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Mohammed Shirazi, Director, Bahrain Jewellery Centre turns the spotlight on Jewellery Arabia 2019; Richemont acquires Buccellati
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Interviews
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Mohammed Shirazi, Director, Bahrain Jewellery Centre turns the spotlight on Jewellery Arabia 2019
What can BJC customers expect to see at the Bahrain Jewellery Arabia show this year? Are there any exclusive pieces or new releases brought only for the fair? If yes, what are they?
It is a crucial attribute of the Bahrain Jewellery Centre DNA to always invest in bringing the best jewellery from around the world under the BJC umbrella for our valued clients. This year in Jewellery Arabia, Bahrain Jewelry Centre will have an array of exquisite brands ranging from jewellery products for daily use to mesmerizingly classic high-end collections. There is something for everyone, we are keen on satisfying all tastes. We have chosen a magnificent ensemble of jewellery and watch brands for this year’s fair, it will be something of a true spectacular for our clients.
In your opinion, how does the Bahrain Jewellery Arabia show spur the watches and jewellery market in the kingdom? Jewellery Arabia is one of the yearly events in Bahrain that people eagerly await. Clients know that they can find exclusive novelties at the exhibition, so it is an exciting event for everyone. Having the biggest booth at JA gives us an advantage because we can actually showcase a lot of our brands and sub brands highlighting each piece. This gives our clients an idea about all the fine merchandise that are in our store throughout the year.
E-commerce and digital marketing are becoming more and more important. Kindly explain BJC’s perspective towards online sale and social media use and effectiveness.
In my opinion, e-commerce is the new norm of advertising in the Middle East, it's the inevitable future. We have and we will invest a significant part of our budget into this because e-commerce has become the order of day. However, when it comes to e-commerce in the jewellery industry there is something to take note of. I believe when you buy a precious jewellery or a watch you need to physically feel what you are buying. Personal brand experience is a must. So, even though jewellery will move into the e-commerce marketplace, it will have a limited appeal in the high-end segment.
Swiss watch exports to the region are showing a decline. How do you reason for this and what are your expectations?
Swiss watch export figures may vary in different areas in the Middle East, but imports from prominent Swiss brands have not decreased over the years. Instead, it has actually increased exponentially in the Kingdom of Bahrain. We are an optimistic company and believe in our principles. We are proud of the brands we carry and forever value the historic relationship between us. |
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Market News
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Richemont acquires Buccellati
Luxury goods holding company, Richemont, has acquired 100% of Buccellati, the renowned Italian high jewelry house, in a private transaction with Chinese investment company, Gangtai Group Corp., for an undisclosed price. Buccellati, based in Milan, is one of the world’s most renowned high jewelry houses, celebrated for its craftsmanship, design, rare colored gems, and one-of-a-kind pieces. It is known for its signature lace rings and necklaces worn by monarchs and movie stars, with some of its pieces selling for more than $1 million. |
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Swiss watch exports shows average growth in August 2019
Swiss watch exports were average in August. The value of exports was 1.5 billion francs, an increase of 1.5% compared with August 2018. The sector therefore remains on a slightly upward trend, in a still relatively challenging context, depending on the market. Eight months into the year, growth is at +1.9%. |
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Cartier launches latest watch collection exclusively on NET-A-PORTER
Following Cartier’s permanent launch on NET-A-PORTER’s fine jewellery platform last year, the site will exclusively launch four styles of Cartier’s Panthère de Cartier Manchette collection, alongside five styles of Cartier’s iconic Panthère de Cartier collection. In the manchette watch, Cartier accentuates the flowing, silky bracelet of the Panthère de Cartier watch. There is a partly open-worked chain that reveals a glimpse of skin and lightens the material to create a casual yet stylish piece. While the Panthère de Cartier collection comprises existing smaller styles with a double and triple strap bracelet. |
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Saudi Arabia launches its tourist visas
Saudi Arabia has now made available tourist visas for citizens from up to 49 countries. For the first time, tourists can now apply for a visa through Saudi embassies and consulates across the world. Citizens from the following 49 countries will be eligible to apply for e-visas and visas on arrival: USA, Canada, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Spain, Belgium, Malaysia, Austria, Cyprus, UK, Croatia, Estonia, Andorra, Denmark, Germany, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Czech Republic, Holland, Italy, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Greece, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Iceland, Malta, Poland, Latvia, Norway, Russia, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovenia, Montenegro, Slovakia, Switzerland, Portugal, Sweden, Australia, San Marino, Ukraine, China, including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. |
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Company News
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Audemars Piguet brings its savoir-faire to Tokyo
Audemars Piguet will unveil its new exhibition, Beyond Watchmaking, in Tokyo Midtown from October 19 to November 4, 2019. This exhibition will offer visitors a unique and transformative experience of Audemars Piguet’s creative universe. Beyond Watchmaking tells the story of the Manufacture’s craftspeople who have continuously developed new skills and techniques, broadening their savoir-faire to set rule-breaking trends across generations. Spanning 144 years of history, the exhibition features more than 150 watches from Audemars Piguet’s heritage and contemporary collections as well as spaces of encounters and exchanges dedicated to the Manufacture’s ancestral savoir-faire. |
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Ulysse Nardin lights up the Bay of Monaco with the Grand Feu
This year, the Monaco Yacht Show once again welcomed lovers of sumptuous yachts, incredible destinations and luxury getaways in Port Hercules. In this idyllic setting, Ulysse Nardin, official sponsor of the show, presented its new arrival in a limited edition of 100 pieces: the MARINE TORPILLEUR MONACO YACHT SHOW. Since its very beginnings, Ulysse Nardin has focused its attention on the nautical world. With this new timepiece, the Swiss Manufacture reaffirms its standing as the watchmaker of the seas. The show’s visitors and fine watchmaking aficionados discovered the brand’s new models in the Upper Deck lounge. |
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User-Generated launch of the Pioneer by H. Moser & Cie.
Reaffirming its practices of approachability and reactivity on digital media in a way that is unheard of among the majority of established watch brands, H. Moser & Cie. puts the international online watch community at the core of its latest product launch with the Pioneer Tour, where its newest sporty-chic creation – the Pioneer Centre Seconds Funky Blue Black Edition – has been entrusted to the international community of watch-lovers and Moser fans, where the watch is traveling the world from one wrist to another in an uncharted odyssey. |
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Product Launch
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Richard Mille introduces RM 62-01 Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm Airbus Corporate Jets
Richard Mille and Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) launched a new travel-watch, inspired by and adapted to, exclusive journeys on an Airbus Corporate Jets. A watch featuring an all new grand complication, an incomparable timepiece for travellers, and a companion suited to daily wear and use, the RM 62-01 Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm ACJ exemplifies the entire Richard Mille philosophy: taking functionality and performance to new limits. |
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TAG Heuer presents limited edition Monaco timepiece
TAG Heuer celebrated the unveiling of the fourth timepiece in the Monaco through Time saga in the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures at the Tokyo National Museum in Japan. Celebrated for its daring contemporary design combining beauty and functionality, Japan was an ideal place to honour the legendary Monaco and the bold design that has set it apart from all others for half a century. In the gallery, guests admires the heritage pieces, novelties and the previous three editions of the Monaco anniversary collection. DJ FPM set the mood throughout the cocktail party with his unique style and throwback tunes from the early 2000s. |
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Slim d'Hermès Pégase Paysage
The Slim d’Hermès watch, created by Philippe Delhotal in 2015, lends itself to a new expression of expertise: wood marquetry. Its thin case with angular lugs frames a dial bearing the effigy of Pegasus composed of rare wood species. This «horse landscape» is revealed through woody nuances. Its head viewed in profile expresses lightness, power and serenity, while its undulations evoke a bird’s eye view of hills, water and terraced rice fields. The Slim d’Hermès Pégase Paysage watch, available in a limited edition of eight, comes in a 39.5 mm diameter white gold case fitted with a matt Havana alligator strap. |
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Frederique Constant presents two new Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture timepieces
These two new additions highlight a grey dial with sunray decoration and applied indexes featuring Perlage and circular Côtes de Genève decoration on the movement, all in a refined polished stainless steel, or rose gold-plated polished stainless case. As a Perpetual Calendar, this timepiece not only indicates the lunar cycles but also the minutes, hours, date, day, month and year in four digits; each placed strategically to offer an aesthetically pleasant and easy-to-read dial. The date is indicated at 3 o’clock, the day of the week at 9 o’clock, the month at 12 o’clock as well as the leap year, in a sub-dial at 6 o’clock. |
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Cuervo y Sobrinos launches new Vuelo Rosillo collection
As a lasting tribute to Domingo Rosillo, Cuervo y Sobrinos has launched the new Vuelo Rosillo collection: a limited edition of 90 pieces in dial colors that symbolize the 90 miles between Key West and Havana. The Rosillo Range is the first pilot range to be produced under the Cuervo y Sobrinos name. It’s a sport watch with features that are typical of aviator watches: large numbers, high visibility dials and a pilot’s strap that contribute to the Latin retro chic that makes the brand so unique in the world of horology. The Vuelo (flight in Spanish) is a name that perfectly fits this range and serves to consolidate the retro and vintage DNA of the brand. |
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Exhibitions & Events
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Jewellery Arabia 2019 makes its return for the 28th year
Jewellery Arabia 2019, the Middle East’s premier jewellery and watch exhibition, is set to return to the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre from 19 – 23 November 2019. This prestigious 28th edition is held annually under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. Spanning 21,000 square metres of exhibition space, a huge array of jewellery, watches, gems and luxury accessories will go on sale to members of the public and trade. Open free of charge, show organisers Informa Markets anticipate an attendance of over 55,000 visitors during the 5 day event. |
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Jewellery and Watch Show to feature new brands to the region and new digital initiatives
Now in its 27th edition, the Jewellery and Watch Show will once again be returning to Abu Dhabi next month on 26-30th October at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). With hundreds of exciting brands from more than 25 countries, the Jewellery and Watch Show (JWS) will be hosting an array of unique jewellery designers, many of which will be displayed for the first time during the show. JWS remains a prominent moment when designers can showcase their latest collections and provides a unique platform for unveiling trend-setting pieces that visitors can view first hand. |
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Diwali party at Sotheby's Dubai
Sotheby’s Dubai will be holding a Diwali Party, an evening of cocktails and canapés in the midst of autumn exhibition in Sotheby’s Dubai office at DIFC on 6 October 2019. The gallery will play host magnificent jewellery, captivating modern and contemporary artworks by leading Middle Eastern and South Asian painters as well as masterpieces of classical Islamic art. |
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Celebrity News
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Lady Kitty Spencer shines in Bvlgari at the amfAR Gala Dinner during the Milan Fashion Week
Bvlgari Brand Ambassador Lady Kitty Spencer shines in Bvlgari High Jewelry Serpenti necklace paired with diamond studs. |
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Anna Netrebko wears Chopard to the Metropolitan Opera Opening Night Gala
Opera star Anna Netrebko attended the Metropolitan Opera Opening Night Gala wearing jewelry by Chopard. Anna selected to wear earrings from the “Copacabana Collection” featuring 88.82-carats of pink sapphire beads, 3.80-carats of diamond beads, and .38-carats of diamonds set in 18k white gold paired with a bracelet from the “Haute Joaillerie Collection” featuring 16.45-carats of diamonds set in 18k white gold. |
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Nicole Kidman wears Harry Winston jewels to the Monte-Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean
Nicole Kidman wore Harry Winston jewels to the Monte-Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean hosted by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco. |
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Sophie Turner wears Louis Vuitton at the 71st Emmy Awards
Sophie Turner is wearing a custom satin gown, sandals, along with a necklace and ring from the Louis Vuitton High Jewelry Collection. “L’armure” necklace and ring from the Riders of the Knights Collection are both made of white gold and baguette cut diamonds. |
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