Market News

Abu Dhabi GDP is expected to rise by 8 percent in 2011

According to a recent study, Abu Dhabi’s gross domestic product is expected to rise by nearly eight percent in 2011 while investments will surge by 15 percent, nearly half of which will come from the private sector. Growth in the nominal economy will lift the emirate’s GDP per capita income to nearly Dh 201,000 from Dh 198,000 despite a steady rise in the population.

Gold market is expected to grow in 2011 as investors choose gold

Gold traders have forecasted positive sales this year as investor choose gold. The rising gold price will have no negative effect on sales of the precious metals, gold traders in Dubai say. In contrast, people are still eager to invest their money in bullions and jewellery, especially in the UAE where the resale price of gold is comparably cheap as there are no sales taxes imposed and quality is checked by authorities.

UAE Advertisers hopes for better revenue in 2011

The most recent year-end numbers for UAE advertising spending show that though there was higher ad spending during the last quarter, it was not enough to make a decisive impact. UAE advertisers spent $384 million (Dh1.4 billion) during the fourth quarter - a figure not far from the $360 million spent in the third quarter or the $338 million and $349 million in the first and second quarters respectively, according to data from the Pan Arab Research Centre.

Dubai Duty Free hits $1.27 billion sales in 2010

Dubai Duty Free has recorded a Dh4.66 billion ($1.27 billion) sales in 2010, a 14 percent increase over the same period last year. Passenger spending at Dubai Duty Free was rose last year on the back of growing traffic at Dubai International Airport and as passengers avoids fees for excess luggage by means of duty-free purchases. Among the best-selling items for 2010 were perfumes, liquor, gold and watches.

Lindsay Lohan given $25000 diamond heart necklace

Jeweller Pascal Mouawad gave $25,000 heart-shaped diamond necklace to Lindsay Lohan. Mouawad met up with the actress in LA to discuss the possibility of creating a jewellery line with her. Mouawad said Lohan is "really driven with her career right now," but a source close to them told the magazine, "The two have no plans to work together professionally. Lindsay is dear to Pascal's heart, and he thinks she is headed down the right path. He wants to keep her going in that positive direction."

Company News

Chopard partners the End Human Trafficking Forum

Chopard took part to the major international forum, organized by the End Human Trafficking Now! Campaign (EHTN) of the Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement (SMWIPM), the United Nations-led Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT), and the UN Global Compact which was held in the historical Egyptian city of Luxor on 10^th to 12^th December 2010. The trophy for the Business Leader’s Award was created by Chopard.

Breguet holds auction to benefit NY Philharmonic program

A. Lange & Sohne celebrates 165th Anniversary by winning numerous Awards

A. Lange & Sohne celebrated its 165^th anniversary by winning no less than 17 international awards in the course of 2010.  Since the launch of its first collection of watches in modern times 16 years ago, the refined time­pieces from Saxony have scooped more than 150 awards, including almost 100 first prizes. The brand has reaffirmed its position after the recognition it received at different award functions.

Kylie Minogue performs with Piaget jewellery

Famous Australian pop star, Kylie Minogue performed her new single ‘Better Than Today’ on X Factor, ITV wearing PIAGET jewellery. X Factor is a British singing competition contested by aspiring singers who are chosen from public auditions. The competition is judged by a panel of celebrities - Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh. Kylie was seen wearing the following pieces from Limelight, Possession and Miss Protocole collections, during her performance.

Product Launch

Hublot unveils Greengo Bang

To celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the Greengo, the Gstaad Palace and Hublot have teamed up to create a Big Bang in the colours of the club - with a Black Magic base featuring the two famous green and orange colours - in an edition of just 40 pieces (for 40 years), available only from the Gstaad Palace. The Greengo logo takes its place on the dial instead of the index at 8 o'clock or at 40 mins, representing 40 years of legendary parties.

Glashutte Original presents the new PanoMaticCounter XL

PanoMaticCounter XL features three pushers and a clear display with red numbers makes it possible to count and keep track of things from 00 to 99. Behind the matte black, three-dimensional dial is a superb caliber full of tiny mechanical wonders. Its unique feature is the intelligent automatic winding mechanism. The first five PanoMaticCounter XL has been dedicated to our new flagship boutique, located in the Rue du Faubourg Saint Honore, one of Paris’s most fascinating streets.

Romain Jerome introduces the Steampunk

Expressed through polished steel paws, pistons and Roman numerals, design becomes a powerful weapon of conviction in this no-holds-barred model. The entirely dial-free Steampunk is housed within a 50 mm-diameter case providing unobstructed views of the sturdy, rigorously constructed mechanism that naturally commands respect and is held in place by four screwed-down pistons symbolizing the RJ’s signature “X” motif.

Masterpiece Roue Carree Seconde to be launched in Baselworld 2011

Last year, Maurice Lacroix set a cat amongst the pigeons in mechanical watchmaking by developing a square wheel mechanism, the first in watchmaking history. Quite apart from its sheer aesthetic appeal, it introduced a whole new way of marking the passage of time. At Baselworld 2011 Maurice Lacroix will be launching the Roue Carree Seconde. It features the clever square wheels on the dial, one of which acts as the seconds disc.

Stephen Webster's Astro Ball Pendants

Stephen Webster has launched its latest ultimate must-have accessory, the ‘Astro Ball Pendants’. This is an exciting annual collaboration between Stephen Webster and Swarovski. Reflecting each of the Zodiac signs; these dazzlingly glam pendants combine striking jewel colours of yellow topaz, blue sapphire, jet black and violet with intricately detailed gem-set motifs.

Swarovski Watches Collection 2011 to be presented in Baselworld

Swarovski unveils a real surprise piece from its third watch collection, which will be   presented next March at the World Watch and Jewelry Show in Basel. Swarovski has chosen its flagship “Octea Sport” watch from which to develop, with the company's customary precision and legendary perfection, its first piece in faceted ceramic.

Nina Ricci introduces N032: An Exquisite Twist

Nina Ricci has introduced the N032, an exquisite twist watch. It reinvents the torsade motif, demonstrating the infinite modernity of a luxury that is used creatively. The strap leathers of the N032 offer all the variations and different dials multiply the style proposals: classic or fantasy, monochrome, engraved or set with stones, mother-of-pearl, rhodium, champagne, white or diamond powder.

Raid Watch “Service without fail” by S.T.DUPONT

S.T. Dupont has presented the Raid Watch with motto “Service without fail”. Its name refers to the word “raid” which is an acronym for: “Search (Recherche in French), Assistance, Intervention and Dissuasion”. This timepiece features 44 mm, in 316L stainless steel, alternately finished in shiny microblasted polished steel and brushed satin in discreet gunmetal colour, “vacuum carbon” type Screwed down case back engraved with the motto: “Service without fail”.

Caran d’Ache celebrates the 20th anniversary of its Supracolor® pencils

To mark the 20 years of supracolor®, Caran d’Ache has produced an exclusive box containing the 120 original colors. It is decorated with sketches kindly lent by the man TIME magazine voted one of the most influential personalities in the world in 2007: Alber ELBAZ, the Artistic Director of the world’s oldest fashion house. The Caran D’Ache Lanvin Supracolor Pencils are available at Bloomingdale’s.

Catamaran launches Pro 200

Catamaran Pro 200 is available with five difference dials, black, carbon, grey, white and blue. This timepiece features high resistant stainless steel case, Swiss quartz movement 251.272, water resistant to 200M – 20 ATM (660 feet). Display by means of hands, hours, minutes, seconds, 1/10 of seconds, 60 seconds, and 30 minutes chronograph counters, split second, date of 4 o’clock.

Exhibitions & Events

Blancpain in exciting 24H race in Dubai Autodrome

Blancpain President and CEO Mr. Marc Hayek will be participating in the most prestigious 24H race event to be held at Dubai Autodrome on January 14^th and 15^th 2011, in partnership with Reiter Engineering and with Automobil Lamborghini, manufacturer of extreme Italian super sports cars. The 24H Dubai expects a full starting grid with many participating teams.

GJEPC’s IIJS Signature 2011 clocks over 400 exhibitors

In the presence of Shri. Arun Gujarathi, Ex-Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly & Member of Legislative Council, Govt. Of Maharashtra & Mr. Rajiv Jain, Chairman, GJEPC, the Council inaugurated the 4^th IIJS Signature on January 7, 2010 at NSE Grounds, Goregaon. The show organised from 7^th January to 10^th January 2011, aims at exploring newer markets, attracting more buyers & displaying the best, & will undeniably prove to be the design destination of India. Mr. Rajiv Jain, Chairman, GJEPC said, “IIJS Signature 2011 has registered over 400 exhibitors.

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