Swiss watchmaking in May 2016 the trend remains clearly negative; while Middle East scored a continued growth; World’s biggest Apple Store in travel retail at Dubai Airport Duty Free

Market News

Swiss watchmaking in May 2016 the trend remains clearly negative; while Middle East scored a continued growth.

The downturn in Swiss watch exports continued in May. Their value dropped 9.7% compared to last year, to stand at 1.6 billion francs. Over the first five months of the year, the level was lower than that of 2012.

The result for May was penalised mainly by watches in precious metals, whose decline exceeded 20%. Other categories experienced more moderate falls in sales. In volume terms, steel timepieces dragged the level down.

All price segments lost ground, but not in equal measure. As has been the case in recent months, the 500- 3,000 franc range (export price) remained the least affected by the general trend. Although suffering a clear downturn, watches priced below 200 francs also fared slightly better. The contraction was particularly marked between 200 and 500 francs, while timepieces priced at over 3,000 francs also registered a double digit decline.

However for the second month in row the Swiss watch expands scores positive growth in the Middle East markets with U.A.E +5.8%, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia +0.1%, Qatar +22.3%, Kuwait had a dip of -26.0 percent.

World’s biggest Apple Store in travel retail at Dubai Airport Duty Free.

Apple last week unveiled its largest travel retail stores in Dubai, just in time to cash in on the expected summer vacation rush at the airports.

On June 14, Dubai Duty Free (DDF) officially opened two Apple store programmes at Dubai International Terminal 3, with the stores representing the largest Apple experience in travel retail. According to DDF, the 86sqm and 70sqm units are located close to gates B15 and A12, respectively.

DDF sold close to 50,000 iPhones and iPads in 2015 and the world’s largest retailer in terms of sales announced sales of Dh6.892 billion ($1.888 billion) for 2015.

Hublot might be the next LVMH brand to launch a Smartwatch.

Hublot could be the next LVMH brand to launch a smartwatch, according to a Bloomberg interview with Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer and Hublot. Although details were thin on the ground, Biver said a Hublot smartwatch would feature sports-related functions.

It is not clear whether Hublot will follow the same path as the TAG Heuer Connected by opting for Android Wear as the platform, but it's expected to arrive in 2017 or 2018.

Huawei unveils Innovative Smart Wearable Devices for as low as US$ $300 to $800.

Huawei’s Android Wear smartwatch was the talk of the town in 2015, and despite waiting a long time for the company to sort out some software issues and design tweaks, the Huawei Watch is still one of the best options available for a wrist in the Android Wear lineup according to a recent news published in the American luxury magazine.

The smartwatch comes with a variety of strap options to pair with its rose gold plated stainless steel, stainless steel, and black-coated steel models. These straps include the basic leather option, metal, stainless steel mesh, alligator-pressed brown leather, and rose gold bracelet options. The price ranges from $300 to $800 depending on the model and strap or bracelet desired, and it is available via Huawei, Best Buy, Amazon, and the Google Store.

Company News

A.Lange & Söhne - A task for the next six months

Eight trainee watchmakers from Japan, the United States, Sweden, Finland, France and Germany take part in this year’s “F. A. Lange Scholarship & Watchmaking Excellence Award”. They visited Dresden and Glashütte from 9 to 13 May 2016 to gain insights into the traditional craft of watchmaking and find out about the competition task. The trainees have time until 10 November 2016 to complete the task. Their designs will then be evaluated by a panel of experts.

Officine Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2016.

The XXI edition of Les Voiles d’Antibes concluded on June 5 after four days of exhilarating racing. The first round of the 2016 Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Mediterranean Circuit attracted no less than 75 sailing yachts to its start-line, four of which took home the prestige Panerai watches for the winners of the individual classes: Moonbeam IV (1914) in the Big Boats, Chinook (1916) in the Vintage Yachts, Encounter (1976) in the Classic Yachts and Freya (2003) in the Spirit of Tradition.

Zenith along with Rivoli Group launched ZENITH EL PRIMERO COHIBA in Dubai.

Zenith recently hosted the launch of the ZENITH EL PRIMERO COHIBA edition in Dubai. The event that took place in collaboration with Zenith’s luxury retail partners in the city, Rivoli Group, which was held at the N.5 Cigar lounge at the Ritz Carlton-DIFC. Selected Cigar aficionados from the city were invited for the exclusive event which also had the CEO of Zenith, Mr. Aldo Magada and the Vice Chairman & Managing Partner of Rivoli Group, Mr. Ramesh Prabhakar in attendance.

BUBEN&ZORWEG ranked among the top 25 German luxury brands.

Among the 250 Luxury brands scrutinised by a board of 150 experts on the past 9th of June, BUBEN&ZORWEG debuted directly in the TOP 10%, placing itself among the very finest luxury marques like A. Lange & Söhne, Montblanc, Leica, Porsche or BMW. The conference organisers identified BUBEN&ZORWEG as the “Top New Entrant to the ranking list that is impressing watch lovers with a high quality standard, innovation and pioneering work.”

Product Launch

ARMIN STROM hits top speed with its Max Chilton Edition Edge Double Barrel.

The ARMIN STROM Edge Double Barrel suits the daring, high-octane world of professional car racing. ARMIN STROM designed a custom edition together with pro driver Max Chilton, a friend and brand ambassador. On the dial side, Chilton's numeral 8 appears in the small seconds register. Striking blue hour numbers match the blue on his turbocharged Chevrolet racecar. Straps delivered with a black alligator strap and double-fold clasp in stainless steel PVD black as well as an additional black rubber strap.

DeWitt presents the Blue Empire collection.

The DeWitt reveals its latest creation, Blue Empire, a collection of jewellery watches dedicated to women. Its 36-mm diameter round case in rose gold or gold and steel is embellished with a timeless metal wristband with delicate jewellery fastenings. The wristband of the rose gold model is set with a thin line of round diamonds at its centre. The midnight blue dial is lit up by a guilloché sunray pattern decorated with 12 appliques indicating the hours. The Blue Empire watch's crown in rose gold and blue lacquer is surrounded by a delicate circular row of 20 round diamonds.

Carl F. Bucherer unveils The Patravi ScubaTec White.

Carl F. Bucherer offers the ideal timepiece for graceful immersion in a brand new design- The Patravi ScubaTec White. The white rubber strap perfectly complements the white dial and white ceramic bezel. The new Patravi ScubaTec reveals its connection with the ocean through the wave pattern adorning its dial. The case is stainless steel, sapphire crystal with antireflective coating on both sides. Strap is of rubber with adjustable folding clasp in stainless steel.

Chopard presents Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Black Edition.

Chopard as the Official Timing Partner for Porsche Motorsport for the 2016 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, presents Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Black Edition. The case is bead-blasted, blackened by DLC titanium, engraved and black-lacquered titanium bezel with tachymeter function, secured by eight screws in PVD-blackened steel. Its matt black dial features red counter hands, minute’s markers and central sweep-seconds hand. This chronograph is designed with a black rubber strap inspired by slick competition racing tyres and secured by a folding clasp in DLC-coated titanium.

Ulysse Nardin presents Skeleton Tourbillon “Pearl”.

The timepiece Skeleton Tourbillon “Pearl”shimmers from the inside out. Crafted of mother- of-pearl, pearl, diamond and white gold. In skeletonizing, the structure of components is reduced to a bare minimum. It is this reduction that allows light to permeate through, thus giving a watch the appearance of weightlessness. The entire movement seems to float on air. Oversized with a 44 mm case and offering a notable seven-day power reserve, the three-dimensional Pearl marries the beauty of high jewelry with the genius of Haute Horlogerie.

Istana Jewellers introduces Xpandable™ Collection by Picchiotti.

Istana Jewellers presents the new XPANDABLE ™ Collection from PICCHIOTTI. The XPANDABLE™ Collection combines modern designs with comfortable fit. The jewellery pieces stretch smoothly over the knuckles, wrists and contract back in place. The Collection includes exquisite XPANDABLE™ eternity rings, fashion rings and bracelets in the most precious metals, diamonds, colored gemstones, ceramics, mother-of-pearl, turquoise, coral and more.

Messika Paris introduces the Calypso Collection.

The necklace comprises 264 pear-cut diamonds which float elegantly around the neck. The incredibly delicate Calypso earrings fit perfectly along the earlobe’s natural lines as if made bespoke for their owner. The Calypso Earcuff, worn singly, demonstrates the full impact of the classic pear-shape diamond cut used to create a rock & roll edge.

Exhibitions & Events

The Rolex DEEPSEA CHALLENGE Exhibition to be held in July 2016.

Introducing for the first time in Lebanon, the DEEPSEA CHALLENGE, a joint scientific expedition led by film- maker James and explorer James Cameron in partnership with Rolex, and National Geographic that takes on a new journey to mankind’s deepest frontier. For four exclusive days, visitors will enjoy retracing the expedition and will discover how Rolex, and Rolex watches, played a pioneering role in the conquest of the deep. The Rolex Deepsea Challenge public viewing will be held from 18 to 21 July 2016, at the Automobile et Touring Club Du Liban (ATCL) in Jounieh.

"Public access to ATCL’s private premises through OBLIGATORY PRE-REGISTRATION at rsvp@aschronora.com"

Celebrity News

Ashley Benson shines in Messika Jewelry at the MuchMusic Video Awards.

Ashley Benson wears Messika Jewelry for the MuchMusic Video Awards red carpet. The beautiful heroine of “Pretty Little Liars” blend the iconic collections, Angel, Move and Glam’Azone to complement her sensual look.

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