Market Report : 11th Edition of Middle East “Watch of the Year” Awards
Dubai, UAE; The acclaimed Middle East “Watch of the Year” Awards were held on Thursday, 19th November at the The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre. An annual event since 2005, “Watch of the Year” aims to establish industry standards across the Middle East and raise awareness of watch culture and horological craftsmanship.
Rounding up the second Salon des Grandes Complications fine watchmaking event, the exclusive Gala & Awards Ceremony was attended by over 400 of the region’s most prominent watch enthusiasts, brand representatives, retailers and industry leaders.
Watchmaking companies were recognised for their contribution to the industry and performance across 12 different categories. Awarded brands and respective categories were:
• Best Multi-Time Zone Watch – Bovet 1822 Récital 17
• Best Tourbillon Watch – Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon
• Best Classical Watch – H. Moser & Cie Venturer Small Seconds
• Best High-End Jewelled Watch – Cartier Ronde Louis Cartier XL Watch, filigree Panthers Motif
• Best Technical Innovation Watch – Ulysse Nardin Stranger
• Best Sports Watch – Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic
• Best Men’s Watch – Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Astrotourbillon Skeleton Watch Calibre 9461 MC
• Best Ladies Watch – Chopard L.U.C XPS 35mm Esprit de Fleurier
• Best Chronograph Watch – Arnold & Son TEC1
• Best Design Watch – Vianney Halter Deep Space Tourbillon
• Best Independent Watch Brand – MB&F
• Best Digital Watch - Montblanc TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap
Nominated brands were judged by a distinguished panel of 16 experts including esteemed collectors Claude Sfier, Mishal Kanoo, Abbas Behbahani and Adel Ibrahim Yousuf, amongst several other connoisseurs and industry heavyweights. Results were independently adjudicated by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
“It is a pleasure to be involved in the Watch of the Year awards,” said Mr. Claude Sfier. “Horology has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and it is great to have a regional body taking an in-depth look into the industry and recognising the watchmakers that truly deserve it,” he added.
The 2015 Middle East “Watch of the Year” Awards were endorsed by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH for the first time, and sponsored by Audi Corporate and Swiss International Air Lines.
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