

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