Abu Dhabi GDP up by 7.7% in fourth quarter; Middle East and Africa IoT investment to grow by 17.86%; Dubai ranks among the top 5 global cities preferred by entrepreneurs and families.

Market Report

GRAHAM unveils The Vantage of Vintage.

GRAHAM celebrates the 15th anniversary of its Chronofighter model. The colour palette for the dials and straps embraces navy blue, brown or black. Sophisticated high-performance is the domain of a G1747 automatic chronograph movement, visible through the case back, with an Incabloc shock absorber and a power reserve of 48 hours. The passing of the hours, minutes and seconds is masterminded on the main dial, which also has a clearly visible date display at 9 o’clock. Elements such as fine stitching on the leather and fire-red tips on the second hands punctuate the extrovert look.

Market News

Abu Dhabi GDP up by 7.7% in fourth quarter.

Abu Dhabi’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) jumped to Dh196.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015, marking a 7.7 per cent increase over the same quarter in 2014, the government said in the press release.

The growth was enhanced by the emirate’s non-oil sector, whose GDP rose 8.8 per cent at fixed prices and accounted for 50.7 per cent of the total GDP (up from 50.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2014). Oil GDP also rose at a rate of 7.1 per cent.

Middle East and Africa IoT investment to grow by 17.86%.

Investment in Internet of Things (IoT) hardware, software, services and connectivity this year in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region will grow by 17.86 per cent to $6.6 billion (Dh24 billion) compared to $5.6 billion last year.

IoT is defined as the network of devices that are connected to the internet and can be controlled remotely.

Wale Babalola, a research analyst at International Data Corporation, said that the investment in the UAE is expected to increase by 23.74 per cent to $436.8 million this year compared to $353 million last year. The total investment in MEA IoT is expected to cross more than $14.3 billion in 2020.

Dubai ranks among the top 5 global cities preferred by entrepreneurs and families.

Dubai is among the top global location for entrepreneurs to do their stuff, being ranked fourth in Knight Frank’s latest rankings. While Hong Kong and London were locked into the top spots, Dubai came in 4th in terms of importance to entrepreneurs, along with Geneva, Sydney and Vienna. Vancouver was in third spot. The ‘Global lifestyle Review’ is based on assessments of the most important lifestyle elements individuals consider when relocating their businesses and families overseas.

Company News

Audemars Piguet introduces its new social media campaign to supports Serena's quest.

Audemars Piguet introduces its new social media campaign to support Serena’s quest for victory. Serena Williams continues her grass-court campaign in South West London to defend the crown she won last year. A 7th victory there would represent her highest number of wins for a specific grand slam tournament as she counts 3 wins on the red clay of Paris, and 6 on each of the hard courts of Melbourne and New York.

F.P.Journe organizes its third Golf Cup at the prestigious Geneva Golf Club.

F.P.Journe arranges its third Golf Cup at the prestigious Geneva Golf Club with the stable ford type of play in reference to its watches with complication. F.P.Journe also presented both models of the line Sport in Titanium, the Centigraphe Sport, chronograph with manual winding measuring the 100th of second and the automatic Octa Sport. F.P.Journe rewarded the winners of the gross score, Mr. Loïc Brunschwig and Mr. Alban Lammens who have received a Caran d’Ache Ecridor silver pen.

Montblanc launches New Urban Spirit Collection.

Montblanc opens the door to the Montblanc Urban Spirit Gallery in Paris, a space transformed into an urban environment for the launch of the Montblanc Urban Spirit Collection, a brand new collection of fine leather companions designed for the urban traveller.

Swatch takes off to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The 2016 Olympic Games is not all about sports. For those who like partying, the event (held in Rio de Janeiro!) can also be a great excuse to let loose and have fun. Swatch has created an exuberant, color-happy collection for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. For the opening day parades there are dotty streamers on a bright New Gent (DOTS IN RIO, SUOW128) and a vibrant, fun POP (POPTABON, PNZ100. For the games and races there's a rugged Chrono Plastic (RIO ALL AROUND, SUSN100) with loopy, interlocking colored rings.

Roberto Coin lands in Mykonos.

Roberto Coin rises the new boutique in the heart of the most luxurious street in Mykonos. Its atmosphere follows the brand’s identity marks, able to introduce the client into an exclusive customer experience. The boutique hosts the main Roberto Coin core collections and the key pieces that made the glorious history of the brand.

Product Launch

A. Lange & Söhne presents SAXONIA AUTOMATIC.

A. Lange & Söhne is presenting two new models of the SAXONIA AUTOMATIC with Terra-brown dials. The pink-gold and white-gold versions are being launched to celebrate the reopening of the Lange Boutique in Ginza, Tokyo. Both elegant self-winding models have 38.5-millimetre cases. Colour-coordinated, hand-stitched alligator leather straps in red brown and dark brown. The solid-gold hands and hour markers match the case colours and underscore their prominent design. As all other Lange models, the SAXONIA AUTOMATIC is assembled a second time.

Bremont introduces the Limited Edition DH-88 watch.

Bremont is honoring the de Havilland DH88 Comet, an aircraft built in 1934 to compete in the MacPherson Centenary Air Race, with the Limited Edition Bremont DH-88 Chronometer. The watch comes in stainless steel and rose gold variations, with the former produced in a run of 282 units, the latter just 82. The watch feature a Calibre 13 1/4" BE-54AE automatic movement with 42 hour power reserve, the rotor features some of the spruce plywood. Metal dial with fine opalin matt black base colour. Alligator strap with pin buckle to complement case material.

Manufacture Royale presents the 1770 Haute Voltige.

The Manufacture Royale 1770 Haute Voltige comes in a large 45mm case in stainless steel; the hand-sewn black alligator leather strap, featuring a black steel PVD pin buckle. The timepiece from Manufacture Royale features an AR-coated sapphire crystal, complemented by a sapphire display back. The Manufacture Royale 1770 Haute Voltige in-house caliber makes things tick in this watch, featuring 28 jewels and a pretty impressive 40-hour power reserve. Dubbed as MR07, this complex movement also features visible bridges and plates that were hand-decorated and feature the special Côtes de Genève finishing.

RJ-Romain Jerome unveils Tetris – DNA.

RJ-Romain Jerome introduces a red rubber strap to bring out the dial which features a random sequence of the game’s signature Tetriminos, the famous geometric shapes composed of four square blocks. RJ iconic 46 mm Moon Invader case, in black PVD-coated titanium, highlights the Tetriminos that have been gemset by hand in the center of the dial. Focusing on RJ-Romain Jerome’s savvy artisanal know-how, each Tetrimino has been crafted as a combination of four “Clou de Paris” in anodized aluminium.

Ulysse Nardin presents Diver Black Sea.

The Diver Black Sea by Ulysse Nardin is with stainless case coated with vulcanized rubber. The rubber extends to the unidirectional turning bezel, with a rubberized screw crown and the rubber strap has a folding clasp. Open dial in black with colored wave grid luminescent indexes and hands, rubberized bezel set with colored ceramic baguettes.

Emporio Armani unveils its autumn 2016 watch collection.

The Emporio Armani autumn 2016 watch collection, antique gold-tone plating is paired with striking brown dials, and, for men’s styles, with straps in the grey. The pairing of midnight blue with hints of rose gold is inspired by the Emporio Armani runway collections. The minimalist designs allow the colours to shine: rich navy leather straps in smooth or stingray finishes complement navy sunray or white mother-of-pearl dials with rose gold, IP, and stainless-steel cases.

Franck Muller reveals Galet for Women.

“Galet” is the French word for pebble. For this collection, the designers from the House of Franck Muller drew their inspiration from Nature’s art at its simplest: the pebble. The decoration of the movement is cotes de Geneve, circular graining, diamond polishing. The dial is sun-stamped lacquered with black or white Arabic or Roman numerals. The case is white gold or red gold. Strap is hand-sewn alligator.

Exhibitions & Events

Christie to hold special series of sale - Patek Philippe Nautilus collection.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Patek Philippe’s Nautilus collection, Christie’s international Watch department will be holding a special series of sale highlights dedicated to this iconic watch. Between October and December 2016, four major auction venues — Dubai, Geneva, Hong Kong and New York will each offer 10 exceptional Nautilus models as part of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 40 series.

Hermès host the ‘‘Crafting Time' exhibition in Paris.

Hermès presents the “Crafting Time” exhibition in Paris started from 22nd June till 15th July. For this second edition, artist Guillaume Airiaud is presents five skills applied to Hermès exceptional watches: crystal art glass, enamelling, Haute Horlogerie, engraving and gemsetting. Three Exceptional Pieces are being showcased for the very first time at the exhibition - ARCEAU Pocket ailes et écailles, MÉDOR serti baguette and MÉDOR secrete.

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