Dubai-Swiss trade reaches Dh16b in first half of 2015; UAE GDP to grow 3.5% to Dh1.6 trillion; Retailers gear up for launch of Apple Watch in the UAE

Market News

Dubai-Swiss trade reaches Dh16b in first half of 2015

Raymund Furrer, Consul-General of Switzerland, has hailed the steadfast efforts of Dubai Customs in supporting economic growth and pushing tourism and trade numbers up. He also praised its full commitment to implementing the free trade agreement between the GCC states and European Free Trade Association, EFTA. Switzerland is one of Dubai’s strategic trade partners in Europe with Dubai-Switzerland trade in the first half of 2015 amounting to Dh16 billion, with imports accounting for Dh9 billion, exports at Dh2 billion and re-exports at Dh5 billion.

UAE GDP to grow 3.5% to Dh1.6 trillion

According to Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the UAE is predicted to grow more than 3.5 per cent to more than Dh1.6 trillion this year, compared with Dh1.5 trillion in 2014. In a statement to WAM, the minister said the UAE’s ability to maintain high grow rates in the past years despite global economic volatility shows its economic efficiency and proves that its diversification policy is successful as it relies more on non-oil sectors to weather global challenges. The share of the industrial sector in the GDP is growing and now stands between 10-14 per cent. He expects the size of industrial investments in the UAE to double in five years.

Retailers gear up for launch of Apple Watch in the UAE

Retailers are confident that the launch of the Apple Watch in the UAE, which they expect later this month, will give the smartwatch segment the much-needed traction it has been lacking. In an industry where most top brands have already released more than one smarwatch model, launch is seen giving the smartwatch segment the “attention it needs”, according to Nadeem Khanzadah, head of omnichannel retail at the Jumbo Group.

Company News

Chopard reveals the spirit of its Iconic Happy Diamonds Collection in an exceptional event in Dubai

Chopard together with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons have hosted an exclusive and original event to share the Happy Spirit of its Happy Diamonds Collection with their guests. Ever since its creation, Chopard Happy Diamonds Collection has distinguished itself by the joyful swirl of precious dancing diamonds. The event was sparkling and spirited, animated by one-of-a-kind activities, through which guests could propel themselves in the twirling world of Chopard’s Happy Diamonds Collection. They also enjoyed the music vibe, as a lively female DJ was guiding their dance steps, embodying the very feeling of freedom that surrounds the carefree spirit of this iconic collection.

Van Cleef & Arpels opens the doors to its new boutique in Kuwait

Van Cleef & Arpels has opened its doors to its second boutique in Kuwait, in the Avenues Mall. The new boutique, in the Prestige area, evokes a realm of happiness and timeless elegance. The inauguration was held in the presence of Mr. Guy Châtillon, President of Van Cleef & Arpels Europe, Russia and Middle East; & Mr. Alessandro Maffi, newly appointed Managing Director of Van Cleef & Arpels, Middle East and India. Friends of the Maison were warmly welcomed to discover a dream-like decor, evoking the enchanted nature which is reminiscent in many of Van Cleef & Arpels creations. Nurtured by influences of a private Salon of the Art Nouveau period, powdery hues in a sumptuous array of silk and velvet surround the traditional façade.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Engraving at The Dubai Mall Exhibition

Jaeger-LeCoultre brings the essence of the Swiss Manufacture in the Vallée de Joux to the contemporary setting of The Dubai Mall, UAE. The exhibition features handcrafted timepieces presenting novelties, the new Geophysic, iconic Atmos, the Master Ultra Thin collection and Reverso collection (men and ladies) as well as an engraving demonstration. It will offer educational and inspiring insight into the realm of haute horology. It also provides visitors with the opportunity to become immersed within the intricacies of precision watchmaking. Watch aficionados will be offered the unique opportunity to participate in a private engraving class with an artisan from the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre. The exhibition is from October 6 to 17, 2015.

Officine Panerai announces the winners of Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge

Moonbeam IV (Big Boats category), Manitou (Vintage category) and Il Moro di Venezia I (Classic category) are the three prestige wood-built sailing yachts that have won the 2015 season trophies and, in doing so, added their names to the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Mediterranean Circuit roll of honour. The final stage on the circuit attracted a fleet of some 80 yachts of between 7 and 60 metres built between the late 1800s and the early years of this century. Four Panerai luxury sports watches were also presented to the winners of the main categories in Les Régates Royales.

NBA and TISSOT announces Global Partnership

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and TISSOT announced a new multiyear global partnership that makes the Swiss watch brand the first Official Timekeeper of the NBA, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and NBA Development League (NBA D-League). This marks the first Official Timekeeping partnership for TISSOT with a major North American sports league and the largest partnership in the company’s history of more than 160 years. With the agreement, TISSOT adds to an already robust portfolio of international sports and sporting event partnerships. TISSOT will work with the NBA to develop a state-of-the-art integrated timing system. The new precision timekeeping system, inclusive of TISSOT-branded shot clocks, will be implemented across all 29 NBA arenas beginning with the 2016-17 NBA season.

1915 by Ahmed Seddiqi opens its new store at Dubai Marina Mall

1915 by Ahmed Seddiqi inaugurated its tenth store, located on the Ground Floor of Dubai Marina Mall. Part of the Seddiqi Holding, 1915 by Ahmed Seddiqi is created to provide engaging retail experience through its diverse offerings with accessible price range, compelling interiors and service history through the Seddiqi legacy. Aiming to engage and inspire fashion enthusiasts with the newest trends updated by the season, the new store carries a total of 25 brands, some of which are new additions to the portfolio and exclusive to the Dubai Marina outlet such as: Marbella Paris, APM Morgane Bello and Michael Kors. The large assortment of accessories covering jewellery and watches matches the Seddiqi quality with a more accessible price range.

Product Launch

Richard Mille launches Tourbillon RM 26-02 Evil Eye

Richard Mille introduces the RM 26-02 Tourbillon Evil Eye, going beyond the norm to bring timekeeping to inspirational and intriguing levels of expression. Fashioned from 3N red gold, the flames and eye have been hand-carved using chisels made specifically to perfect the tiniest details. The art of grand feu enameling is what gives the eye its striking depth and realism. In grand feu enameling, the motif is painted onto the gold dial using various rare oxides before it is fired at a high temperature between 800°C and 900°C several times under the extremely attentive eye of the enameler in a process that leaves no room for mistakes. It is then finished with several more layers of transparent lacquer which are also fired in the identical manner. The RM 26-02 is produced in a limited edition of 25 timepieces in black TZP ceramic.

Slim d’Hermès 39.5mm timepieces for men with ultra-thin Manufacture movement

At the heart of the Slim d’Hermès 39.5 mm model beats the Manufacture Hermès ultra-thin movement revealed through its sapphire crystal case-back. The integration of a micro-rotor serves to slim down this self-winding calibre that now measures just 2.6 mm. Its design and development by Vaucher Manufacture guarantee a winding speed equivalent to that achieved by a traditionally sized self-winding movement. The 39.5 mm-diameter model is also equipped with a perpetual calendar mechanism, one of the most demanding horological complications. This function counts off the days and months while taking account of leap years. Once set, the watch will display the correct date until the next century year (a year that ends in two zeros).

Blue Ocean by Ulysse Nardin

Resolutely anchored in aquatic sports, Ulysse Nardin new Blue Ocean is designed to tackle extreme conditions. It perfectly combines its dual function as a diving instrument and beautiful watchmaking piece. Its stainless-steel case has been specially treated with a sophisticated vulcanisation process giving it a blue rubber coating with a remarkable appearance and a truly comfortable feel. Its exhibition case-back reveals the self-winding movement also blued. Fitted with a unidirectional rotating bezel and screwed crown, its individually-numbered case is water-resistant to 200 metres. This edition is limited to 1846 pieces, each individually numbered on the side of the case.

De Bethune introduces DB27D Polo Edition

To mark its first ever sponsorship of a polo tournament, the De Bethune Princely Polo Cup held in Vaduz on August 29th and 30th, the Manufacture presents a 10-piece limited edition of the DB27. Exclusively developed for the game of polo, the DB27 D Polo edition can withstand the violent impacts it is liable to sustain on the wrist of the rider wearing it. In an appealing aesthetic touch, the shimmering overall black polished effect is enlivened by a pink gold medallion hand-engraved with two mallets and inlaid with a hand-polished white gold ball.

Backes & Strauss presents Piccadilly Princess Royal Emerald Green

In commemoration of its 225th anniversary, Backes & Strauss collaborated with Gemfields in creation of the unique Piccadilly Princess Royal Emerald Green timepiece. With 245 Zambian emeralds with 10 different cuts totaling 31.91 carats, the vibrant green reflects London’s devotion to its natural landmarks and lush green parks, celebrated and cherished from the Regency Era to today.

Visconti presents the Opera collection

The New collections of the best Swiss Caliber Timepieces as well as great matching pens and cufflinks have been developed in Visconti’s prestigious atelier in Florence. Its squared circle form, combining a square and a circle, is not just the perfect ergonomic shape for the writing implement. Visconti has also used the same shape in designing the cases of its timepieces as well as the matching cufflinks and now, at long last, the brand forged a meeting point between time, the circle, and writing, the square. This exclusive design, which has been an iconic element of Visconti's identity since 2003, is now available both as a pen, cufflinks and as a precious timepiece.

Versace Fine Jewellery presents the Iconic Limited Edition Collection

Versace presented the Iconic Limited Edition - a new collection of high-end fine jewellery inspired by early creations of Versace, revamped by Donatella Versace. At the heart of the collection is the Medusa, the eternal symbol of power, and the iconic motif of Versace. Also highlighted is the legendary Greek key, which sets the graphic tone of mythology and classicism. Every piece is the result of the finest Italian craftsmanship, and the pure DNA of Versace itself. Each jewellery set - a necklace, bracelet and ring - is numbered and limited to 100 pieces. The powerful Medusa set is in yellow gold, encircled with brilliant cut diamonds. Bold 18K gold chains of the necklaces and the bracelets are engraved with Versace’s Greek key and encrusted with diamonds. The Greca set is also available as a combination of the Medusa and the Greek key, both with brilliant cut diamonds.

Tissot offers T-Touch Solar Jungfraubahn Special Editions

The men's version of the Tissot T-Touch Solar Jungfraubahn Special Edition is a cool piece, with the vintage drawing style of the Eiger, Mönch and the Jungfrau complemented by differing shades of greys, white and black, which also gives a 3D effect. All the details will make a mountaineer's life easier as well as looking stylish - the red tip of the hand will give better visibility, the minute track is easy to read with Super-LumiNova® and the bracelet is inspired by vintage rucksacks and crafted in a robust textile with leather detailing, while a buckle makes it easy to tie to backpacks. Women will love their version as much as men do theirs, appreciating the very discreet silver trace of the Matterhorn visible elegantly on the dial.

Exhibitions & Events

Sharjah Jewellery Show shines bright with 17% rise in visitors

The 39th MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show had a fantastic five-day run at Expo Centre Sharjah. The biannual show succeeded in attracting impressive visitor response, recording close to 17 per cent surge in footfalls, and in the process pulling in nearly 8,300 more shoppers than the previous edition. During its five days, the show witnessed 58,180 general and trade buyers, tourists and visitors stepping in to the six halls of Expo Centre Sharjah coming under the golden spell cast by the MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show. Held from October 6 to 10, 2015, under the patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the show featured nearly 500 exhibitors and brands from across the world.

Celebrity News

Jessica Chastain wears Piaget at London Movie Premiere for The Martian

Piaget International brand ambassador Jessica Chastain wore Piaget pieces while promoting her newest film, The Martian, in London’s Leicester Square Odeon cinema. Jessica Chastain wore pieces from the Limelight Rose Passion collection to accompany her dress by Elie Saab.

Doutzen Kroes wore Messika Paris at Vogue 95th Anniversary Party

Supermodel Doutzen Kroes wore a Messika Angel hand bracelet while attending the Vogue 95th Anniversary party held in Paris.

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