Market Report

Tiffany & Co. will open Flagship Boutique in Kuwait

Tiffany & Co. will celebrate the opening of its flagship boutique in Kuwait’s most prestigious mall, The Avenues. The flagship boutique will be operated by luxury retail group Al Bisher & Al Kazemi Company, Tiffany’s business partner in Kuwait. The official inauguration of this latest addition to tiffany & Co. expansion plan in the Middle East is schedule for 10th April.

Market News

UAE economy to grow 3.3% in 2013

High public spending due to strong oil prices will ally with Dubai’s recovery and safe investment to boost the UAE economy by around 3.3 per cent in 2013 despite an expected fall in crude output, according to a key Saudi bank. The country’s real GDP swelled by around 4.9 per cent in 2011 and 4.2 per cent in 2012 and growth will likely remain relatively high this year while its fiscal system will continue to record largely surpluses, Saudi American Bank group (SAMBA) said. Releasing its monthly bullet in this week, SAMBA said the UAE has benefited from its “safe haven” position given the unrest in much of the broader MENA region.

PPR announced its new name and logo

PPR Chairman and CEO François-Henri Pinault announced the changes of the company name and logo as Kering pronounced “caring” this summer. The group chose the name Kering to express its culture of “taking care of” its brands, people, stakeholders and the environment. “Ker” means “home” in Breton, the Celtic language spoken in the Brittany region of France where the Pinault family originated. The company is set to begin airing an online video and advertisements about the name change in North America, Europe and Asia. The PPR-to-Kering name change is subject to shareholder approval at the group’s annual general meeting scheduled for June 18.

Dior and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons new partnership in the UAE

Dior Timepieces has announced that it will partner with the leading UAE retailer Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons to offer its extensive range of timepieces. With a diverse portfolio of over 60 brands on offering including Chopard, Chanel, Patek Philippe, Rolex and Hublot among many other leading Swiss brands, Ahmed Seddiqi and Sons enjoys over 65 boutiques and retail outlets in the UAE. Dior timepieces are available at selected Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons stores across the United Arab Emirates

Harry Winston celebrates the opening of its first Salon in Kuwait

Harry Winston opened its first salon in Kuwait, in partnership with premier retailer, Kuwait Luxury Co. The new 122-square meter salon is located in the exclusive Prestige District of the Avenues Mall in Kuwait.

Dubai Duty free achieved sales worth DH 1.6b in the first quarter 2013

Dubai Duty Free recorded sales worth Dh 1.6 billion in the first quarter of this year, marking a 12 percent increase from the same period a year earlier.

Company News

Longines adds its touch of elegance to the Dubai World Cup

A successful end to Dubai’s racing season was marked with the exciting and exhilarating Dubai World Cup. Titled the world’s richest race, the Dubai World Cup is a thrilling exhibition of skill, precision and fashion as the world’s top riders battle it out for eventual triumph while smart men and stylish women watch them in action. Swiss watchmaker Longines, the official timekeeper of the event for the third time, added its inimitable touch of elegance as the brand honored the winners with timepieces from their newest collection, Conquest Classic.

Stacy Lewis is the newest brand ambassador of Omega

OMEGA announced Stacy Lewis as the newest brand ambassador; Stacy Lewis is the top-ranked player in the world and current leader on the 2013 LPGA money list. Lewis won the 2013 HSBC Women’s Champions in February and, most recently, the winner of 2013 RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup.

The Announcement of Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2013

The Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge is making ready for the 2013 season, and has announced the addition of a new host city and event to its ranks. Naples, one of the world’s most extraordinary cities, joins the PCYC’s Mediterranean circuit this year, with its legendary Bay providing the backdrop for the 10th edition of “Le Veled’Epoca a Napoli” between June 26th and 30th 2013. The 2013 Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge opens, as per tradition, with the big Antigua regatta in the Caribbean. The long-standing events on both international circuits (Mediterranean and North America) also return as does Coweson the Isle of Wight which isgaining in impetus with each passing year.

Frédérique Constant introduces Mrs. Inès Sastre as New Female Charity Ambassador

Frédérique Constant announced Inès Sastre a model & actress and actively involved in children causes, particularly in Premap, will be the brand’s Female Charity Ambassador for the next two years. In particular, Inès will play a major role in Frédérique Constant’s support of the World Heart Federation. Frédérique Constant is honored to be supporting the “Hearts of Children” campaign. This partnership will include the Swiss watch manufacturer launching a beautiful “Ladies World Heart Federation” collection. The “Ladies World Heart Federation” Automatic Collection is a series of four unique and beautifully designed models from Frédérique Constant to support the “Hearts of Children” campaign. 
     

Jaquet Droz presents its new website

Jaquet Droz presents its new website worldwide. The latter is not only infused with the brand’s DNA and elegant philosophy, but also combined with the latest on-line technological innovations, such as HTML 5 or responsive design concept. An easy browsing through the Jaquet Droz universe was the main objective. For its new website, the Atelier from La Chaux-de-Fonds has reinvented the codes of contemporary luxury offering visitors a unique interactive experience.

Product Launch

ContaTempo Scuderia to launch the automatic watch collections

ContaTempo Scuderia will be launching its first automatic watch collections at Basel World 2013. Constructed with four precise pieces, and with horns applied and finished by hand to fit the various styles of its crowns or pushers, the line boasts top of the line standards. Across all collections is a sapphire crystal 46 mm dial accompanied with the highest visibility LumiBright system, screw crowns and a 10 ATM water resistance. Each watch includes unique black stainless steel Sapphire case backs to uncover the intricacy of the movement in addition to sterling silver blue screws and flamboyant enamel colors of the Italian flag.

Vacheron Constantin presented the new Patrimony Contemporaine Pocket Watch

Vacheron Constantin’s pocket watch can be attached to a pocket, worn on a chain or placed on a desk like a table clock is sensually curved model, equipped with the Manufacture-made hand-wound 4440 movement and housed inside a brown leather pouch sliding along a leather cord strap or fitted on an original chain with pink gold links. Its generous 28.60 mm diameter, magnified by the transparency of the sapphire crystal case back, is perfectly adjusted to the equally generously sized 43 mm case.

The HMS1 Royal Blue from Arnold & Son

The HMS1 Royal Blue from Arnold & Son is an object of beauty and a worthy new member of the Royal Collection. Finished with intricate guilloché pattern overlaid by sumptuous, translucent deep blue lacquer, it creates a spectacular illusion of depth that contrasts with and is underscored by the ultra-slim case in elegant rose gold. The A&S1001 calibre, with its gorgeous Côtes de Genève rayonnantes decoration. The movement is made of rhodium-treated nickel silver with haute horlogerie finishing.

Bremont’s ALT1-B2 (GMT) and U-2 Blue collection to release at Baselworld 2013

Bremont announced the release of its latest timepieces, the Bremont ALT1-B2 (GMT) Chronograph and U-2 Blue Chronometer Collection. The ALTI-B2 (GMT) chronograph is modified BE-54E movement, Trip-Tick case with the Roto-Click® internal bezel and black DLC case. And the U-2 Blue is the blue-faced, blue-barrelled U-2 Chronometer, U-2/BL. U2 Chronometer has a Anti shock rubberized movement mount; designed to withstand the MB ejection seat program.

ArtyA introduces the Son of Sound collection

Artya introduced the first “tribute to Rock” collection with high end guitar shaped watch. ArtyA Woodstock movement co-developed with SC2 and Concepto; 4 active "tuning pegs" pushers start/stop, reset, hours change, date change , the Case is in gold, steel (PVD treated or not) or titanium , Strings in gold, hand-stretched and the Width is 42mm.

The Charriol’s New AEL Lady Watch

Charriols’s Ael timepiece featuring an ETA quartz movement comes in a discreet 34mm size; the lunette and case back are crafted from black or white ceramic, with a slim twisted cable. The strap is worked in white or black rubber.

Nautica watches newest timepiece, the NCS 801

The classic design of Nautica NCS 801 is balanced of style and sport. Featuring Japanese chronograph movement in a 46mm stainless steel case, this striking watch is functional and fashionable with 60-minute chronograph and 24-hour indicators, plus a small date window between the 4 and 5 o'clock marks. The NCS 801 is available in four variations: a black dial with a black strap, a mink dial with a brown strap, a black dial with rose gold highlights and a brown strap, and a blue dial with rose gold highlights and a blue strap.

Grieb & Benzinger presents a New Black Tulip Sabudha Imperial Watch

Grieb & Benzinger has presented a new signature bespoke watch, the Black Tulip Sabudha Imperial. The watch is an exceptionally decorated wristwatch inspired by the majesty, mystery and magic of the Middle East, and prominently spotlights a re-imagination of the most mythical jewel in the world. Black Tulip Sabudha Imperial is a sumptuous hand-wound watch, whose open-worked design is influenced by Arabic style and in particular inspired by the artistry of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

Alain Philippe launched the Antarctica collection

The Antarctica new collection revealed recently by Alain Philippe features white, yellow or pink gold set with white diamond together with perfectly crafted time instruments; give an irresistible brilliance that creates the most elegant of lines on the wrist.

Exhibitions & Events

Louvre Abu Dhabi exhibits the Birth of a Museum on 16 April

The exhibition will open to the public on the 22 April until 20 July, 2013 and will then open in Paris at the Louvre in October, 2013. The “Birth of a Museum” showcases 130 art works from Louvre Abu Dhabi’s permanent collection at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Cultural District’s art and exhibition centre, giving visitor’s insight into the museum’s narrative and collection ahead of its opening in 2015.

Exceptional watches to be auctioned at Antiquorum in New York City

Antiquorum Auctioneers, the world’s premier auctioneers of modern & vintage timepieces, is eagerly awaiting its April 10th auction of “Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces” in New York City. Amongst the many outstanding pieces offered in the upcoming sale are some exceptional watches associated with world renowned celebrities and iconic figures.

The 36th Istanbul Jewelry Show March smashed all

The 36th Istanbul Jewelry Show March organized by UBM Rotaforte with the Main Sponsorship of Türk Ekonomi Bankasi (Turkish Economy Bank/TEB), has received a remarkable 30% increase in total visitors compared to the 2012 edition.

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