Richemont posts weak results; Damas sets its eyes on a Saudi sparkle; Blancpain officially unveils their newest flagship boutique in Hong Kong

Interviews

Exclusive interview with Mr. Saul Goldberg, President of William Goldberg By Arabian Watches and Jewellery Magazine.

Could you please briefly describe the profile of William Goldberg to our readers?

William Goldberg is one of the most distinguished diamond jewelry houses in the world. Founded more than a half century ago by my father, the legendary master diamond cutter William Goldberg, our company today is managed by myself, Mr. Goldberg’s daughter, Eve, son-in-law, Barry Berg and grandson, Benjamin Goldberg.

Over the years, William Goldberg has shaped some of history’s most famous diamonds, including the 137-carat D Flawless Premier Rose and 102-carat D Flawless Beluga.

The signature ASHOKA® diamond cut by William Goldberg is favored by elite women with exceptional style worldwide.

When William Goldberg Diamond entered the Middle East Market?

Over forty years ago, we were selling very important diamonds to clients in Saudi Arabia. We have continued to do important business with clients in the Middle East, Asia and throughout Europe in cities like Monaco, Geneva, Zurich and London. We now sell exclusively at ISTANA in the UAE who has stores in The Dubai Mall and Four Seasons Resort Dubai.

How important is it as a regional retail market for William Goldberg rare jewelry pieces?

The regional retail market is very important for our company. For many years, we exhibited at the Basel Jewelry Fair in Switzerland where we met many important clients from the region (Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar). With so much in demand, we continued to create important diamond jewelry collections designed specifically for the Middle Eastern market.

William Goldberg jewelry is available at Istana Jewellers in Dubai, How is the brand faring in the UAE until now?

The brand is getting a lot of attention and recognition. This is just the start of our relationship with Istana Jewellers that we hope will grow and build for a long time.

Are you planning to expand your network in the region in the near future?

Yes, we are looking to partner with more fine jewelry boutiques in this region where we can showcase our beautiful diamond jewelry collections.

How distinctive is the Ashoka diamond cut to diamond enthusiasts in the region?

The ASHOKA® diamond cut has gained worldwide recognition and is a well-known brand in this region. Clients ask to see more and more jewelry collections using our exclusive diamond cut. Its beauty and uniqueness separate it from the more traditional diamond cuts.

Do you do bespoke pieces for clients in the region?

We will always do special and one-of-a-kind bespoke pieces for clients on request. Our designers continue to create magnificent diamond jewelry for our clients all over the world. We regularly post beautiful images on both our William Goldberg (@williamgoldbergdiamonds) Instagram and Facebook accounts, as well as our ASHOKA® diamond (@ashokadiamond) accounts.

Market News

Richemont posts weak results

Richemont posts its full year results for the year to March 31, 2016. The numbers were lacklustre, sending Richemont’s shares down as much as 5.6 percent.

Operating profit fell 23 percent, worse than analysts’ predictions. Sales were flat globally, with similar numbers in the Americas and Middle East.

The watch business performed notably poorly, with sales falling by eight percent. Operating profit fell 29 percent. Watchmaking was also hit by one-off charges, likely relating to layoffs. In contrast, jewellery and leather goods sales grew eight and nine percent respectively

Damas sets its eyes on a Saudi sparkle

Damas has set its eyes on a Saudi sparkle through an ambitious expansion of its store network in the kingdom. This, the company believes, will deliver higher sales growth and more than compensate for the slowing down the sector has been facing in the UAE. Damas

Company News

Blancpain, officially unveils their newest flagship boutique in Hong Kong

Blancpain, officially revels their newest flagship boutique located in the heart of Central. The event kicked off with a festive ribbon cutting ceremony and lion dance, followed by a cocktail session in the store. The ceremony included Blancpain’s VP & Head of Marketing Mr. Alain Delamuraz, VP & Head of Sales Mr. Marc Junod, and Blancpain VP Hong Kong & Macau Mr. Jalil Elkouch-Bordier, all of whom were on-hand to officiate the proceedings.

Jaeger-LeCoultre at British Polo Day UAE

British Polo Day returned to its birthplace in the UAE for the first of its 2016 events. Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai played host to some guests and VIPs including Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, HH Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, Mr Mohammed Al Habtoor, Ms Pooya Ahmadi, Mr Hossam Alsaady, Mr Amr Zedan, Dr & Mrs Hitesh and Minal Bodani, Hossam Alsaady, Mr Amr Zedan, Dr & Mrs Steven and Gillie Lamprell, Princess Alexandra Cantacuzene and Marc de Panafieu, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s brand director Middle East, India, Turkey & Greece, came together to celebrate the best of UAE and British tradition.

Tiffany & Co. opens their new boutique in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Tiffany & Co. announces the opening of its Third Boutique collaboration with our partner Mohammed Othman Al Moallim Company in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Boulevard, the new boutique celebrates Tiffany’s exquisite design heritage reflected in the jeweler’s store environments throughout the world.

Montblanc’s Patron of Art Edition 2016 pays tribute to Peggy Guggenheim

Montblanc’s Patron of Art Edition 2016 pays tribute to the outstanding legacy of one of the most influential art collectors and exhibitors of 20th century art, Peggy Guggenheim, who dedicated most of her life to protecting the art of her time by discovering and nurturing new talent, while building an important collection of works housed today in a Venice museum that still carries her name.

SNYPER Geneve supports the AS Monaco football club

Serge Aebischer, CEO of SNYPER Genève, offered twenty watches to the Vice-President of AS Monaco, Vadim Vasilyev, as part of the recent partnership between the two entities. Since a few months, SNYPER has become the new official watchmaker and supplier of the club. Launched during Baselworld in last March, the brand will produce a limited edition (100 pieces) of its SNYPER Two model, featuring the official AS Monaco logo on the dial.

Product Launch

Chaumet selects Majestic Jewelry for the Holy Month of Ramadan

Chaumet presents Josephine, Lumieres D’eau and Liens for the Holy Month of Ramadan. Josephine Aube Printaniere ring in platinum, diamonds, centre pear-shaped diamond. Lumieres D’eau - Earrings in white gold, set with diamonds, sapphires, aquamarines and two emerald-cut aquamarines. Liens - Ring Liens Croisés in platinum with diamonds, and a brilliant-cut centre diamond.

Chopard presents Red Carpet Collection 2016

The Red Carpet Collection is unveiled each year at the Cannes Film Festival. The 2016 collection sets the stage for flowing, supple, open worked designs based on rounded shapes. The Red Carpet Collection Necklace is of white and yellow gold set with pear-shaped fancy yellow diamonds, pear-shaped white diamonds and white and yellow brilliant-cut diamonds. Earrings is of white and yellow gold set with pear-shaped fancy yellow diamonds, pear-shaped white diamonds and white and yellow brilliant-cut diamonds.

KERBEDANZ unveils Polvs Arcticus

The Polvs Arcticus is powered by a double tourbillon GMT caliber. The beauty of the finishing, particularly the beveling and the different polishes can be admired through the sapphire crystal at the back of the pure white-gold, 50 millimeter case. On the dial, the decorations and finishing includes motifs related to seafaring. One can make out the subtle contours of a navigation compass of an ancient galleon. Alligator mississipiensis leather double folding clasp with KERBEDANZ personalization in gold.

D1 Milano introduces Neon collection

D1 Milano presents its Neon collection to the region, designed with elements of neon colour for the perfect hint of edge to go with any fashion style. Available in four shades, including red, green, blue and rose gold, the collection has been designed for life’s achievers, who believe that nothing is impossible and that a pop of colour can only be a good thing! As with the rest of D1 Milano’s high-viz yet chic collections, the Neon collection is made of polycarbon polymer.

Mouawad Bridal Collection celebrates life’s key moments

Mouawad’s fast-selling diamond Bridal Collection, is shining brighter than ever. Especially designed for unique brides, the collection offers a variety of styles and cuts that encapsulate the traditional elegance of diamond wedding jewellery within variations of contemporary engagement rings, wedding bands, solitaire pendants, earrings and tennis bracelets. The white gold pieces are artistically worked to create stunning settings for the diamond. Classic motifs of flowers, petals, hearts and teardrops are united in designs.

RAYMOND WEIL introduces new freelancer Skeleton

RAYMOND WEIL presents its first skeleton watch. Sleek and stylish, 42mm freelancer Skeleton. Black all over, it alternates between see-through components and sophisticated rose gold details which catch the light. The wide aperture on the black galvanic dial offers a view on the heart of the automatic winding mechanism featuring a 38-hour power reserve. The strap is of leather and stainless steel folding clasp with black PVD coating and double push-security system.

U-BOAT presents Classico GMT

Italo decided to apply, under the thick and scratch-proof sapphire glass of the new Classico GMT, a thin layer of Anatolite, the most effective existing color-change gem, this 30ct special stone acquires different colors when viewed under different lights. The ability to change a variety of colors under different light sources allows the dial of the watch to change from amber yellow to green and vice versa. The 45mm diameter stainless steel case is with satin finish, Furthermore the Bezel ring is in polished tungsten, the strongest of natural metals and often used in electrical and military applications.

Ulysse Nardin unveils FreakWing

Ulysse Nardin is flying the team's colors high with the new FreakWing with the Artemis Racing team in the America's Cup. Ulysse Nardin has adorned its new FreakWing with the most emblematic features of this high-tech catamaran: the upper bridge for the minutes is inspired by the internal structure of the rigid sail, while the texture of the rotating hours disc evokes the mesh net of the multihull. The bezel and case back are forged from carbon fiber. Strap is of black leather with carbon fiber motif.

Exhibitions & Events

Dubai Watch Week announces the theme and venues for its second edition

Under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and organised by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, Dubai Watch Week (DWW) the only education and cultural horology-dedicated event unveils the theme and the venues for the 2016 edition. The region’s only dedicated event to horology, will take place in two locations this year: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and The Dubai Mall. The programmes held at DIFC will take place from November 15thto 19th, 2016.The Dubai Mall will play a major part in Dubai Watch Week -lending home to three massive elements; HH Academy & Certification, ‘Masters of Time’ exhibition and ‘Life of a Swiss Cuckoo Clock’ exhibition from mid-November to early December 2016.

Celebrity News

Hailey Rhode Baldwin wore Butani and Noudar to the 'Manus x Machina

Hailey Rhode Baldwin wore Butani diamond earrings and Noudar diamond rings to the 'Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology' Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Celebrities shine in CHANEL to the 2016 Costume Institute Benefit Gala in New York

Lily-Rose DEPP, wore CHANEL Fine Jewelry: “Étoile Filante” earrings, bracelet and pendant, "Comète Spirale" earcuff all in white gold and diamonds and "Coco Crush" ring in yellow gold. Willow SMITH, wore CHANEL Fine Jewelry: "Cosmique" and "Ultra" rings in white gold, diamonds and black or white ceramic. Jemima KIRKE wore CHANEL Fine Jewelry: "Coco Crush" rings in yellow gold.

Cheryl Cole shines in de GRISOGONO jewelry

Cheryl Cole looks stunning in her fancy colored dress which she adorned with exquisite INDIA pink gold with opals and white diamonds bracelet, ring and earrings.

Sam Heughan wears the Piaget to the premiere of Outlander Season 2 in New York City.

Sam Heughan wore the the ultra-thin Piaget Altiplano 38mm in white gold to the premiere of Outlander Season 2 in New York City.

Candace Cameron-Bure wears Yoko London and Hearts on Fire to the 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards

Candace Cameron-Bure wore Yoko London diamond and pearl earrings and Hearts on Fire diamond rings to the 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

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