Malls across KSA and UAE have opened again; OMEGA launches its online shopping in Europe; DISCOVERY DAYS by Louis Moinet

Market News

Malls across KSA and UAE have opened again

While most malls have reopened in the United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the luxury watch and jewellery boutiques are now operational again. Vacheron Constantin has recently announced the reopening of its boutique in both The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates. Dubai Mall is open from 12:00pm to 09:00pm daily and Mall of the Emirates from 12:00pm to 10:00pm daily. As a result, Vacheron Constantin enhanced their in-store sanitization measures to include a 24/7 disinfection cleaning schedule, social distancing stickers placed, 30% store occupancy to respect guests’ space and mandatory staff temperature checks.

OMEGA launches its online shopping in Europe

OMEGA has officially launched its new online shopping in Europe. Introduced on the continent for the first time, the Swiss brand’s legendary collections, including Speedmaster, Seamaster, Constellation and De Ville, can now be purchased directly through the company’s website. Over the past several years, the introduction of OMEGA’s e-commerce has proven to be a huge success within the USA and UK, the first two markets to provide the platform. Now, the same excellent service and diverse choice of timepieces will be offered to European customers., bringing them closer to OMEGA than ever before.

DISCOVERY DAYS by Louis Moinet

Louis Moinet is offering a chance to explore its historical and creative values. This is an artistic rather than a commercial approach addressed to the whole world while staying at home. DISCOVERY DAYS is an event that is being held from April 30th to May 5th 2020, replacing the traditional Baselworld watch exhibition, in which Louis Moinet was to have participated. Louis Moinet's team is in Saint-Blaise, in the Imagination Room, the very place where Louis Moinet watches are created. The communication platform proposed to the friends of Louis Moinet, its Ambassadors and clients, is: www.louismoinet.com

Ressence and Sotheby’s Watches join forces against Coronavirus

Ressence and Sotheby’s Watch Division are joining forces against coronavirus this season and launching a competition to design a unique watch. For the first time ever, watch-lovers will have the chance to create their own interpretation of one of Ressence’s latest models, the Type 1 Slim. The competition is open until 12 May (2pm GMT). The winning design will be selected by Belgian designer and Ressence founder Benoît Mintiens, in consultation with the brand’s Swiss manufacturers, who will then bring the winning design to life as a watch. The unique piece will be offered in Sotheby’s Hong Kong “Important Watches” auction on 11 July. Proceeds from the sale will support the Covid-19 Research Programme at KU Leuven University in Belgium.

Company News

Van Cleef & Arpels collaborates with Emirati calligraphist Maryam Al Balooshi

Van Cleef & Arpels collaborates with well-known Emirati calligraphist Maryam Al Balooshi to create a beautiful series of calligraphy artworks inspired by values dear to the region, while also marrying the Maison’s spirit during this Holy Month of Ramadan. This meaningful partnership has resulted into a series of calligraphy art, themed Ramadan Kareem, Eid Mubarak and The Flowers of Values. Each artwork edition brings alive the message of positivity, inspiration, togetherness, unity, kindness and light, translating the very ethos of Ramadan and joyous occasion of Eid to come.

The art of decoration by Ferdinand Berthoud

No Fine Watch worth its salt can be without hand finishings – and indeed, at Ferdinand Berthoud, this principle is a cast-iron rule. So much so that no industrial finishing tools are allowed in the manufacture at all: gold, platinum, nickel silver, bronze, and steel are all fashioned there by human hands. As a result of this policy, each and every watch is unique. The angles are polished using gentian wood. The stem of this mountain plant is cut and delicately rubbed over the surface in question to produce a special sheen. It’s a process that dates back centuries – and is still used by Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud.

Czapek partners with Swiss start-up Adresta to digitize watch certificates

In the spirit of 'Collecting Rare People', Czapek is the first high-end watchmaker to partner with Adresta AG, a promising Swiss start-up digitally connecting watch manufacturers with retailers and collectors by transforming the timeless paper certificates into encrypted digital certificates. Adresta’s tamper-proof solution makes the history of every produced watch accessible, providing trust and transparency. Every step from manufacturing, guarantees, certificates, to servicing and the passing on to the next owner or inheritor can be securely stored in Adresta's distributed ledger.

Montblanc Patron of Art Homage to Moctezuma I

Created in the Montblanc Artisan Atelier from precious materials and shaped by highly skilled master craftsmen with great care and dedication, the new Montblanc Patron of Art Edition celebrates the life and influence of Moctezuma I (c. 1398-1469). In honour of Moctezuma’s credentials as a great warrior, the shape of the edition is inspired by the atlatl, an Aztec spear-throwing weapon used to propel spears or darts over long distances. The cap features a gold-coated design reminiscent of the atlatl’s thread-wrapped handles. The lacquer colours of the cap and barrel – petrol and carmine red – evoke the colours of Aztec culture and the royal cloak in particular.

Product Launch

Bvlgari introduces Bvlgari Cities Editions 2020

Based on a model introduced in the mid-1970s, the Bvlgari Bvlgari collection perpetuates this love affair between Bvlgari and its country of origin, with a deceptively simple design that actually incorporates multiple references to Italian culture. The brand has launched the Bvlgari Bvlgari Cities Editions 2020, inspired by the nine cities – Rome, Tokyo, Dubai, Paris, London, Ibiza, Milan, Mexico City and New York – that have hosted Bvlgari in the past. Following the design codes introduced over 40 years ago, the modern Bvlgari Bvlgari collection is an interesting combination between these classic elements and contemporary watchmaking.

Laurent Ferrier releases the new Grand Sport Tourbillon

The Grand Sport Tourbillon is housed in a 44mm stainless steel case and predominantly features circular satin-finished elements. The bezel is cushion-shaped but encompasses contrasting mirror-polished flanks. The middle of the case has a barrel-shaped outline, yet, consistent with other Laurent Ferrier timepieces, every constituent of the case coalesces harmoniously. For the first time, the Maison has equipped a watch with an integrated stainless steel bracelet. The central row of the 3-rows design is comprised of vertical satin finished links. The rounded edges of the links are presented in a contrasting mirror-polish. These details imbue the bracelet and case ensemble with a sumptuous appearance.

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Metropolitaine

Parmigiani Fleurier has presented a sumptuous new Tonda line, available in different versions to fulfil every desire. The play of light – showcasing the different diamond cuts, combined with the sidereal reflections of the aventurine or the golden lacework delicately applied over the mother-of-pearl – has been engineered to ensure that each of these unique spectacles is a triumph at every turn. And if this were not enough, a moon phase indicator adds to the poetry on every one of the dials.

Bell & Ross presents the BR 03-92 HUD

The instrument that inspired the latest Bell & Ross timepiece is the Head-Up Display or HUD. This is found in both cars and fighter jets, but Bell & Ross obviously chose the latter as an inspiration. The HUD is a transparent glass screen that displays information in the pilot’s visual field. ts primary function is to inform pilots while staying focused on the target ahead without having to take their eyes off the line of sight. It does so with augmented reality. With HUDs displaying digital data onto the windshield, pilots can be alerted about everything from the horizon line, altitude or speed to navigation aids such as the flight path vector – indicating the direction the jet is taking.

Seiko presents the Presage “Riki Enamel” Collection

Four new models inspired by the minimalism and legibility of designer Riki Watanabe’s celebrated 1977 Steel Clock join the Presage Collection. With beautifully handcrafted enamel dials in blue, brown and white, two automatic models (SPB113 and SPB115) and two automatic plus power reserve indicator (SPB161 and SPB163) enrich a collection renowned for its winning combination of Japanese craftsmanship, Seiko’s technical expertise and great value for money. Using a more basic, less stylized case construction with straight lugs, identical to the Presage Spring Drive models introduced last year, the new Seiko Presage “Riki Enamel” models underscore the essential and minimalist spirit of designer Riki Watanabe to perfection.

Bremont launches new MBII and online configurator

It’s over 10 years since the first Bremont Martin-Baker (MB) watch was released; a design born of the challenge to create a unique piece for pilots that had ejected using Martin-Baker ejection seats. As well as refining both white and black dial MBII models, a new blue dialled version has been added. The new dial design boasts bolder and more readable hands, a more contemporary styling of the numerals and a cleaner look with the removal of the day function. Bremont has also introduced a new online configurator which will enable customers to design their own MB. The online system will have preloaded dial, case, case back, barrel and strap choices to choose from for the MBII.

Montegrappa releases the Lord of the Rings: Eye of Sauron

Montegrappa returns to Middle-earth with an homage to the power of darkness. Sauron looms large in our sequel to The Lord of the Rings Limited Edition. From the bleakness appears a sinister glow: the Dark Lord’s life force is bound to the Ring. Sauron’s glowing eye glares from its position on a dark-black ruthenium pocket-clip. Applied by hand in special Super-LumiNova® enamel, it stores light energy while you write, to release its white glow in the dead of night.

New Capture Me Collection by Akillis

This singularly universal collection is available in a selection of masculine and feminine designs white gold, pink gold or Titanium and diamond bracelets and bands that can be paired together in way that marries the future and offers a true edgy celebration of romance. Consider it a striking foray into jewellery design, complete with perfect settings that showcase strengthen the purity of diamonds and the string design with their triangular motifs. The Capture Me collection provokes desire, instant and unwavering emotion for jewellery and love at first sight.

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