UAE economy set for stronger growth in H2 2023; The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève and the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie to participate in the Geneva Watch Days program

   
 
 

Market News

 

UAE economy set for stronger growth in H2 2023

Despite the geopolitical ramifications that the global economy is currently facing, the UAE economy is poised for stronger growth, recovery, and prosperity in the second half of this year, supported by a track record of economic successes that have fructified into the UAE’s designation as an innovation-driven economy, reported state news agency, WAM. The UAE economy’s strength and recovery from the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic are evident in the positive projections made by international institutions and banks including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. Following a growth rate of 7.9 per cent in 2022, the UAE’s economy is expected to maintain its upward trajectory in 2023, benefitting from sustained tourism activity and higher capital expenditure, the IMF said in its 2022 Article IV assessment.
 

The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève and the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie to participate in the Geneva Watch Days program

Almost 40 watch brands will officially present their latest releases by the banks of Lake Geneva as part of the Geneva Watch Days, which are being held for the fourth time. For the first time, this autumn’s watchmaking event will welcome the two heavyweights of the watchmaking world as part of its schedule: the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) and the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH). To mark the official opening of the Salon, the GPHG will announce the 90 timepieces nominated by the GPHG Academy – made up of 840 members – to compete in the 15 categories of the GPHG 2023. From among these nominees, the Jury and the Academy will then select the recipients of the 20 awards – including the coveted "Aiguille d’Or" Grand Prix – whose names will be revealed on November 9 during the official GPHG Awards Ceremony.
 
 

Product Launch

 

Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition ‘Desert Racer’

Following a successful initial collaboration in 2021, Chopard is once again combining its creativity with that of the Bamford Watch Department studios to deliver a very exclusive edition of its Mille Miglia GTS Power Control timepiece. With its orange, grey and black details, its oversized numerals and its woven-effect rubber strap, the new Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition ‘Desert Racer’ reflects the passion uniting Chopard with motorsports. These 50 timepieces are crafted in bead-blasted titanium – a light, yet sturdy material. Subtly combining sleek aesthetics and technical excellence, it is powered by the Chopard 01.08-C movement endowed with chronometer-certified accuracy. The Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition ‘Desert Racer’ was able to survive its baptism of fire, thereby affirming its reliability, its precision and its ability to resist in a hostile environment.
 

Presenting the Baignoire De Cartier Watch

The history of the Baignoire watch is at the heart of Cartier’s emblematic watchmaking style. After the square shape of the Santos watch in 1904 and the bold design of the Tortue in 1906, the Maison created a watch in 1912 with a rectangular case rounded at the ends. The concept continued to evolve until 1958, with a so-called “curved oval” watch, whose slightly curved case fits the contour of the wrist. This was the first appearance of the watch that was to be named the Baignoire in 1973, already displaying the volume it is known for and its signature details: a domed crystal, a dial with Roman numerals and a smooth gold ribbon. Since then, the Baignoire watch has remained true to itself, appearing in a number of variations. This iconic watch takes on an infinite number of possible forms, each time resembling only itself.
 

ZENITH launches new DEFY Skyline Skeleton Boutique Edition with touches of gleaming gold

Far more than an openworked watch, the DEFY Skyline Skeleton brings forth an entirely new design language to the world of skeleton watches. Now, the DEFY Skyline Skeleton takes on a new chromatic palette of grey and silver with golden highlights as a boutique-exclusive edition. Drawing inspiration from modern cityscapes where structures and light are bound in a constantly moving interplay, the DEFY Skyline Skeleton seamlessly integrates the open dial with an openworked version of the El Primero high-frequency automatic. A work of perfect symmetry seldom found in skeleton watches, the open dial takes on the form of a four-pointed stars, recalling the ZENITH “double Z” logo of the 1960s. For the Boutique Edition, the dial takes on a silvery-grey colour, with a darker chapter ring featuring applied gold-plated baton hour markers filled with Super-LumiNova and matching hands for effortless legibility.
 

H. Moser & Cie. launches its Streamliner Flyback Chronograph Automatic in red gold on a rubber strap

In honour of its first two boutiques, recently opened in Hong Kong and Shanghai, H. Moser & Cie. is launching its Streamliner Flyback Chronograph Automatic in red gold on a rubber strap. A brand-new look for a model which will only be available in the brand's exclusive spaces and online on its sales platform. To date only available in steel, the Streamliner Flyback Chronograph is characterised by its unique design, which is one of the most refined and fluid available on the market and, doubtless, the most distinctive. Like a secret signature, the transparent lacquer logo is a subtle reminder of the pre-eminence of the product. The brand must take a back seat to its creation. Cultivating a minimalist philosophy, H. Moser & Cie. is synonymous with refined elegance and understatement. The rest of the aesthetic features and functions of the Streamliner Flyback Chronograph Automatic Boutique Edition remain unchanged.
 

Parmigiani Fleurier presents Tonda PF Sport

Parmigiani Fleurier speaks a distinctive language of discreet luxury and natural elegance, and the new Tonda PF Sport line is no exception. Enriching the Tonda PF collection with timepieces tailored for our modern, active lives, the new Tonda PF Sport line is introduced with two models: a Chronograph and a time-only Automatic. Offered in a choice of steel or 18ct pink gold, the Tonda PF Sport Chronograph and Tonda PF Sport Automatic have been designed as active counterparts to their Tonda PF siblings. With their cases measuring 41mm in diameter (Automatic) and 42mm (Chronograph) and their chic, androgynous styling, both models are highly wearable, whether on a bare wrist or under a shirt cuff. 
 

CLÉ unveils exclusive collaboration with MB&F

As a trailblazer in the local luxury ecosystem, CLÉ has continually redefined the concept of personalized experiences for trendsetters, collectors and aficionados. Guided by a passion for sharing captivating brand stories, CLÉ has evolved from a luxury consultancy service to a transformative omnichannel platform that seamlessly connects people, partners, products and services in a truly immersive and localized manner. The MB&F collectors' dinners represent a milestone for CLÉ, firmly establishing its position as the key gateway between the collectors' community and the most sought-after brands. The exclusive 2-day event will serve as an extraordinary introduction of MB&F to the dynamic Saudi market, offering local collectors and enthusiasts the unprecedented opportunity to witness the world-famous avant-garde timepieces firsthand and experience the epitome of horological craftsmanship.
 

Maurice Lacroix AIKON Automatic Limited Summer Edition

The AIKON Automatic Limited Summer Edition swaps city life for vacation vibes while still remaining true to the classical model’s urban-themed design language. This season’s Limited Summer Editions come in a choice of three case sizes, each endowed with their own unique characteristics. The 35mm case option is available with a Ballerina Pink dial, a colour that resembles the appearance of the night sky just before the sun goes down. Alternatively, would-be wearers can opt for a dial dressed in Tanager Turquoise, a colour reminiscent of shallow ocean water. Both models employ a combination of batons and diamond-set indexes to denote the hours. The 39mm Limited Summer Edition proffers universal appeal, suiting both male and female wrists. Once again, Ballerina Pink or Tanager Turquoise endue the model with a dose of sun-kissed charm and youthful vitality. 
 

Artya launches the AquaSaphir

Rated to 6 ATM, the AquaSaphir is the first sapphire crystal aquatic watch on the market capable of withstanding the pressure down to a depth of 60 meters (over 195 feet). It is the first watch to have been ingeniously designed without any steel elements in the sapphire crystal case. No visible screws, no metal casing, nothing to block the watch’s transparency. A technically complex and daring choice that allows for an unprecedented and unparalleled aesthetic. And thanks to the remarkable hardness of sapphire – 9 on the Mohs scale, the hardest mineral right after diamond and moissanite – it also translates into a case that is naturally scratch-resistant. To accentuate the AquaSaphir’s summery visual vibe, the bezel has been crafted in cyan-tinted NanoSaphirTM, giving the crystal’s transparency a vibrant, turquoise hue that in turn emphasizes the watch’s affinity with the surf and beyond.
 

Introducing MU03-401 AGED HARD BRONZE ARMURE by Mauron Musy

Toughness and durability. Such was the challenge behind this exclusive 88-piece limited-edition timepiece. Driven by its insatiable quest for innovation. Mauron Musy has conquered its latest stride into watchmaking eternity: enter the MU03-401 AGED HARD BRONZE ARMURE. The result of two years of R&D, this extraordinary timepiece features the introduction of ultra-hard industrial bronze fused with wholly contemporary khaki. Meeting the technical constraints of the brand’s patented gasket-free, direct mechanical nO-Ring® sealing technology, as well as embodying a natural 1000-hour ageing process enabling this 21st century remake of an age-old metal: the AGED HARD BRONZE ARMURE boasts a uniform patina while remaining stable over the long term.
 

Presenting Le Chronographe Monopoussoir Louis Erard x Massena LAB

This is not the first time that Louis Erard has opened the door to classical watchmaking and taken a look back at the 19th century. Nor is this the first time that Louis Erard has invited Massena LAB to co-produce a creation. After Le Régulateur, shortlisted for the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, the four-handed collaboration this time focused on the monopusher chronograph. A highly technical speciality - a single pusher to start, stop and reset the chronograph - which is expressed with great simplicity by Louis Erard: a single 30-minute totalizer on a separate dial at 12 o'clock. As its name suggests, this is a laboratory, with a laboratory technician, William Massena. Like all the other collaborations, Le Chronographe Monopoussoir Louis Erard x Massena LAB is therefore produced in a limited series: 178 pieces - a figure that symbolises "together we are stronger". 178 pieces in two variations: rhodium-plated or gilded dial.
 

Boghossian presents Desert Rose Collection

Boghossian has introduced the Desert Rose Collection, a tribute to the natural wonder of the stunning desert roses that bloom in arid lands along the Silk Road, which have long served as a source of inspiration for the Maison. Boghossian expertly recreates the intricate silhouette of the desert rose in a new, one-of-a-kind ring and pair of earrings available in two sizes. The pieces are crafted from 18k rose gold and meticulously assembled by hand. The pink hue of the gold evokes the colour of desert sands and the romanticism of roses, while the roughness of the gold reflects the natural essence of the crystal. As light interacts with the petals, it creates a shimmering effect that adds to the luminosity of the pink tone. The overlapping petals are adorned with half-moon, oval, and triangle diamonds, which sparkle like the sun on crystallized sand.
 

Damas launches the new Farfasha Sunkiss Garden collection

Inspired by nature and loved by women of all generations, the iconic Farfasha jewellery range from Damas Jewellery, house of jewellery design, is celebrating a new chapter in its legacy with the launch of the new Farfasha Sunkiss Garden collection. Carrying us to sun-filled days spent in gardens filled with blossoming flowers, Farfasha SunKiss Garden features colourful adornments, where semi-precious stones appear like petals in harmonious designs. Amethyst, London blue topaz, blue topaz, lemon quartz and mother of pearl all make an appearance in this collection, each enhancing the composition with its irresistible hue. For Farfasha Sunkiss Garden, the iconic Arfaj flower, or desert daisy, makes a beautiful return to embellish this new sparkling collection of necklaces, bracelets, anklets, earrings and rings.
 
 
 
 

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