Market Report

Gc announces four personalities as the UAE representatives for Smart Luxury

Gc has announced the names of the four UAE residents who have been chosen as the quintessential representatives of Gc and its “Smart Luxury” signature. The four individuals form part of a larger international campaign called “Moments of Smart Luxury captured by Gc” which is a worldwide photographic concept that was unveiled at Baselworld 2011. The four chosen individuals were honored at a special event on October 11^th 2011 in Dubai and they are: Omar Khoori, 24 year old Emirati equestrian and show jumper, Athari Khalfan Obaid Khalfan, 27 year old Emirati painter, Shayma Ahmed Al Mughairy, 17 year old Omani sand artist, and Rhoda Oghly, 28 year old Syrian-Canadian sketch artist.

Market News

UAE Gold trade reaches 600 tons

According to recent reports, the UAE gold trade has reached 600 tons with almost 18 percent of world gold trade in 2010. This trading amount represents the gold consumption in the UAE as well as the exported quantities.

Chaumet and Les Journees Particulieres

As part of les Journees Particulieres, LVMH, the Maison Chaumet unveil to the public its Salons Historiques 12, place Vendome and present a patrimony and a unique High Jewellery know-how of 230 years on October 15 and 16, 2011. House guests discover, in the Hotel Particulier of Baudart de Saint-James, the Grand Salon, 18^th Century classified, the Salon des Diademes and its historical Tiaras recounting more than 2 centuries of excellence. The steps of a tiara making and the secret of know-how reveal in the Salon des Perles. Guided tours and meetings held by Beatrice de Plinval, Chaumet museum curator, in charge of the Heritage, and Pascal Bourdariat, headmaster of the Chaumet workshop.

CEO of Luxury Brand DeLaneau leaves the company

After over a decade working at DeLaneau and leading the company as its CEO since 2007, Mrs. Cristina Thevenaz-Wendt and DeLaneau have decided to part ways. The brand extended their sincere thanks to Mrs. Cristina Thevenaz-Wendt for her devotion to DeLaneau and wish her the very best in her future endeavors. DeLaneau will announce shortly its upcoming projects for 2012, which already now promise to be very exciting. The notice on the official appointment of a new CEO shall follow.

Company News

Vacheron Constantin celebrates Grand Opening of first ever US Boutique

Vacheron Constantin celebrated the grand opening of its first ever boutique in the United States, located in New York City. This is the brand’s 28^th boutique worldwide. Juan Carlos Torres, CEO of Vacheron Constantin and Hugues de Pins, President of Vacheron Constantin North America, commemorated the grand opening by hosting a series of intimate black tie dinners featuring world-class chefs: Chef Eric Ripert, Chef Thomas Keller and Chef Sergi Arola. Three exclusive models are being introduced to celebrate the boutique opening: the Overseas Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Boutique New York, the Historiques American 1921 Boutique New York, and the Patrimony Traditionnelle calibre 2755 Boutique New York.

Official presentation of the “Hommage a Anticythere” Hublot movement

On 10 October 2011, Hublot held the official presentation of the “Hommage a Anticythere” which took place at the Musee des Arts et Metiers in Paris. This marked the World Premiere of the movement  along with an exhibit of the replica of the remains of the Antikythera find, and a 3D documentary film. Sensing a true challenge, HUBLOT and Mathias Buttet sought to create a tribute to the ancient yet innovative mechanism, not by duplicating it, but a World Premiere  by miniaturizing for integration into a watch movement: Anticythere by Hublot was born.

A. Lange & Sohne record Sales at Sotheby's "Important Watches" auction

A. Lange & Sohne encountered three record sales at Sotheby’s “Important Watches” auction, held on 6 October in Hong Kong. A rare set of two limited edition GRAND LANGE 1 “Luna Mundi” wristwatches reached a hammer price of 980,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 93,750 Euros), more than twice the origi­nal price. At the same auction, a limited edition 1815 MOON­PHASE “Homage to F. A. Lange” in honey coloured gold – a new gold alloy of remarkable hardness  was sold for 275,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 26,300 Euros), representing a 45 percent increase in value. Finally, a LANGE ZEITWERK in white gold fetched 680,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 65,000 Euros), representing al­most a 40 percent increase in value.

Bulgari to sponsor the third edition of Abu Dhabi Art

Bulgari is proud to announce its first partnership with Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), as the sponsor of the VIP programme and Majilis - the VIP venue of Abu Dhabi Art, the region’s major contemporary and modern art event.  This year, Abu Dhabi Art will be held on Saadiyat Island within the UAE National Pavilion, which was designed by Foster + Partners for the Shaghai World Expo 2010. Bulgari has also commissioned award-winning architect Zaha Hadid to design a 100m² installation in Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island's exhibition centre, to be revealed on the preview day to VIP guests. This installation will showcase 27 vintage jewels from Bulgari’s private collection, dating between 1930 and 2000.

Blancpain Endurance Series – Silverstone

The nr40 Marc VDS Racing Team BMW Z4 of Bas Leinders, Markus Palttala and Maxime Martin was the strongest car in the 3-hour race at Silverstone, with Martin taking the chequered flag to claim the second win of the season. The victory gave Markus Palttala enough point to claim the Vice Champions position behind Greg Franchi as 5th place for the nr33 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audi R8 was enough to confirm the Belgian driver as the 2011 Blancpain Endurance Series Pro Cup Champion.

Antonio Calce is a new shareholder of Corum

Antonio Calce, CEO of Corum, has personally become a shareholder of Montres Corum SARL. This is an important milestone in the implementation of the new Corum strategy which started in 2005 for the redevelopment of the brand. This illustrates the long-term oriented vision and commitment of Antonio Calce together with the Severin Wunderman Trust, to achieve the objectives of growth in partnership with the distributors of the brand. Antonio Calce, CEO of Corum declared: “This is a process that started a long time ago and is just another step to my commitment to the Corum brand. I trust in the brand and its ability to push itself to the highest level in the watch making industry.”

Montegrappa’s “Premio Anacapri Penna d’Autore” awarded to Marino Bartoletti

A sparkle: the Montegrappa pen for the 150th anniversary of Italian Unification. The Bassano-based company is main sponsor of the event. During the evening, cameras from Uno Mattina and TG3 filmed the evening’s event, which also included the presentation of the “Premio Anacapri Penna d’Autore” award for distinguished writing to RAI journalist, Marino Bartoletti. The important award was given by Giuseppe Aquila, Montegrappa’s Chief Executive Officer, who gave the famous reporter a pen from the exclusive collection made by the Bassano firm to celebrate Italy’s anniversary. A finely crafted antique pen, ready for new courses, new navigations, new landings. A jewel with a thousand words in the heart for slow, musical writing.

Product Launch

Chopard celebrates the Worldwide Premiere of the Happy Mickey Collection

Caroline Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard hosted a truly magical event at the Electric Cinema in Notting Hill, London to unveil the new Happy Mickey Collection, the first collaboration between Chopard and Disney. Guests, who included parents and their kids, enjoyed a special Disney animation screening of Mickey Mouse vintage black and white cartoon shorts in the cinema, to re-discover the legend of the renowned mouse. Among them were: Alexa Chung, Eva Herzigova and her son George, Camilla Rutherford, Donna Air and Jemma Kidd. The Happy Mickey Collection offers a broad range of fresh and colourful creations such as necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets and the iconic Happy Sport watches crafted in white or rose gold.

Hermes presents the Arceau Le Temps Suspendu Watch

Hermes has presented a new dream complication that tames time in order to make it intensely personal. The Hermes Arceau watch, originally created in 1978 by Henri d’Origny, is equipped with a new module developed in cooperation with Agenhor, Geneva, and its founder Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, a grand specialist of retrograde time indications. Simply pressing the pusher at 9 o’clock brings the hour and minute hands to a halt at around noon, while entirely concealing the date hand. Time is thus suspended or rather its display, since the mechanism itself continues keeping track of standard time, like an orchestra playing backstage while the protagonists of a play remain motionless.

Bell & Ross offers Vintage PW1 & WW1

Bell & Ross pays homage to the history of military timepieces by presenting a pocket watch – the PW1 and its wrist watch version – the Vintage WW1. The Vintage PW1 and Vintage WW1 models stand out as reincarnations of the past that reflect the present. The large PW1 fob watch is attached to a long chain. Its immaculate finish and "barleycorn" guilloche caseback enhance its allure. This collector’s item is intended only for true purists who will appreciate its manual winding movement. While the WW1 with its classic design is available in three movements: a version with power reserve indicator (WW1 - 97), a large date version (WW1 - 96) and a version with large date and power reserve indicator (WW1 - 90). Each model comes with an alligator strap and steel pin buckle that set off their timeless elegance.

Carl F. Bucherer launches Manero CentralChrono

With the Manero CentralChrono, Carl F. Bucherer presents a chronograph that sets new design trends. The special appeal of the Manero CentralChrono lies in its chronograph indication, used for the first time in this way at Carl F. Bucherer: the minutes indication, from the center outwards by means of hands, expertly setting the Manero CentralChrono apart from other chronographs, and providing the wearer with a full view of this complication at a glance. Another attractive feature is the clear design of the dial, with the small seconds indication at 3 o’clock, a 24 hours indication at 9 o’clock and the date indication at 6 o’clock. At the heart of the Manero CentralChrono ticks the CFB 1967 automatic caliber.

Olivia Palermo presents the new Carrera Y Carrera collection

Carrera y Carrera unveils Mediterraneo, a fresh, youthful, and innovative collection that tells of the legends of goddesses and nymphs who have dwelt in this tranquil sea through the exquisite craftsmanship of its pieces in yellow gold, white gold, and diamonds. Each one of the spectacular pieces in this collection suggests unforgettable moments in which the splendor of the sun and its sunsets recall waters laden with myths and legends, goddesses and nymphs. Olivia Palermo has become the face of the Mediterraneo collection, marking this fabulous experience as one of the great moments of her life. Mediterraneo collection is available at the monobrand boutique in Mall of the Emirates and at selected Damas Les Exclusive Boutiques throughout the UAE.

Timex Intelligent Quartz™ Technology collection

Timex launches Intelligent Quartz™ technology, a revolutionary new proprietary movement. The Intelligent Quartz technology platform encompasses independent motors, digital sensors and microprocessor technology making it incredibly flexible and capable of displaying an array of information. The pinnacle style is the Timex Traveller Series™ World Time collection. Designed for seasoned travellers and watch connoisseurs alike, the proprietary movement utilizes microprocessors to simultaneously display the time in twenty-four cities around the world. The elegant globe on the dial, vintage-inspired font of the indices and curved hands are the defining design motifs of this spectacular timepiece.

Romain Jerome unveils the MoonFighter Pen

RJ-Romain Jerome has created the MoonFighter pen: a writing instrument that is mid-way between Back to the Future and Space Invaders, and which reinterprets space mythology and a taste for fun. This unique pen with its impeccably sleek profile and smooth curves is entirely made in Switzerland, although it looks as if it has just emerged from a NASA lab or from the desk of Major Boothroyd, the iconoclastic inventor of the James Bond accessories. Nonetheless, the sheer purity and simplicity of the design also evoke the golden age of aeronautics, the glorious era of the first Paris-New York flights, spiced up with a dash of Art Deco style. This tribute to third millennium design is a compendium of aesthetic appeal featuring an extremely playful DNA, enriched by the finest expression of the expertise cultivated by RJ-Romain Jerome in the domain of fusing materials.

Exhibitions & Events

19th Edition of International Jewellery and Watch Show (JWS) 2011

The 19^th International Jewellery & Watch Show Abu Dhabi (JWS), a unique exhibition with an extensive showcase of exquisite jewellery and timepieces from all over the world is set to take place tomorrow October 17 to 21, 2011 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. JWS Abu Dhabi is organized by Reed Exhibitions, a part of Reed Jewellery Group, and complements one of the most prestigious jewellery shows in the world. Exhibitors represented at the event include those from Brazil, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and USA. This year, around 10,000 visitors expected to attend the event.

First Ever International Colored Gemstone Mines to Market Conference to be organized by GJEPC

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India (GJEPC) will be organizing the first ever International Colored Gemstone Mines to Market Conference on the 2 ^nd & 3^rd of November 2011 in Jaipur. The two day conference will witness experts from various countries assemble here and discuss the various aspects involved in global colored Gemstone trade. Based on Council’s existing initiative of International Diamond Conference held last year, Mines to Market for Colored Gemstone aims at reinforcing India’s position as the global hub for colored Gemstones. In an attempt to balance the ambience of seminars & conferences, GJEPC plans to host three nights of culture & cuisine backed with classical music, folk & fusion band & sound & light show from Jaipur giving the event a true Indian touch.

EPHJ-EPMT-SMT International Fair

The 2012 edition of the annual international Show EPHJ (Watchmaking and Jewellery Professional Environment) - EPMT (Microtechnology Professional Environment) - SMT (Swiss Medical Technologies) will be held at Palexpo Geneva from 5 to 8 June 2012. 500 exhibitors have already confirmed their presence in 2012, which is 8 months prior to the Show. This represents 87 percent of the total number of the exhibitors in 2011. In addition, many new exhibitors are interested in the Show. The organizer can therefore reasonably expect to meet or exceed the 600-exhibitors mark in 2012. EPHJ-EPMT exists now for 10 years and just wants to continue to offer its exhibitors and visitors the best possible platform to grow their business and highlight their know-how.

Celebrity News

Sonam Kapoor unveils the new Logo for the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has recently unveiled their new corporate Identity in the presence of Bollywood Diva Sonam Kapoor, the brand ambassador for GJEPC, and Mr. Rajiv Jain, Chairman, GJEPC. The new logo is a symbol of the progress that the Indian gem & jewellery industry which the organization represents, is making in the international domain as a provider of world class jewellery designs and establishing Brand India as a jewellery design destination. The new logo also defines the new face of the Indian jewellery market to the rest of the world - contemporary, stylish and full of promise living up to expectations of performance and growth.

Saif Ali Khan receives the Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the Actor Award at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival

Jaeger-LeCoultre takes great pride in awarding the inaugural Glory to the Actor Award at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, to celebrated Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, in recognition of his achievements as an actor/producer and his efforts in the developments of the Bollywood film industry. The award ceremony took take place on 14 October 2011, during the Abu Dhabi Film Festival at the Abu Dhabi Theater on the Corniche. The ceremony preceded the festival’s gala screening of The Ides of March, a new film by George Clooney, starring Paul Giamatti, Ryan Gossling and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Yasmin Le Bon rocks David Morris’s tassel necklace

Yasmin Le Bon worked the rock-chic look to dazzling effect as she arrived with her Duran Duran lead singer husband, Simon Le Bon, at the recent GQ ‘Men Of The Year’ awards in London. The supermodel teamed her stylish tux with a statement pendant from David Morris’s diamond tassel necklace collection. The jewel is a platinum rose-cut diamond necklace with diamond micro-surround setting and pear-shape and oval white diamond pendant. Total diamond weight 57.64 carats.

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