Brexit worries for Swiss watchmakers; Balmain to be acquired by Mayhoola for investments - Qatar; Richard Mille watches worth millions stolen in Paris.

Market News

Brexit worries for Swiss watchmakers.

Swiss watch exports are set to fall by 10% this year, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. Demand for luxury watches will suffer due to additional uncertainties linked to the British vote to leave the European Union, and to the stronger Swiss franc, according to a recent report published by the swissinfo.ch.

Great Britain is the seventh biggest destination for Swiss watch exports.

Balmain to be acquired by Mayhoola for investments - Qatar.

Mayhoola, the Qatari private investment company, has agreed to acquire Balmain International SA (the parent company of Balmain group) from its current owners. The closing of the deal is expected to occur during summer 2016.

Richard Mille watches worth millions stolen in Paris.

Two safes containing luxury watches worth €3m (£2.5m) have been stolen from a Paris warehouse.

The theft took place in the eighth district of the French capital, at a storage facility for luxury watchmaker Richard Mille. One of the police sources said the safes had not been attached to anything.

Local residents alerted police after noticing strange activities in the area on Sunday night. The wealthier districts of Paris are home to some of the world’s top brands, making them a prime target for robberies.

Company News

Chopard celebrates Ramadan with its guests in Kuwait City.

Chopard along with its partner Trafalgar Company in Kuwait have recently invited their guests and members of the press, to an exquisite gathering at the Hamra Mall “Sky Lobby” to celebrate the start of the whole month of Ramadan, the highly celebrated period in the Middle Eastern region.

Following its stores in UAE and Bahrain De Beers opens its first boutique in Kuwait.

As part of its expansion plan in the Gulf region, De Beers has recently opened its first retail store in Kuwait city at the Prestige section of the ‘Avenues’ mall. Several high end brands are already operating out of the Avenue Prestige section, such as Chopard Boutique, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Bulgari and Harvey Nicolas among many other luxury brands.

Audemars Piguet Golf Ambassador Henrik Stenson wins in Germany.

Henrik Stenson consolidated his place as the best ranked Audemars Piguet Golf Ambassador worldwide, with a victory at the BMW International Open in Germany. When lifting the trophy, Henrik sported a Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph specially made for the Audemars Piguet Golf Dream Team.

Product Launch

A.Lange & Sohne presents SAXONIA THIN

The new SAXONIA THIN was originally unveiled at the SIHH in Geneva in January 2016. Now it is available through retailers in pink and white gold, with a case diameter of either 37 or 40 millimetres. Both versions are powered by the manually wound calibre L093.1 movement. Its classic quality hallmarks include the German-silver three-quarter plate deco-rated with Glashütte ribbing, solarised winding-train wheels, three screwed gold chatons and a hand-engraved balance cock.

Richard Mille presents RM 11-02 Le Mans Classic.

Richard Mille creates a new watch the RM 11-02 Le Mans Classic for the 8TH edition of Le Mans Classic which will take place from July 8th through 10th on the renowned Bugatti circuit under the colours of Maison Richard Mille, principal partner and official timekeeper for the competition. The watch, an automatic calibre in grade 5 titanium incorporating a variable-geometry rotor, annual calendar, UTC display, 24-hour flyback chronograph and countdown feature. The bezel and caseback in white ATZ ceramic, caseband in NTPT carbon.

Franck Muller discovers the emblematic Master Banker Index Map.

The Master Banker collection celebrates its anniversary with a new model: the Master Banker Index Map watch that concentrates on the essence of complications and offers three different time zones adjustable with the same crown. Finally, to complete the series, the Master Banker is also available with a gorgeous moon phase or a breath-taking tourbillon.

Chopard introduces Happy Sport 36mm.

Chopard reveals new and ephemeral on-trend colours - Happy Sport model fitted with a strap you can change yourself, in step with your moods and the changing seasons. For summer, sky blue, sea green and bright orange vie with each other to embrace the Happy Sport 36mm with its interchangeable strap system. On the back of the strap, nestling against the skin, the Chopard mantra “Be Happy” inscription distils its message like a secret lucky charm.

Piaget’s pre-launch of the Limelight Gala Milanese in the GCC.

Piaget presents its Limelight Gala Milanese collection, an exclusive pre-launch in the GCC. The first glance by its round case enhanced by two dainty elongated asymmetrical lugs, its voluptuous curves highlighted by a bezel set with gently graded round diamonds, as well as its pure dial gracefully punctuated by slender Roman numerals. And if by chance there were to be any lingering doubts as to its identity, they are unequivocally dispelled by its gold bracelet.

CONCORD introduces its new watch Impresario Lady in Black MOP Dial.

Impresario Lady in Black MOP Dial comes 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 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.

Ulysse Nardin unveils Marine Chronograph Annual Calendar.

The new UN-153 caliber is manufactured entirely in-house and beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour. This particularly well designed movement allows the time and calendar pointers to be moved in either direction. The model also includes a chronograph feature. The Marine Chronograph Annual Calendar bears the same outstanding classic forms as sailing instruments, including a ribbed bezel, a screw-crown guaranteeing perfect water-resistance.

Frederique Constant unveils new Runabout Watches.

Frederique Constant’s partnership with the Riva Historical Society, annually promotes and commemorates the runabout boats with a nautical-inspired limited edition watch. The Runabout watches feature a 43-mm case, in either rose gold plated or stainless steel, a diamond-hard convex sapphire crystal protecting the dial. The flag of the Riva Historical Society is etched into the case back window. The wonderfully silvered or brown dials have a guilloche decoration in the center and Arabic numeral markers. A black or brown strap completes this elegant and uncluttered watch.

Samra Jewellery presents Kids’ jewellery collection on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr.

Samra Jewellery of UAE collaborates with actress and TV presenter Roaa Al Sabban to extend the Butterfly collection with kids’ jewellery line. The launch of the kids’ line will be introduced in occasion of Eid Al Fitr celebrations in Samra Boutique in the Yas Mall starting from July 1st.

Damiani presents the sunglasses of Mimosa Collection.

Damiani reveals the exclusive, very precious sunglasses of the Mimosa collection. In a dashing colour palette, the glasses are presented in the trendy version, with blue lenses, and total bright decoration in white gold and very pure diamonds, for a sophisticated colour combination. There are also two neo-retro variants with brown lenses co-ordinated with the Mimosa motif in yellow gold and white diamonds, or combined with pink gold and white and brown diamonds.

Exhibitions & Events

F.P.Journe unique timepiece sold at auction for 120’000. – Euros in favor of the ICM.

The charity gala for the ICM, Brain and Spinal Cord Institute, took place at the Conciergerie in Paris in the presence of many prestigious guests. F.P.Journe created for the occasion, a unique timepiece of his model the Centigraphe Souverain in Platinum, producing a dial in blue mother of pearl featuring the ICM logo. It sold for 120’000. - Euros and the entire amount has been given to ICM.

Celebrity News

Celebrities sparkles in Messika at the 2016 BET Awards.

Chloe and Halle Bailey wears Messika at the 2016 BET Awards.

Chole wears a Glam'Azone double ring and her sister Halle wears the Glam'Azone Skinny necklace.

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