Market News

Mall of the Emirates strengthening its fashion district

According to the statement, Mall of the Emirates (MOE), developed by Majid Al Futtaim Properties has undergoing a redevelopment valued at Dh1 billion. The project, or Evolution 2015, will bring more stores, as well as dining and entertainment options to the mall by 2015. Phase one, which commenced this summer, will introduce a Dh100 million fashion district across an area of 5,000 sq.metre, and is expected to be completed by early 2014.

Dubai’s non-oil trade rose 16 percent for the first half of 2013

Dubai’s non-oil trade for the first half of 2013 amounted to Dh679 billion in value, a growth rate of 16 percent from last year’s Dh584 billion during the same period.

Company News

Tiffany & Co. names design director

Tiffany & Co. has announced the appointment of Francesca Amfitheatrof as Design Director effective immediately. She will oversee design of all Tiffany product categories. Ms. Amfitheatrof’s background is as a jewelry designer and silversmith. Her designs have been sold internationally, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and Colette in Paris. She has also developed jewelry for fashion brands, including Chanel, Fendi and Marni. In addition, she has acted as an art consultant, curator and advisor for major collections and private individuals. Most recently, she served as the founding partner of RS&A, a London-based agency representing contemporary artists. She is a graduate of Royal College of Art, Central Saint Martins and Chelsea Art School.

Pomellato opens its first boutique in Abu Dhabi

In partnership with Al Tayer Group, Pomellato opens its boutique at The Galleria at Sowwah Square, Al Maryah Island, which will be the Milanese jewellery maison’s first Abu Dhabi boutique.

A. Manzoni & Fils relaunches in US

The Swiss luxury brand A. Manzoni & Fils has announced the re-launch of their iconic luxury brand with a Kickstarter campaign to fund a limited edition run of the Canopus Weekplanner. This timepiece has been designed by Ilkka Suppanen, and through the Kickstarter campaign will be available for a significantly discounted purchase price for early adopters. The Kickstarter campaign launched at 6:00 PM EST on August 27th. The campaign will conclude at the same time on October 27th. For this limited time, watch enthusiasts and connoisseurs will have an opportunity to purchase the first run of these luxury timepieces at one third of the retail price - $5,000 US, and through their participation, become a part of the future history of this reborn brand.

Breitling celebrates the 50th anniversary of the world’s fastest motorsport

Created in 1964, the Reno Air Races are celebrating in 2013 half a century of performance, excitement and breathtaking sights. Each year, in September, hundreds of thousands of spectators converge on the Nevada desert to admire the famous “pylon” races in which planes are flown just a few feet off the ground at speeds of more than 500 mph. As the main sponsor of the event, Breitling actively supports this combination of daring and precision, freedom and control that takes aviation to the frontiers of possibility. To enable the many enthusiasts of fast-paced feats to experience the excitement of the Reno races, Breitling also offers an incredible online air racing game available for free download on iOS (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad) and Android – and optimized for all the latest versions of these platforms.

Bremont opens its flagship boutique in Hong Kong

Following on from the success of its award winning stand alone flagship in London, Bremont opens its first boutique overseas in Hong Kong. Located on Lyndhurst Terrace in Central Hong Kong, the boutique will be over 2000 sq ft and will be a showcase for the company in Asia, to compliment the brands growth in the region. Giles English, Co-Founder of Bremont “It is a big step for us to launch our own boutique in Hong Kong but we wanted to build on our considerable success with London and the exciting growth that Bremont has seen. When you have your own store you can really communicate your own brand message and DNA to your consumer. It also has a very positive effect on your wholesale markets as the brand becomes more visible.”

Frederique Constant organizes Charity Gala Dinner

Frederique Constant has been working since 2009 alongside charitable organizations involved in the fight against heart disease. The brand is currently supporting the World Heart Federation’s “Hearts of Children” international awareness-raising campaign. The focus of these activities is on preventing disease in women and children. In order to support the project, Frederique Constant organized a charity gala dinner in aid of the Swiss Heart Foundation and the “Hearts of Children” initiative in conjunction with renowned Zurich watchmaking specialists Türler Uhren & Juwelen at the Savoy Hotel Baur en Ville in Zurich.

Roger Dubuis dedicates a timepiece for Only Watch 2013

Roger Dubuis symbolically dedicates a unique piece from its La Monégasque collection to Only Watch 2013, the prestigious two-yearly charity auction benefiting research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, of which the latest edition will be held on September 28th at the Monaco Yacht Show.

Havas signs Mouawad PR account

Mouawad Jewelry has recently signed-up with Havas PR officies in Dubai as its PR agency for the Middle East region.

Product Launch

Arnold & Son launches TB Victory

Arnold & Son has unveiled its latest true beat timepiece, the exquisite TB Victory. Gracing the right-hand side of the dial is a 22-carat solid gold appliqué of the famous warship, traditionally hand-chased with breathtaking richness of detail by Arnold & Son’s master engraver and then duplicated for the series. In traditional hand-engraving, hardened steel burins and other tools are used to create the cuts, lines and texturing that build up entire images – in this case a perfectly sculpted likeness of the HMS Victory – and underline Arnold & Son’s mastery of the decorative arts. The TB Victory is powered by the A&S6103 calibre, the first automatic movement with an integrated true beat system to be developed, designed and manufactured entirely at Arnold & Son’s workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The TB Victory will be available in an exclusive limited edition of just 28 timepieces.

Girard-Perregaux introduces Tourbillon with three Gold Bridges, Lady

A silhouette enhanced by precious stones and fine watchmaking finishing that highlights its superb architecture, the Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges comes into its own in this feminine version. Cut in pink gold, the subtly profiled case gracefully fits the most delicate wrists. Crowned with a slightly domed sapphire crystal, its bezel and flange are set with more than 1.80 carats of diamonds, illuminating the Tourbillon Three Gold Bridges. Their perfect geometry is underscored by entirely hand-polished finishing, while the rounded proportions are gentle, magnified by an exceptional light-reflecting mirror polish.

Bell & Ross pays tribute to the falcon's 50th anniversary

Bell & Ross, shares Dassault's aviation values of innovation, quality and reliability. The two companies are teaming up to celebrate the Falcon's 50th anniversary and the launch of the VINTAGE SPORT HERITAGE line. Bell & Ross has created two limited editions, the VINTAGE FALCONS, to mark the outstanding jet's 50th anniversary.

RAYMOND WEIL introduces its new chronograph

RAYMOND WEIL has introduced its new chronograph, the maestro chronograph. With a classic allure, elegantly colored materials and modern dial design, the latest addition to the maestro collection sets the time to the rhythm of its hours indicated by Arabic numerals. The maestro chronograph, first presented in 2011, plays a melody around a more contemporary chord arrangement this year. On a silver dial, the hours are now depicted by Arabic numerals, leaving place in the center for a refined sunray guilloché decoration. The chronograph’s counters, located at 3 and 9 o’clock, read off horizontally.

Ulysse Nardin offers Black Toro

For centuries, perpetual calendar timepieces have existed. Yet it was in 1996 that Ulysse Nardin brought to market the world’s most functional perpetual calendar. Created by the master of watch innovation, Ludwig Oechslin, the timepiece, named the Perpetual Ludwig, marked a major milestone in watchmaking history. It allowed the forward and backward adjustment of all calendar displays over a single crown, eliminating the need to return the watch to the manufacturer in case of setting mistakes. An icon of sheer watchmaking perfection, the movement has appeared in Ulysse Nardin’s most significant timepieces, including the GMT+/- Perpetual with dual-time function, the mighty El Toro, and now, the Black Toro. Stunning in 18-karat rose gold with its black dial and ceramic bezel, Black Toro offers the simplest setting capability of the calendar functions.

Exhibitions & Events

Sotheby's to Offer the Greatest White Diamond Ever to Appear at Auction

Sotheby’s has recently announced that it will offer a Magnificent Oval Diamond of Supreme Importance in its Hong Kong auction of Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite on 7 October 2013. The remarkable 118.28 carat, D colour, Flawless, Type IIa stone of Excellent Polish and Excellent Symmetry is the largest D colour Flawless diamond ever to appear at auction, as well as the largest oval shaped, D colour Flawless or Internally Flawless diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Only four other white diamonds of this quality over 100 carats have ever been sold at auction, of which Sotheby’s has sold three – the present stone is nearly 20% larger than the first and previously largest ever offered, the 101.84 carat ‘Mouawad Splendour’, sold at Sotheby’s in 1990*.

Antiquorum to offer Modern Limited Edition Watches in their September Auction

Antiquorum is looking forward to its first auction of the fall season on September 18th at the Fuller Building in New York City. The outstanding and varied selection includes exceptional examples of modern limited edition timepieces from leading brands such as Audemars Piguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC and Panerai. Prior to the auction, previews will be held in Hong Kong, Shanghai and New York. The highlight of the sale is the exquisite Audemars Piguet Platinum Skeletonized Tourbillon Minute Repeater Chronograph, Ref. 26270. Made in 2009, it is a very rare minute-repeating, wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, round button chronograph and 30 minute register.

Celebrity News

Naomi Watts wears Chopard to the French premiere of movie Diana in Paris

Australian actress Naomi Watts chose to wear a beautiful pair of 18cts white gold earrings from the Precious Temptations Collection set with moonstones (42cts), purple sapphires and rubies as well as an 18cts white gold ring from the High Jewellery Collection set with an asher-cut diamond weighing 5 carats, and brilliants.

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