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This year, our ‘star’ novelties include new complications introduced to two of Montblanc’s highly successful collections.  One is the Montblanc Timewalker Exotourbillon Minute Chronograph Limited Edition 100 – that marks the introduction to this modern, urban collection of the Maison; the exclusive in-house patented ExoTourbillon.  The combination of this high performance regulating organ with monopusher, daring and imposing aesthetics and mix of lightweight, yet highly resistant material reinforces the spirit of performance of the TimeWalker from case to movement.

Expectations are for an exciting, busy and dynamic show for Montblanc.  There is no doubt that the Maison remains in the spotlight in terms of the innovations and new models it showcases every year, and 2016 will be no exception. 

The luxury watch segment continues to evolve every year, not only in innovations and new levels of craftsmanship, but also in the growth of the watch collector audience. Access to knowledge and informed evaluation from collectors, as well as growing demand worldwide, helps drive the competitive edge for reputable watch manufacturers.  

Montblanc remains at the forefront, thanks to its uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship, passion for fine watchmaking, and the exceptional watchmaking legacy of its Manufactures.  The Maison is developing timepieces that are triggering appeal beyond the traditional watch collector, and with a catalogue now of 24 manufacture movements, enjoys a broad diversified portfolio.  Because the vision for Montblanc is to ensure our pieces are fine lifetime companions, you will see that we are increasingly creating products for travellers – with global travel now as common as it is, relevance for our customers is key. So is technical performance, and with Montblanc showcasing some exciting and key engineering achievements in our latest pieces, 2016 will prove to be a dynamic year.  

The novelties will be in our point of sales starting from April 2016 and through the year.

Montblanc is well established in the Middle East and has been for decades.  The loyalty that Montblanc enjoys in this region also extends across generations – not only are pieces handed down in families, new generations become passionate the Maison at an early age.  

2016 marks a landmark year for Montblanc in the Middle East, with the 20th anniversary of the first Montblanc boutique to open in the region – in Deira, Dubai in 1996.  We are fortunate that Montblanc has established itself as leader in the luxury accessory segment, in which a discerning, appreciative and loyal customer base is further supported by a thriving tourism industry.

The Montblanc network continues to grow with a combination of independent and partner-led boutiques.  We currently have over 50 boutiques across the Middle East, India and Africa region with more scheduled to open during 2016. 

We are fortunate to have a passionate and loyal group of collectors in the region who appreciate Montblanc’s heritage and passion for artisan pieces, across both our writing instrument and watch segments.  Montblanc’s relationship with collectors is a collaborative one – and as a Maison we benefit greatly from their passion, input and loyalty.  It really is a family. 

Montblanc’s priority remains across all categories – to develop products that are fine lifetime companions.  This means ensuring they are exceptionally well crafted, include technological performance in some manner, and are relevant for today’s customers around the world.  

Both globally and regionally, expansion will also remain a key focus in 2016, with a number of new boutiques scheduled to open. 

I am positive by nature!

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Audemars Piguet unveils Diamond Fury, an Haute Joaillerie masterpiece bristling with attitude and a rebellious spirit. Diamond Fury’s mysterious character is revealed via a secret panel which, when touched, subtly unclips to reveal the dial beneath. Crafted with unique skill, this masterpiece is a dynamic coming together of the designers, engineers and jewellers of Le Brassus. It took passion, perfection, over 1,500 hours and 4,635 brilliant-cut diamonds for the full diamond version featured here to emerge as a fusion of the singular character, unconventional thinking and cutting-edge technology that define Audemars Piguet today.

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To mark its 20th anniversary, Parmigiani Fleurier is unveiling the Chronor, its new integrated chronograph movement, a feat of watchmaking that very few of today's manufactures are capable of achieving. Perfectly integrated into the Tonda Chronor Anniversaire's PF361 movement, this complication enhances the chronograph with its potential to measure split times. Its principle rests on an additional hand known as the "split second hand" which sits on top of the central chronograph seconds hand, or "trotteuse", and is permanently linked to it (when started, stopped and reset). The Tonda Chronor Anniversaire with gold movement is available with either a white gold or rose gold case, each of which will be produced in a limited run of 25 pieces to mark this anniversary.

The dials feature "grand feu" enamel in two shades to match the choice of case. The first is white, one of Parmigiani Fleurier’s specialities, with the flawless, luminous texture that only enamel can bestow. The second is a deep blue which changes with the angle, turning a dark purple in some lights. This colour, called "Bleu Roi" (royal blue) is a new addition to Parmigiani Fleurier’s very rich palette of colours, and has been specially developed for the Tonda Chronor Anniversaire.

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The lightness of the Panerai Lo Scienziato is truly remarkable, particularly considering its size and its wealth of features: hours, minutes, small seconds, GMT with am/pm indication, a power reserve of six days with indication of the power remaining on the back, and a tourbillon escapement. The secret of its lightness lies in the ingenious work of minimalisation carried out by the Laboratorio di Idee of the Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel on the case and on the sophisticated P.2005/T movement, to design a watch with the typical Panerai characteristics but with a substantially lower weight.

The Luminor 1950 case of the new Special Edition has the classic diameter of 47 mm and it is made of titanium. The P.2005 mechanical movement, the hand-wound calibre with the special tourbillon patented by Panerai, appears here for the first time in the P.2005/T version, skeletonised and with titanium bridges and plates.

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Roger Dubuis raised the curtain on a gorgeous array of Velvet timepieces offering irrefutable confirmation of its ability to meet women’s high expectations and express various facets of feminine nature. Blossom Velvet subtly hints at the feline side of female nature, inspired by the iconic Flower Clock in the centre of Geneva, the city to which Roger Dubuis has sworn allegiance by having its watches certified by the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, the Blossom Velvet Blue depicts wild blooms that transcend any specific geographic location by appealing to the imagination and its indefinable floral fantasies.  The 36 mm white gold case is rimmed with two rows of brilliant-cut diamonds adorning the bezel and lugs, transforming the Velvet’s classic central “third lug” into a precious link. Beneath this vibrantly ‘alive’ dial with its clever depth effects ticks a mechanical self-winding movement with a 48-hour power reserve, Calibre RD821.

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The Vacheron Constantin contemporary yet classic Patrimony collection welcomes a new 36 mm model designed for both feminine and masculine wrists. Two new references thus join the collection, adorned with bracelets in 18K white gold or 18K 5N pink gold. These watches bearing the Hallmark of Geneva house a self-winding 2450 Q6 caliber entirely manufactured by Vacheron Constantin. The gold oscillating weight is polished and engraved according to an exclusive motif inspired by the emblem of the Maison. The elegantly streamlined watch profile highlights an appealing 8.1 mm thick silhouette. The 18K gold case frames a silvered opaline dial enlivened by an aperture-type date display and a central seconds hand. Long applied hour-markers interspersed with a circular “pearl” minute-track set a pleasing visual cadence. The quest for simplicity follows the regular sweep of the hands with all the inherent refinement of the Patrimony collection. Fitted with a remarkably supple 18K gold bracelet, the Patrimony small model is perfect for daily wear in any circumstance.