Market News

Cartier and Tiffany & Co. make the list of the Best Global Brands

Cartier and Tiffany & Co. again made the list of the Best Global Brands, a ranking compiled annually by consultancy Interbrand based on a number of factors, including financial performance. Cartier ranked No. 58 out of 100, valued at $7.44 billion with its brand value increasing 8 percent year-over-year, which is a considerable drop from the 26 percent increase in brand value the company saw in 2013. Still, the brand climbed from its No. 60 ranking in 2013. Tiffany & Co. came in at No. 71, valued at $5.93 billion with a 9 percent increase from last year. The jewelry giant also improved its ranking, coming in at No. 75 last year.

Dubai hotel occupancy grows to 76.3 percent

Hotel performance in Dubai improved last month, driven by cooler temperatures and the return of business in the city, according to preliminary data by research firm STR Global. Occupancy edged up 0.3 per cent to 76.3 per cent, and average daily rate (ADR) declined by 4 per cent to Dh671.87, resulting in revenue per available room (RevPAR-a benchmark for performance) dropping 3.7 per cent to Dh512.83. In August, Dubai’s hotel occupancy rose 2.1 per cent to 75.1 per cent, while ADR in the emirate fell 5.7 per cent to Dh682.21. Winkle expects Dubai hotels’ RevPAR to grow by 2.2 per cent by the end of the year.

Bahrain economy grew by 5.6% in Q2 2014

Bahrain experienced overall GDP growth of 5.6% in Q2 2014, when compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest Bahrain Economic Quarterly (BEQ) issued by the Economic Development Board (EDB) today. The report carried by Bahrain News Agency (BNA) also revealed that Q2 2014 GDP growth reached 3.2% in comparison to the first quarter of 2014, with the total GDP growth of the year 2014 expected to reach about 3.7%.

Company News

OMEGA celebrates the De Ville Butterfly wristwatches with its brand ambassador

Brand ambassador Nicole Kidman and OMEGA celebrated the De Ville Butterfly wristwatches at a high-profile event at the elaborately decorated Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul recently. The Oscar-winning actress was joined by Swiss singer/songwriter Bastian Baker and OMEGA president Stephen Urquhart in the South Korean capital. The DDP, which was designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid.

Chopard re-opens its Dubai Mall Boutique

The Dubai Mall Boutique, flagship store for Chopard in the Middle East region, re-opened its doors on 13th October 2014 with the brand’s new Boutique design concept by renowned architect Thierry W. Despont. Light-toned wood (white oak), opulent leathers, silk and precious velvet, along with a fireplace: Thierry Despont has chosen to maintain the plush, comfortable charm of the former boutiques.

Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge approaches the end of its 10th year

After an exhilarating season of events on the world’s most fascinating seas, the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge approaches the end of its 10th year. Between September 21st and 28th, in fact, the 11th and final stage of the circuit plays out as part of the 36th edition of the Régates Royales de Cannes. A fleet of no less than 80 yachts built between the end of the 19th century and the present day, gathered in the Cote d’Azur city’s Vieux Port before doing battle not just for the Panerai watches that presented to the winners of the various main categories but also the Trophy that goes to the overall winner of a season begun in April with the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.

Shawish Genève to open its London Flagship store

On October 20, Shawish Geneve will open its new London outpost on 143 Fulham road. Shawish Geneve credo is to creating the unexpected combining the traditional jewellery with modern technology.

Hublot unveils its latest store in Dubai

Hublot reveals its latest pop-up store in Dubai combined with the kick-off of the first Hublot Challenge. The inauguration took place on the 1st of October with the presence of Hublot Chairman Jean-Claude Biver, Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, Senior VP of Sales & Retail at Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, long-term partners of Hublot in Dubai. The event was crowned with a special appearance from His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who discovered the latest novelties from Hublot.

Product Launch

A. Lange & Söhne presents RICHARD LANGE TOURBILLON “Pour le Mérite”

A. Lange & Söhne introduces RICHARD LANGE TOURBILLON “Pour le Mérite” in a white-gold version with blued steel hands and blue minutes scale markers. The regulator dial of the Richard Lange Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite” shows the time indications with separate displays. The dial is in solid silver, argente. The special edition of the Richard Lange Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite” is now being presented with a noble white-gold case. The high-contrast time display with blued-steel hands and blue hour markers in the minute circle assures excellent legibility on the argenté-coloured solid-silver dial as the background. Hand stitched crocodile strap, black.

BELL&ROSS introduces the Vintage collection

BELL&ROSS launches the Vintage BR126 SPORT HERITAGE FLYBACK GMT and the Vintage BR123 SPORT GMT 24h. In the Vintage Collection, the Vintage Sport Heritage line pays particular tribute to the watches worn by civil aviation pilots in the 1960s. With gold-plated metal appliquéd numerals and index, its brushed steel case and its gold leather strap, the BR 126 SPORT HERITAGE GMT & FLYBACK is a sophisticated version of the Heritage style. The case is Immovable black bezel with alumunium ring. The dial is in black. The strap is calfskin with hot stamping. Bell & Ross fitted the Vintage BR 123 with dual time zone display. The case is in satin-brushed steel, stationary graduated bezel. The dial is in black. The strap is patterned black rubber. Clasp – pin buckle with satin brushed steel.

Quinting launches its exclusive Zodiac Collection

Quinting launches this year its exclusive Zodiac Collection: Tomorrow’s Time, The 12 signs of the Zodiac, Diamond Stars, Master its destiny.  Skies have always been visible to the naked eyes. However, before Galileo’s first telescope in 1609, the celestial movements remained quite mysterious. With its new Zodiac Collection, Quinting launches twelve different models, one for each sign (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces). As with its now famous Telescopium model (representing the Big Bear), diamonds, hand-crimped on the sapphires, here symbolize the stars in each constellation.

Messika presents its latest the Angel collection

Since its inception, Messika has become associated with a few key concepts; innovation, transgression and expertise. The latest collection from Messika, the Angel collection, illustrates these concepts perfectly. United together, this collection’s marquise cut stones subtly draw the form of diamond wings. Defying traditional codes, these creations display a unique rock spirit giving the wearer a chic but casual look. The latest campaign by Messika Paris is collaboration with renowned photographer, Mario Sorrenti which offers a powerful aesthetic dialogue.

Vertu launches Aster, the Quintessentially English Smartphone

Vertu Aster delivers exceptional connectivity through quad-band GSM, 3G and LTE 4G capability. Extraordinary 5.1-inch 5th Generation solid sapphire crystal screen with full HD display technology and titanium casing delivers strength and beauty. The new handset features Dolby® Digital Plus virtual surround sound and Hasselblad certified imaging. Aster will launch in a palette of six, rich colours, across seven product executions: Onyx Calf, Blush Calf, Lagoon Calf, Caviar Karung, Tangerine Karung, Cognac Ostrich and Raspberry Ostrich. 

Exhibitions & Events

Christie’s Dubai sale to start on October 21st 2014

The  eight important family collections from across the region, led by a comprehensive group of the Lebanese modernist pictures by Shafic Abboud from the Viviane and Robert Debbas Collection, are at the heart of the 122-lot sale of Modern and Contemporary Arab, Iranian and Turkish Art to be held by Christie’s at the Emirates Towers Hotel on October 21. These include works from a prominent Private Iranian Collection, the Dr. Farsi Collection, works from the Tobler family, the Hamed Ewais, Elie Kanaan and Mahmoud Hammad Estates as well a group of Modern Iraqi works from the Private Collection of the late Dr. Al-Qassab.

Salon des Grandes Complications to debut in Dubai

Salon des Grandes Complications is set to debut in Dubai from 25th – 27th November 2014 at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The first of its kind in the Middle East, Salon des Grandes Complications is a new watchmaking exhibition concept designed to offer a platform for the fine watchmaking sector to engage with watch collectors and enthusiasts from across the region. The exhibition will feature timepieces by some of the world's most celebrated watchmakers and is set to thrill connoisseurs with several rare and limited edition pieces. Each brand will present their novelties and certain horological highlights and there will be live demonstrations by various watchmakers and engravers flown in especially for the exhibition. Supported by Audi Corporate, Bang & Olufsen and Christie’s, with Watch Anish as official media partner, the inaugural edition of Salon des Grandes Complications will take place in line with the DIFC tenth anniversary celebrations and is set to become a yearly event.

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