Citizen Watch Co. acquired Swiss watchmaker Frederique Constant; Dubai to achieve the status of world’s top retail destination by next year; SIHH 2017 announces the arrival of new exhibitors

Market News

SIHH 2017 announces the arrival of new exhibitors

The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie is continuing its transformation with the arrival of Girard-Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin, as well as five artisan-creators and independent workshops, who will join the “Carré des Horlogers”. The SIHH, which will take place from 16 to 20 January 2017 at Palexpo.

Company News

Dubai to achieve the status of world’s top retail destination by next year

Dubai, which retained its position as the second most important international shopping destination globally for the fifth consecutive year in 2016, is growing at a fast pace and can achieve the status of world’s top retail destination next year as the gap between Dubai and the first-ranked London is narrowing fast.

According to global property advisor firm CBRE’s statement, Dubai has presence of 57 per cent of international retailers, second to London at 57.9 per cent.

Chopard as Official Timekeeper and World Sponsor of the Mille Miglia

Chopard as World Sponsor and Official Timekeeper - to be a long standing and loyal partner of this legendary race, „la corsa pìu bella del mondo” - the world’s most beautiful race. For this year’s race edition, a new Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition watch was issued in two limited editions in stainless steel and in rose gold.

Greubel Forsey/Phillipe Dufour ‘Montre École’ sells for over 1’450’000 USD

The Montre Ecole, the first watch to be created as part of the Naissance d’une Montre Project, sold for 1,461,507 USD (low-end estimate of 450,000 USD) at the Christie’s auction in Hong Kong. This marks a new milestone for the Naissance d’une Montre - Le Garde Temps project and represents a validation of the combined efforts of Robert Greubel, Stephen Forsey and Philippe Dufour to safeguard and transmit traditional watchmaking knowledge and skills. This watch has recently received a never before seen 100/100 points by the independent critic’s guide The Watch Enthusiast.

Frederique Constant Official Timekeeper of the world’s greatest motoring challenge Peking to Paris

Frederique Constant strengthens its ties to motor sports by identifying itself with the legendary Peking to Paris Motor Challenge and becoming once again its official timekeeper. The 2016 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge will start from the Great Wall outside Beijing in China on June 12th, and will finish with a race into Paris to cross the finish line on Place Vendome on July 17th. For the 2016 edition of the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, Frederique Constant has created a limited-edition watch. Both driver and navigator of the winning team will be awarded this exclusive Frederique Constant timepiece.

AKILLIS appoints Z7 Communications as Middle East PR Agency

Z7 Communications announces its appointment as the PR agency for AKILLIS in the Middle East. AKILLIS has rejuvenated the traditional world of fine jewellery by injecting an aura of youth and a modern eye for design.

Baume & Mercier will be the main partner of the “Taormina Film Fest”

Baume & Mercier celebrates cinema by becoming the main partner of the 62nd “Taormina Film Fest”, which will take place from 11 to 18 June in the magical setting of the Greek Theatre in Taormina, Italy during the presence of Richard Gere as the Honorary president.

Jaeger-LeCoultre marks the 85th anniversary of its iconic Reverso watch

Jaeger-LeCoultre marks the 85th anniversary of its iconic Reverso watch with a special celebration at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club. The Art Deco theme was chosen as a fitting tribute to the design elements and era when the Reverso was first created in 1931. The guests discovered the Reverso Heritage exhibition, which included pieces from 1931 as well as the latest Reverso Tribute and Reverso One collection, which were launched during a similar event at SIHH earlier this year.

TAG Heuer announces its new Brand Ambassador

Claudio Ranieri joins the TAG HEUER family, as a Manager of Leicester City. Mr Ranieri has managed to transform the club, which last year narrowly avoided relegation, into Premier League Champions. TAG Heuer is now also the partner of the prestigious English Championship.

Product Launch

Citizen Watch Co. acquired Swiss watchmaker Frederique Constant

Swiss watchmaker Frederique Constant has been acquired by Japan’s Citizen Watch Co. for an undisclosed sum.

The Japanese acquisition was announced on May 26th under Citizen’s mid-term business plan titled “Citizen Global Plan 2018.”

This acquisition of the Japanese watch maker is part of Citizen’s multi-brand strategy to complete its portfolio through the acquisition of Swiss watch manufacturers.

Arnold & Son unveils its new TES Blue Tourbillon

Arnold & Son presents the TES Blue Tourbillon, with the hand-finished A&S8100 calibre with sapphire barrel bridge and blue main plate. Nickel-silver and sapphire movement, palladium treated bridges and blue CVD treated main plate with superlative Haute Horlogerie finishing: hand-chamfered bridges with polished edges, Blue open dial, Case is in white gold, cambered sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both sides, The strap is hand-stitched blue or black alligator leather

BVLGARI presents BVLGARI BVLGARI ROMAN SORBETS

BVLGARI’s iconic collection is served the most tempting of new creations for 2016: BVLGARI BVLGARI ROMAN SORBETS. Scrumptious gemstone combinations sparkle atop golden pendants, rings and bracelets, sprinkled with brilliant colour. In Pink Tourmaline and Amethyst, or Sapphire and Tsavorite, the cheerful creations juxtapose vivacious colours. Intended for a yearlong summer, each ROMAN SORBET jewel is set into the pink or white gold band iconic to the BVLGARI BVLGARI line.

Alpina revels the Seastrong Diver 300 Chronograph Big Date

Alpina’s the Seastrong Diver 300 Chronograph Big Date Collection turns in just one direction: anti-clockwise. In addition, the 60 minutes markers on the black bezel are luminous, as are the dial indexes, which perfectly contrast against the matt black dial. Built-in features that are relevant to the professional diver include a 44 mm black PVD coated, cushion shaped, stainless steel case, screw-in crown and case-back, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a black water-resistant rubber strap.

Concord presents Impresario Lady in black dials

The new Concord Impresario is complemented by stainless steel crowns. The dainty 32 mm size is just right for the wrist of a lady and the watches stand apart with their unique coin-edged finish. The two new models come with a black mother of pearl dial and are offered in stainless steel and stainless steel laced with rose gold casings. The roundness of the cases is pleasingly offset by gently undulating stainless steel bracelets. The lustrous black mother of pearl dial sets off the slim line Arabic numerals and indexes plated in Rhodium or Rose Gold.

Montegrappa introduces The Pirates Pen

Pirates Pen presented as a piston-fed fountain pen or rollerball, the Pirates writing instruments of Montegrappa are made in Charcoal Black celluloid and a die-cast Sterling Silver or solid Gold barrel and cap. The Pirates precious metal body bears the legendary “Jolly Roger” sign with grinning skulls and bones, cap top culminates into a corsair’s hat, and a sword serves as the pen’s signature clip.

Chronoswiss launches Regulator Rallye Limited Edition

Chronoswiss as the new main sponsor and chronograph partner to the Kitzbühel Alpine Rally marks its 29th Kitzbühel Alpine Rally. The Regulator Rallye model features a sporty dial design and powerful use of form. In addition to the matt black galvanised dial with its signal red accents on the digits and the limited edition number, this contrast will also be evident in the strap: made from black calfskin with braiding impression, it mirrors the characteristic perforation of classic rally gloves and also features bright red contrasting seams and inner lining.

Pure Gold Jewellers launches Islamic Art inspired pendant for Ramadan and Eid

Pure Gold Jewellers introduces its special edition handcrafted gold pendant with the word ''Allah'' carved in Arabic calligraphy. The limited edition pendant comes with gold chain and is available at all Pure Gold Jewellers stores during Ramadan till Eid.

Hermès presents Faubourg Manchette Joaillerie

Faubourg Manchette Joaillerie assembles the cuff strap, making three double stitches at each end of the seam, a guarantee of a robust finish. The strap contour is dyed and then heat-smoothed with a soldering iron, in an operation known as burnishing. Having become a second skin, the leather flows around the wrist like an extension of the case that has been fashioned in gold by Hermès. The gemsetter fits them into their settings hollowed out in the bezel.

Celebrity News

Celebrity’s dazzles in Cartier at the Festival de Cannes in France

Georges Clooney wore Cartier Etourdissant High Jewelry collection – Earrings and Bracelet in platinum and white gold with coral beads, pearls and diamonds. Jodie Foster wore Cartier diamonds earrings and three diamonds bracelets.

Mischa Barton sparkles in Avakian during the 69th Cannes Film Festival

Mischa Barton shines in Avakian at the Art of Elysium gala during the 69th Cannes Film Festival. Mischa Barton wore a striking Diamond bracelet from the Links Collection and a stunning Diamond and Sapphire necklace from the Riviera Collection.

de GRISOGONO shines at 69 th edition of the Cannes Film Festival

Fawaz Gruosi founder and creative director of de GRISOGONO wore his wrist elegantly classy with a new de GRISOGONO watch called NEW RETRO. Bella Hadid wore de GRISOGONO High Jewelry necklace to a refined FLORINDA bracelet.

Celebrities wearing Messika at the 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival

Eva Longoria wore the beautiful Messika Paris Austral Necklace from the 2016 Haute Jewelry line. Caroline Receveur wore the High Jewelry Swan necklace diamond. She also wore the now famed Angel hand bracelet. Ola Alfares wore two exquisite pieces from the Messika High Jewelry collection, the now iconic Madison Cuff and the Calypso Earrings.

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