Market News

Swiss Watch Industry reports 21.7% increase

The Swiss Watch Industry has recently scored a significant increase in exports of 21.7%, higher at 7.1 billion Swiss Franc in the first five months of 2011 compared with the same period of 2010. This healthy growth was achieved across all the different price segments. In addition to this double digit growth the volumes were also increased by 20% to reach 26.1 million watches. The main concern to this continuous growth is the strength of the Swiss Franc.

JK Rowling wears Bulgari earrings at the World Premiere

Attending the Premiere for Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows - Part 2 at Trafalgar Square on July 7, 2011 in London, England, Actress JK Rowling wore a pair of HJ Earrings by Bulgari in yellow gold with 12 sapphires 26,95 cts, 8 peridots 26,20 cts, 12 garnets 4,13 cts, 10 round brilliant cut diamonds 1,64 ct (sap 5714).

Louis Moinet at Polo de Paris - Prestigious Invitees & Success

On Monday June 27th the Louis Moinet Polo team and that of BMW Polo team had displayed both brands commitment to this sporting encounter which took place at the Polo de Paris club, once again emphasises the interest generated by the unique character of Louis Moinet watches among fine watchmaking connoisseurs.

Lech Walesa signs copies of his latest book with a Montegrappa

Recently the Nobel Prize for Peace, Lech Walesa, took part in the Biblical Festival and presented his latest book "On the Wings of Freedom", signing the copies distributed to the crowd of fans with a Montegrappa roller ball in striped black celluloid.

Double Jewellery Heist in Dubai worth Dh11m and 16 kg of gold stolen

Jewels worth Dh11 million and gold weighing 16 kg were stolen in two separate incidents in Dubai, even as Dubai Police arrested a gang allegedly involved in the first robbery. The suspects, seven Asians who are all on visit visas, rented a shop next to a jewellery shop in International City and stole jewels after making a hole in the connecting wall, Khaleej Times reported, quoting a police officer. However, one of the suspects who was identified by the police through CCTV footage was arrested in another emirate within 24 hours of the robbery. The rest of the gang were also picked up a few hours later, but the alleged mastermind behind the heist is said to be in the jail of a GCC country. Police also launched an investigation into the second robbery which took place at a shop in Gold Souq Deira. The two daring acts of crime reminds one of Dubai’s biggest recent heist, when in April 2007 an international gang of robbers known as the ‘Pink Panthers’ brazenly drove two limousines into Wafi City, smashed the front window of a store and escaped with jewellery and watches worth approximately Dh54 million. The gang was identified by Dubai and was reported to be involved in other robberies in Europe. Interpol warrants were issued following the incident but no arrest has been reported so far.

Premier Presents Northwest Territories Diamonds to Their Royal Highnesses

NWT Premier Floyd K. Roland presented the Royal couple with northern-mined diamonds on behalf of the Territory and its people. For His Royal Highness, a set of diamond pave cufflinks modelled on the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)’s official polar bear logo.  The official gift to Her Royal Highness was a diamond pave brooch – also in the shape of the North’s iconic polar bear. Both of the Territory’s official gifts are made of diamonds mined at the Diavik Diamond Mine donated and designed by Harry Winston Inc.

Company News

Longines launches its Exclusive New Boutique in Downtown Beirut

Longines has recently opened its first boutique in Downtown Beirut. The new boutique, opened in partnership with their long-time Lebanese associates Est. Atamian, marks yet another successful step in Longines’ enduring quest to expand in the Middle East region. and innovations that will suit the selective style and expectations of its Lebanese clientele. The opening of the boutique was attended by Mr. Charles Villoz, Vice President of Longines and Patrick Aoun, the director of Longines in the Middle East. Representatives from the Atamian establishment were present as well.

Baume & Mercier appoints new Middle East Brand Manager

Romain Dezaux has been appointed as Baume & Mercier’s new Brand Manager for the Middle East, effective 1^st July 2011. Romain is responsible for the brand’s business across the entire region, including India and Turkey. A French national, Romain Dezaux has been with the Richemont Group for over six years, first joining Mont Blanc in France, as Sales Manager.

Harry Winston’s Only Watch 2011 Midnight GMT Tourbillon

Harry Winston is taking part in the Only Watch charity auction organized by the Monaco Association against Muscular Dystrophy (AMM), under the Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II. Harry Winston has developed and produced for this exceptional event an exclusive Grande Complication model: the Harry Winston’s Only Watch 2011 Midnight GMT Tourbillon.

Product Launch

Breguet’s CLASSIQUE GRANDE COMPLICATION, REVEIL MUSICAL ONLY WATCH 2011

Breguet has presented a unique creation specially made for Only Watch 11. A patented music box-type mechanism enables this one-of-a-kind white gold Reveil Musical watch to play an equally unique tune, “Castle in the sky”, either on demand or at a pre-set time. And finally, the entirely original dial bearing a child’s hand completes a full rotation to touch the adult hand appearing on the flange, thereby vividly symbolising inter-generational solidarity and support for research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Round in 18-carat white gold, caseband finely engraved with a musical stave. Diameter: 48mm. Rounded and soldered lugs, screw-secured spring-bars. Caseback personalised for Only Watch 2011 and engraved with the inscription “pièce unique”. Water-resistant to 3 bar (30m).

TAG Heuer LINK - The First Swiss Luxury Smart Phone

 The TAG Heuer LINK is a Swiss-engineered, French-built, and powered by the world’s most advanced operating system. The TAG Heuer LINK is also the first smart mobile equipped with upgradeable Google Android software with unparalleled access and connectivity. It’s stand out features include lightning-fast connectivity, 16-million color screen resolution, a large 3.5’’ display, a high-definition 5-mega-pixel auto-focus camera, 11 hours of music play time, and, through its avant-garde Android operating system, download access to over 250,000 applications. It also comes fully loaded with a host of TAG Heuer add-ons: customized screen designs, widgets, animations, wallpapers, icons and ring tones.

Gc UNVEILS ‘SMART LUXURY’ WITH NEW DIAMOND ADORNED TIMEPIECES

HYSEK presents its Furtif Skeleton Tourbillon

World renowned Swiss watch brand HYSEK unveils time in transparency with its new Furtif Skeleton Tourbillon watch! Distinguished by a futuristic design it is the very first skeleton tourbillon from the brand and is powered by the Calibre HW10 movement, manufactured entirely in the brand’s workshops. It has been issued in an exclusive limited series of just 30 pieces. The Furtif Skeleton Tourbillon is available in two versions; full rose gold, and in a bicolor version of titanium and rose gold.

Carl F. Bucherer launches another classic timepiece.

With the launch of Manero AutoDate, Carl F. Bucherer showcased recently another classic timepiece. This three-hand watch in “Vintage” style fits harmoniously into the understatedly elegant yet authentic Manero range from the Lucerne-based watch manufacture. In addition to the striking hands, the dial has gold-colored wedge-shaped index marks. The final aesthetic touch, in “retro” style is 18 K rose gold bracelet, or Louisiana alligator leather strap available in brown or black.

Perrelet – New Scuba diving Watch

Perrelet is making a noteworthy entrance into the fascinating world of scuba diving. Its new Seacraft with steel case is enlivened by finely contrasting polished and brushed surfaces. The case middle is fitted with a 4 mm thick sapphire crystal glare proofed on both sides as well as a stamped, screw-down back – a set of characteristics that guarantee the 777-metre water resistance of this measuring instrument. It is Available in a choice of white, black or blue. Fitted with an alligator leather strap or a brushed steel bracelet, each Seacraft model is also delivered with a high-tech nylon strap suitable for the most extreme sporting conditions. The Seacraft collection comes in three different versions: chronograph, 3 hands-date and GMT.

Exhibitions & Events

International exhibition of gold and jewelry – Saudi Arabia

The International exhibition of gold and jewelry will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from        27 - 29 Nov. 2011.

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