Market News

Dubai International Airport will become the world's largest airport next year

Dubai airport became the world’s busiest in Q1 2014 by overtaking London’s Heathrow Airport; Led by strong growth of local carriers Emirates and flydubai. But the passenger traffic will drop because airlines curtailed their flights due to Dubai Airport’s closure of two runways for the 80-day maintenance, which commenced on May 1, 2014. Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (Capa) said short-term effects will see Dubai Airport slip behind London’s Heathrow Airport for the full year in 2014, but the upgrades will ensure that the emirate has the infrastructure and capacity required not only to become the largest international airport by 2015, but also maintain that position. However, the Dubai Airport will regain its status of world’s busiest for the whole year next year – for good.

UAE is still the hub for luxury retail in the region

UAE still leads the way in luxury retail in the region, but other emerging markets are beginning to develop their own offerings, industry experts at the Arab Luxury World conference in Dubai. Dubai’s retail market is expected to have sustainable growth over the next three to five years, driven by a growing population, higher consumer spend and increasing visitor numbers, according to Alain Bejjani, head of business development at Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) Properties, a unit of MAF Holding. Tourists are driving Dubai’s luxury retail market, while UAE nationals are spending on luxury goods in international markets.

Pure Gold Jewellers to retail ‘UAE Bullion Gold Coins’ by DMCC

DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) has appointed Pure Gold Jewellers as an approved retail distributor for its ‘UAE Bullion Gold Coins’ series. Designed by DMCC, the coins celebrate UAE’s achievements as a major gold trading hub. It builds on Dubai’s reputation as the ‘City of Gold’ and is a testimony to UAE’s aspirations to continue to support the growth and sustainability of the local gold industry. UAE Bullion Gold Coins designs include a portrait of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, on one side; and the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower on the reverse side. Also available are coins that feature His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and a rendering of Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest man-made island.

Company News

Chopard sponsors the “classic racing” event

The ninth edition of the most prestigious event on the “classic racing” circuit took place on May 9th to 11th 2014. The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique brings together drivers and devotees of historical cars for a competition driven on racing cars. Chopard has been serving as sponsor and official timekeeper since 2002, a natural alliance for a brand of passionate enthusiasts. Chopard has created a limited-edition watch the Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2014 watches compose a complete line of timepieces with self-winding three-hand, chronograph versions, each imbued with the technical spirit of classic racing. Available in steel and titanium or steel combined with titanium and rose gold.

Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates new boutique in Rome

Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates the brand new boutique in Piazza di Spagna in the heart of Rome. Actress Cristiana Capotondi, the Italian ambassadress of Jaeger-LeCoultre, together with Jaeger-LeCoultre CEO Daniel Riedo, Claudio Angè, Director of Jaeger-LeCoultre Italy and Claudia Cianfrocca, Director of the new boutique, cut the ribbon, opening the doors of the Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique at no. 92, Piazza di Spagna.

A. Lange & Söhne honors the winner of Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2014

A. Lange & Söhne CEO Wilhelm Schmid paid tribute to one of the most venerable competitions for classic automobiles with an exceptional prize. At the award ceremony, he presented the winner of the “Best of Show” category with a Lange 1 Time Zone “Como Edition” for his Maserati 450 S. The prize was presented on the occasion of a gala dinner at the Villa d’Este, the venue of the Concorso d’Eleganza on Lake Como.

Montblanc Honors Jane Rosenthal at Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage

Montblanc honored acclaimed film producer Jane Rosenthal with the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award at a private ceremony at the Stephan Weiss Studio in New York City to celebrate her passion and commitment for arts and culture.

TAG Heuer celebrates with the UAE's 2013-2014 motor racing champions

TAG Heuer hosted a cocktail reception last month on 21st May 2014 to celebrate the end of the UAE's 2013-2014 motor racing season and to congratulate the 10 winners of the Karting and main course Sportbike championships. During the reception which took place at Jetty Lounge, One&Only Royal Mirage, TAG Heuer gifted each of the winners a TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph as a show of support for motorsport and its developing legacy in the UAE. The winners in attendance included Karting finals champion Atef Al Barwani who clinched the UAE SWS RX7 Championship and solidified a place in the SWS World Finals and Abdul-Aziz Bin Laden who claimed the UAE Sportbike Championship title.

Damiani opens its second boutique in Singapore

Damiani announced the opening of its second flagship store in Singapore. The shop is located in Marina Bay Sand, in the city shopping center. The actress Eva Longoria was main guest at the inauguration event for the new boutique, also attended by local personalities and VIPs alongside many journalists.

Ritmo Mundo congratulates INDYCAR driver Ryan Hunter

Ritmo Mundo sponsored IndyCar driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay of Andretti Motor Sports, won his first INDY 500 race this past Memorial Day Weekend in Indaianpolis. Hunter-Reay proclaimed to the world in the Victory Lane post-race interview wearing his Ritmo QUANTUM collection watch. The entire RITMO team congratulates Ryan on his victory and the continued race towards this years INDYCAR 2014 championship.

Product Launch

Jaquet Droz reveals the Grande Seconde Tourbillon Aventurine

Jaquet Droz presents The Grande Seconde Tourbillon Aventurine a jewelry watch; its bezel, lugs and the contours of the famous figure are set with cut diamonds.  The aventurine, with its scattering of tiny gleaming shards, is made yet more splendid by the fire in the precious stones, conjuring up a veritable night sky in miniature, echoed by the blued steel hands. A delicate touch of mother-of-pearl is introduced as the ultimate refinement and plays with the effects of light and the reflections of the exquisite gems.  On its back, a custom-made piece of aventurine set into the gold oscillating weight and affixed with the two gold stars that form the signature of Jaquet Droz.

BVLGARI presents Bi-Retro Octo Watch

BVLGARI celebrates the World Cup with its Bi-Retro Octo Watch. The colourful, technical and daring new Bulgari Octo Bi-Retro Brazil watch appears in a 50-piece limited edition clad in blue, yellow and green. The dial of the Octo Bi-Retro Brazil is meticulously hand-crafted in three different colours. Green, the traditional colour of the House of Braganza. Yellow evokes gold, the emblematic colour of the Habsburg dynasty. Blue is a tribute to the stunning sky over Rio de Janeiro. The steel with ceramic and rhodium inserts, and fitted with a rubber strap secured by a steel folding clasp. The dial is laid out like an ingenious instrument panel: sweeping across a broad 210° sector.

Edox unveils New Titanium Chronorally

The new Edox Titanium Chronorally has impressive design and fully reliable quartz chronograph movement. The dial is in black, Strap is structured in black rubber, 316L stainless steel buckle, engraved Edox logo.

Laurent Ferrier presents Galet Micro-Rotor model

A Galet Micro-Rotor movement has remained unchanged and loyal to the stringent demands of Laurent Ferrier. For the dial, Laurent Ferrier has chosen mother-of-pearl, which radiates a unique velvety feel due to its natural character. It is enriched with a stylised décor featuring voluptuous arabesque motif, delicately interwoven foliage.
A Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial glowing with shimmering coppery glints makes a perfect match with the red gold. The “ball-shaped” winding crown is topped with a cabochon-cut brown sapphire echoing the dial. The light blue version of the mother-of-pearl dial is framed by a white gold case with a winding-crown featuring a cabochon-cut blue sapphire.

RJ-Romain Jerome launches new colourful timepieces for the Steampunk collection

RJ-Romain Jerome presents new colourful timepieces for the automatic edition of the Steampunk collection. Housed in a black PVD-coated steel 50 mm case, the movement has been striped down to provide an unobstructed view of the sturdy, circular graining and rigorously bead blasted blackened bridges. The Roman XII and VI numerals, the logo and the hexagonal crown have been coloured in yellow, white, red, blue, green and orange depending on the model. Each piece showcases a mysterious sense of depth by creating a contrast between the blackened face of the watch and the colourful elements. The colour of the watch is made even more striking thanks to a black alligator leather strap, adorned with matching coloured stitching.

Mido reveals the All Dial Gent Limited Edition 1918

Mido presents the All Dial Gent Limited Edition 1918; this watch draws inspiration from the visionary architecture of the Coliseum in Rome, which is engraved on the case back of this unique model. The shape of the case and the different levels of the dial pay further tribute to this great symbol of Rome, the Eternal City; a silver sunray satinated dial reveals pure lines. Subtle golden-rose touches bring out the individually applied indexes. This model features a polished satin-finish stainless steel bracelet.

Montegrappa unveils Fortuna Timepieces

Montegrappa presents the Fortuna Watch Collection; Three-Hand model, which shows hours, minutes, seconds and date, and the Chrono, which adds full chronograph functionality with the addition of 30-minute and 12-hour counters. All Fortuna models feature stainless steel cases and are available in polished stainless steel, rose gold PVD and gunmetal finishes. The watches are offered with a choice of bracelet or leather strap for the stainless steel models, while the rose gold PVD and gunmetal versions are fitted with colour-coordinated leather straps.

Saint Honore reveals the ARTCODE watch

SAINT HONORE unveils its magnificent new men’s watch, the ARTCODE. The combination of a classic spirit and a sporty allure, this piece is designed for the stylish, casual, modern man. The ARTCODE presents a pure white dial that delivers all indications with perfect readability. Brushed on the top and polished around the side, the bezel is mounted on a case bearing curved lugs and a slightly cambered middle, on which is positioned the crown with its specially truncated tapered shape and pronounced grooves; polished steel and brushed steel is in a pink PVD finish and its case topped with a bezel featuring six visible screws.

Celebrity News

Celebrities dazzle with Avakian at the Cannes film festival 2014

Ana Beatriz Barros wears a pair of colorful Avakian earrings. Irina Shayk wears diamond and ruby ring from the latest Cache collection. Michelle Rodrigues wears Avakian bracelet and Victoria Silvstedt wears diamond cuff bracelet and Emerald earrings by Avakian at the red carpet at Cannes film festival 2014.

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