Interviews

Abbas Behbehani: Watch Collector Extraordinaire by Roberta Naas

Amassing 1,000 platinum and white gold watches of distinction is not an easy task.

By Roberta Naas

There are watch aficionados, watch lovers and watch collectors. Where the line is drawn between one and another is not always clear. Distinctions are blurred. Generally, however, when one speaks to the experts at the auction houses, the top brands and amongst the elite corps of watch buffs – a single common thread weaves that defines a collector:  a passionate buyer who simply can’t – and won’t – stop.

Such is the case with Abbas Y. Behbehani, affectionately known -- with known being the operative word -- by his friends and colleagues as Abbas.  This man is perhaps one of the foremost collectors of watches – with a penchant for luxury timepieces that has landed him a series of the world’s finest watches from the best brands on the globe.

“I haven’t actually counted them,” Abbas says. “I just know around how many I have – and I wear them.”

Indeed, he does wear his watches – unlike many collectors who hide them away in safes. On the day I spent interviewing him, he was sporting a Patek Philippe skeleton watch, one that he says he had accidentally dropped and broken, and had to have totally refurbished. . 

“It’s ok, those things are going to happen if you wear your watches and I love these watches, I want to enjoy wearing them, “ Abbas says warmly.

As Abbas and I walked the Doha Watch and Jewelry Fair together, wherever we went, the watch brand executives hailed him by name, asking him which watch he was wearing

His vast collection includes multiples of many brands, with outstanding pieces from some, such as the Ulysse Nardin Astrolabium #12, Harry Winston Opus 9 (specially made), the Vacheron Kalla on strap, Girard-Perregaux with Three Gold Bridges (one of the first tourbillons he ever purchased), and several Patek Philippes, including the new Skelton watch, two cloisonné made enamel clocks one custom made with falcons. ((and the set of four falcon watches indigenous to his region)) proposed but not yet finalised (was supposed to get the world time in enamel in March but it has been delayed), and Parmigiani Bugatti, a Rolex Ice, Dewitt, Breguet and on and on. In fact, if you name it, he most likely has it – ALMOST.  He says he wants a Hautlence HL2 that he doesn’t yet own, as well as a few others.

To Abbas, buying timepieces is about buying what he likes. In his early buying years, he just selected things he loved, but now he has the abilities and monetary capacity to special order many pieces. In fact, on the day I was with him, he was waiting for the Harry Winston Opus 9 to be delivered to him – he had it made with blue sapphires (blue is his favorite color).

“I like things that are different from what everyone else has,” says Abbas, who only wears platinum or white gold for religious reasons.  “It is also important to be able to see the watch and read it easily, since I wear it. A lot of people buy because the watch may be worth more in the years to come, but I need to like the watch.”

Abbas, a truly affable gentleman with a warm smile, hearty laugh and good nature, is also a man of his word and a humble man. “I am honest up front when I start searching for a watch. I know what I am looking for; I am willing to listen and I want honesty from the brands and the people I deal with, especially when it comes to waiting times.”

In fact, even though Abbas has been buying  watch after watch for more than 30 years, and everyone knows him, he still has to wait for many of his watches like every one else.

“I waited a year for the Opus 9 to be specially made, and I have waited 2 to 3 years for some of the watches I’ve bough. But if I wait too long, I do tend to lose interest.”  It’s a humbling situation. Still, even for Abbas there are a few that got away: an Audemars Piguet Perpetual and a Patek Philippe Jumping Hour to name a couple. 

Collecting at an early age

Abbas admits that his love of timepieces started when he was a child and visited his father’s business. His father sold a brand of watches called West End  which at one time was the biggest selling which in the world even though it was mostly sold in the Middle East and his four uncles sold almost every other brand in addition to their other  importing businesses , as well.  Abbas has five brothers only one of them is in the watch and luxury goods business in some way or another.

“But I am the only one who started collection watches. I wanted to start when I was little and I saw things I liked. The first watch I liked retailed for $20 and my father said I should wait for something else. I actually started collecting at age 15 when I bought a Bulova Accutron that I saw and liked. I didn’t thing about if it would have value later. Even now I look at the looks of the watch first. It has to appeal to me or I won’t buy it.”

“I remember seeing a Perpetuelle AP and that was actually the first nice watch I bought in the early 1970s. Then I was hooked.  My father thought I was crazy spending this kind of money on a watch compared to what one would pay for a West End Watch.”

In 1985, Abbas started visiting the Basel Fair – a changing point for him. He had already been reading everything he could get his hands on about watches, and, of course, he was in the business, so he was well prepared for the show.

“I saw so many watches I wanted that year and I was more prepared to buy. I saw an Omega Skelton with the movement in the outer chapter ring, Genta was there with special pieces. It was like a dream for me.”

Currently, Abbas is in the process of having a special room built for him in his home that will house his entire watch collection. Custom created by Buben & Zorweg, , the room features  two entire walls of watches via watch winders, drawers and display cases build of leather and wood, and housing approximately 1,000 pieces. It is unique and specially designed for Abbas. The approximately 14x6 meter room is meticulously appointed with an amphitheater, library for watch books, space for his incredible clocks and more.

“I know it doesn’t sound like it,” says Abbas insistently, “But I am not a fanatic. I don’t take it [watch collecting] over seriously. I do it just for the love and fun of it because I love watches.”

Abbas also has a car collection of about 13 to 14 automobiles, including a limited edition Ferrari, several Bentleys (with a Bentley by Breitling watch, of course). He orders his cars with his specific needs in mind and with every possible option. He also likes writing instruments and select items in the technological realm.

He promises to share with me a walk through his new room as soon as it is complete; and we hope to share it with you, our avid readers.

Market News

F1 Grand Prix a successful return to the Kingdom of Bahrain

New decision has been made on a new date for the rescheduling of the 2011 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix. F1's ruling body the FIA has announced that the gulf kingdom, which was supposed to stage the event in March at the start of the season, will hold it at the end of October. The FIA's decision came after its top officials visited the island on Tuesday, 31^st of May.

Diamonds and Gold top UAE's trade

According to the new trade statistics, more than a third of the country's imports by value in February consisted of diamonds, gold and finished jewellery. The brisk trade in luxury goods comes as commodity prices rise across the board and gold trades at above US$1,500 an ounce. Diamonds were the UAE's top import by value in the month, according to Federal Customs Authority data, with Dh7.5 billion ($2.04bn) of the stones brought in. Gold followed at Dh6.9bn of imports and finished jewellery came in at Dh1.9bn.

Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group holds its 14th Annual General Meeting

On 28^th May 2011, Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (DGJG) held its 14^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Almas Tower in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai.  The AGM was hosted by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCC) and sponsored by Emirates NBD. During the event, the Group’s annual financial statement was presented and approved. This was followed by the presentation of a detailed report on the last year’s activities.  An announcement was also made regarding the appointment of auditors, NR Doshi & Co., which was presented and approved by the members of DGJG.

Extraordinary charity sales result for the F.P.Journe Centigraphe Sport no. 001 in aid for Japan

F.P. Journe in collaboration with Christie’s has announced the extraordinary sales result for the Centigraphe Sport Number 001, the first in a new series of all-aluminium wristwatch, including case, movement and bracelet.  Watch Number 001 of the Centigraphe Sport was sold at the watch sale of Christie’s Hong Kong Spring auction on May 30th, 2011, to raise funds for the FERE foundation and Medecins du Monde in Japan to help victims of the tsunami and earthquake. The final price soared to an extraordinary HK$ 3,620,000 /US$ 465,170, close to nine times its original estimate.

Company News

Hublot bring a sparkle to the F1 Grand Prix™ of Monaco

On 26 May 2011, in the paddock of the most glamorous Grand Prix of the F1™ season, Mr. Bernie Ecclestone, President of Formula One Management joins Mrs. Tina Zegg from ZEGG & CERLATI for the presentation of one of the most expensive jewellery timepieces ever created, the spectacular 2 Million Euro’s BB. More than 140 carats, 637 baguette diamonds, a tourbillon movement to appeal to more expert eyes, the 2 Million Euro’s BB is a unique piece, a one-off, an even more audacious master stroke. Its creation required 45 gemcutters and 2,000 hours of work by master-gemsetters.

Van Cleef & Arpels inaugurates its boutique Le Temps Poetique, Place Vendome, Paris

The Boutique Le Temps Poetique is a new setting dedicated to the Maison’s timepiece collections, which are talented illustrations of the Van Cleef & Arpels savoir-faire and original creative approach. The style of the Boutique Le Temps Poetique, though contemporary, is a nod to the first boutique opened by Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels in 1906. The interior design is the work of designer Patrick Jouin, in the same spirit as the Haute Joaillerie areas that he also created in the flagship boutique at 22, place Vendome. Furthermore, French actors Fois, Stephane Freiss, Vahina Giocante, Judith Godreche, Hasfia Herzi and Melanie Thierry joined the inauguration.

Saif Ali Khan wears Jaeger-LeCoultre at the Cannes Film Festival

Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan walked on the red carpet wearing sports Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Geographic watch at the Cannes Film Festival. A tribute to watchmaking tradition, this emblematic watch is characterized by a unique dial on which the indication of multiple time zones depicts the entire world on the wrist. It also takes summer time into account. All the dial displays - power reserve, date, 2nd time zone - are harmoniously arranged on the dial and can be read at a glance.

Vacheron Constantin - Metiers d’Art “La Symbolique des Laques”

Echoing the Metiers d’Art “Les Masques” series born of the encounter between Vacheron Constantin and Geneva’s Barbier-Mueller Museum, the Metiers d’Art “La Symbolique des Laques” opus is another illustration of the alchemy between the cultural, artistic and Fine Watchmaking crafts. The vision of a timepiece as a cultural bridge between countries is one that, in the eighteenth century, was already impelling Francois Constantin to travel around the world and extend the Manufacture’s expertise to other continents.

Cuervo y Sobrinos at the Mille Miglia 2011

This year Cuervo y Sobrinos took part once again in the event most eagerly awaited to by classic car lovers, the 84th edition of the historic Mille Miglia race: “The greatest race in the world”. Marzio Villa, President of Cuervo y Sobrinos, came in 91st with his 1955 ACE, an automobile with a glorious past, a symbol of great elegance, sportiness and style. This year, too, Cuervo y Sobrinos, was a star in Piazza della Loggia, hosting all the contestants at its own stand where, in a typically Caribbean atmosphere, it offered mojitos prepared by the expert hands of a Cuban bartender.

Richard Mille Polo Team

Richard Mille enters the Polo world with the Richard Mille Polo Team composed of Prince Bahar from Brunei, Argentinians Pablo Mac Donough, ranked number One in the World Polo Tour in 2010 and Alejandro Muzzio as well as the UK-born Max Routeldge. The team made its debut at Cowdray Park Polo Club and is now preparing for an intense season ahead which will see the players taking part in some of the most prestigious International high-goal tournaments. As with Felipe Massa, Rafael Nadal and Bubba Watson, each player from the Richard Mille Polo Team will wear an RM timepiece whilst competing on the field.

Millemiglia - Victory of Classic Team Eberhard crew

The MilleMiglia 2011 Race has ended with the exceptional achievement of the crew Giordano Mozzi and Stefania Biacca, part of the Classic Team Eberhard, who ranked first at the wheel of a 1933 Aston Martin Le Mans 1495 CC. The results were more than satisfactory also for the four other teams making up the Classic Team Eberhard racing team, who out of the 291 cars that completed the race, ranked in the following positions: 20^th Lui-Grossi, 35^th Corneliani-Murru, 67^th Ronzoni-Pastore and 70^th Gandino-Gandino.

Product Launch

OMEGA unveils its upgraded Seamaster Planet Ocean collection

On the Italian island of Capri, OMEGA unveiled its upgraded Seamaster Planet Ocean collection. Like every Planet Ocean, the new watches are ready for underwater adventure and are equipped with unidirectional rotating bezels, helium escape valves and water resistance to 60 bar / 600 metres / 2000 feet. The combination of the in-house Co-Axial movements and the silicon balance springs that equip each watch in the new Seamaster Planet Ocean collection means that the watches are so stable and reliable that OMEGA offers them with a full four-year warranty.

Rock the Rock DNA, a watch carved out of rock

On the occasion of Only Watch 2011, Romain Jerome has chosen to combine its DNA with that of the Principality of Monaco. Philippe Mondielli, geologist and scientific director of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, accompanied by Luc Pettavino, President of the Monaco Association against Muscular Dystrophy, chose the western cliff of the Rock of Monaco from which to extract an extremely small portion of the limestone rock. This fragment, considered as a testimony to the evolution of species over millions of years, now serves as the dial for the Rock the Rock DNA watch - forming a time-honored face now framed by an ultra-contemporary matt black ceramic bezel.

Ulysse Nardin introduces Lady Dive watch

Ulysse Nardin celebrates serene days on the sea, garden gatherings with family and friends and long, leisurely strolls with the fresh hues of the new Lady Diver Color collection. Bright yellow, bold berry, soothing lavender and baby blue add another layer of femininity – and a pop of fun – to this summery spin on Ulysse Nardin favorite. With a self-winding movement the rotor is visible through the exhibition case back. Available in stainless steel or 18 ct rose gold with various dial combinations, with or without diamonds, these hand-crafted timepieces are produced to last!

TAG Heuer Gulf MERIDIIST Limited Edition Communication Instrument

For over 150 years, TAG Heuer responds to the demands of motor racing performance, mastering speed at fractions of a second on the frontlines of the world’s most challenging events. The Gulf MERIDIIST Communication Instrument is the latest launch in Gulf-inspired vintage style, following the 2009 re-edition of the Monaco Gulf Calibre 12 Chronograph, which revisited the Monaco’s distinctive square face design, the Gulf logo, and trademark colour scheme with a high-performance automatic movement. TAG Heuer’s Gulf MERIDIIST features vintage orange and blue styling, recalling the ultimate icon of speed, Steve McQueen, and his Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Chronograph.

GUCCI launches its new advertising campaign

As Gucci approaches its 90th anniversary year, the brand announces the launch of its new “Forever Now” worldwide advertising campaign. The new campaign, conceived by Creative Director Frida Giannini - celebrates the traditions that were first established by Guccio Gucci when he founded the House in 1921.  The campaign features original black and white photographs of Gucci artisans at work in Via delle Caldaie, Florence, taken by Foto Locchi in 1953.

Alpina aviation event to celebrate the Startimer Pilot Collection

On 26^th of May, Alpina has organized an exciting event in collaboration with Cessna Aircraft and PrivatAir to celebrate the first deliveries of the new Alpina Startimer Pilot Collection. A group of 32 journalists and VIP Customers were flown around the Alps in chartered Cessna Private Jets, including the Cessna Citation Mustang. The iconic Manufacture Startimer Pilot Regulator features a well-balanced and powerfully designed automatic chronograph version (cal. AL-860). This chronograph is based on a SW500 base caliber that is being modified to a Bi-Compax on CNC machines at the Alpina Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneve.

Baume & Mercier unveils its new advertising campaign

2011 marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Baume & Mercier, which was founded in 1830. The campaign’s concept: to embody the brand's new vision, seaside living in the Hamptons, and create a graphic expression of the Maison d’Horlogerie’s motto: Life is about moments. The photo shoot took place in Long Island's East Hampton, with real families, on a backdrop of laughter and the joyous shouts of children. The campaign is comprised of six images, each showing a moment of real life captured unexpectedly, and each filled with the emotion that only real connections can create.

Louis Moinet presents its successful watch GEOGRAPH

GEOGRAPH watch is already proving a great success. Large numbers of the four 60-piece Limited Editions were almost instantly sold at Baselworld, and GEOGRAPH is impatiently awaited on the markets. Through its rich heritage, Louis Moinet expresses a unique brand identity: the time is indicated by “Gouttes de Rosee” ® (dewdrop) hands in blued steel, on a dial adorned with “Cotes du Jura”®. To ensure a novel and distinctive chronograph read-off, its two counters are set with genuine watch jewels made using the Verneuil process, polished on both sides and featuring a special split-level construction.

Montegrappa - Happy Republic Day!

Marking the 150^th anniversary of Italy’s unification and the coronation of its first king, Victor Emmanuel II is a Montegrappa pen in the colours of the definitive symbol of the united Italy, the Bandiera d'Italia, affectionately known as "tricolore italiano," or "Italian tricolour." These colors adorn the commemorative pens based on Montegrappa’s iconic Extra 1930, fashioned in resin and running the length of cap and barrel. The 150^th Anniversary Italian Flag pen will be issued in a limited edition of 1500 fountain pens and 1500 roller balls, with silver trim. Complementing the silver edition will be a further 150 fountain pens and 150 roller balls, finished with 18K solid gold trim.

Consul Heritage 7315.03.AG.11.16

Consul has presented the new Heritage model 7315.03.AG.11.16. This new timepiece features high resistant polished stainless steel case, 42 mm case diameter, Swiss made automatic movement, 43 hours power reserve, water resistant to 30 M- 3 ATM (100 feet), curved sapphire crystal, display by means of hands, hours, minutes and seconds, stainless steel bracelet with double butterfly buckle and 2 safety pushers or assorted leather band with double butterfly buckle. The watch is available in limited edition of 888 pieces.

Exhibitions & Events

Istanbul Jewelry Show October 2011

The preparations for Istanbul Jewelry Show, an international exhibition for jewellery, silver, watches and related equipment are already underway.  This year’s show will be held from October 13 to 16, 2011 at the Istanbul Fair Center (CNR Expo). Istanbul Jewelry Show October is especially focusing on, specialized product groups which are targeting directly Eastern Europe, Middle East, Russian, UAE and CIS countries’ buyers and is offering an unique network and business opportunities to all targeting countries. Approximately 600 exhibitors and more than 18000 visitors from target countries are expected in the show for this year.

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