AWJ Webletter Broadcast Issue No. 201

Market News

New Era for regional jewellery group Mouawad

Fred and Pascal Mouawad take control of the Mouawad fourth generation jewelers and outline new brand direction and growth plans.

Mouawad, the 120 year old jewelry house, today discusses the official handover of the company reins from Robert Mouawad to his sons, Fred and Pascal. The brothers are now the fourth generation family members to lead the business.

Founded in Lebanon in 1890, the company first made its name as jeweler to royal families across the region. Today, the Mouawad brothers take control of a family business; retail interests and manufacturing centers across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East.

In a press conference held in Dubai last Tuesday, co-guardians of the brand unveiled their plans for Mouawad’s evolution.

Next week, Fred and Pascal will be opening the first new Mouawad generation store in Dubai Mall. For 2011, Mouawad has even more ambitious plans, with the opening of three new stores in Beirut, a major refurbishment of their outlets in Riyadh and Jeddah, the diversification of the Mouawad brand into accessories, and launches of new ladies watch and jewellery collections under the Mouwad brand and new name.

Rivoli to consider adding jewellery line

Rivoli is considering the possibility of adding a new line to its already well-stocked portfolio of watches, eyewear, writing instruments and leather accessories. However, a top Rivoli official was quick to point out that a decision to add high-end jewellery line will not be taken in a hurry.

Damas extends payment period to January 2011

Damas International has signed new repayment terms with former chief executive, Abdullah brothers. The repayment period for one tranche of $110 million has been extended from October 31 to January 31, by which time the two parties have to sign a cascade agreement over the liquidation of two other companies - Damas Real Estate and Damas Investments - owned by the brothers.

Company News

James Bond to wear OMEGA in Activision's Blood Stone video game

James Bond will be wearing a Seamaster Planet Ocean in Activision’s Blood Stone new video game. Activision, the distributer of interactive entertainment products, is working with video game developer Bizarre Creations and EON Productions in the creation of JAMES BOND 007™: BLOOD STONE. It features the likeness and voice of Daniel Craig as the world’s favourite secret agent. In the game, which puts players directly in the action, Bond will be wearing an OMEGA Seamaster, as he has done since 1995.

Cartier conducts presentation with Mr. Xavier Gargat

On 2 November, Mr. Xavier Gargat, the Director of the Cartier Paris Atelier of High Jewellery has conducted a unique presentation at Dubai Mall. Mr. Gargat has worked with some of the prominent High Jewellery Maisons on the Place Vendome in Paris, and has been in charge of Cartier's High Jewellery workshops for the last 12 years.

John Hamm and Jerome Lambert hosts Jaeger-LeCoultre celebration

American Actor Jon Hamm and Jerome Lambert, CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre, have hosted two hundred of New York’s fashion and watch aficionados to celebrate the luxury brand’s Grande Complication the Hybris Mechanica, a timepiece containing an astounding total of 55 complications. The evening cocktail was a kick-off to a week-long event taking place at a mid-town mansion the brand has taken over to showcase the pieces.

Blancpain presents tribute to the fifty fathoms

Blancpain inaugurated its exclusive “Tribute to Fifty Fathoms” exhibition within its Boutique on the Place Vendome, Paris. The exhibition was dedicated to the history of the world’s first modern diver’s watch, from 1953 to the present day. This exhibition composed of more than 60 models retraces the history of the Fifty Fathoms. It can be viewed on Place Vendome in Paris until November 2010, before travelling to China and the United States.

Polo Ralph Lauren celebrates the opening newest Women’s store at 888 Madison Avenue

This fall, Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation will unveil its newest flagship store 888 on New York’s famed Madison Avenue. At nearly 22,000 square feet, the space will be the first store to exclusively feature Ralph Lauren’s Women’s and Home collection. At the same time, Polo Ralph Lauren will mark the renovation and repositioning of the historic Rhinelander Mansion as Men’s Flagship 867.

Leighton Meester wears Van Cleef & Arpels jewels at the Fashion Group International Black Tie Dinner

Actress Leighton Meester wore vintage jewels of Van Cleef & Arpels at the Fashion Group International Black Tie Dinner held at Cipriani in New York City. Ms. Meester complemented her Giambattista Valli dress with a transformable Estate parure containing chrysoprase and coral set in yellow gold from the Maison’s 1970s archive collection. The set comprised of a necklace/pendant, bracelet, earrings and a clip by Van Cleef & Arpels.

EBEL receives 2010 Swiss Watch Campaign Prize

In a ceremony held in Geneva by Montres Passion, EBEL was awarded the 2010 Swiss Watch Campaign Prize. In explaining the reasons for its choice, the Jury composed of leading communication and media professionals noted the aesthetic quality, the innovation, the effective highlighting of the product and the sense of identity achieved by EBEL in conveying its core values. Marc Michel-amadry, EBEL President and creative Director received the price.

Parmigiani Fleurier presents the world's first mechanical clock based on the Hegirian calendar

Parmigiani Fleurier presented the global premier of a new innovation in the world of haute horlogerie. The brand created a world first mechanical clock based on the Hegirian calendar Hegirian - or the Islamic Hijri - way. The prototype clock was unveiled at Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi on 2 November by Parmigiani’s top officials in the presence of Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb Al Muhairy, Director General, National Council of Tourism and Antiquities.

Product Launch

Harry Winston launches new advertising campaign

Harry Winston, Inc. has created a new print advertising campaign. The Live the Moment campaign is designed to celebrate the personal meaningful moments of clients’ lives, while capturing the joyful sophistication and timeless glamour of diamonds through a contemporary lens. The advertising campaign composes of three different ads, featuring model Freja Beha.

Jaquet Droz presents Grande Seconde SW Red Gold

Jaquet Droz unveiled the Grande Seconde SW Red Gold. This new watch combines technical performance and ultimate elegance of design – red and black interact for dynamic visual impact. Featuring a mechanical self-winding double-barrel movement and an 18-carat white gold sport oscillating weight, the Grande Seconde SW Red Gold is water resistant to 5 bars (50 meters).

Bvlgari celebrates B.zero1

B.zero1 made its worldwide debut at the start of the new millennium and immediately enjoyed an extraordinary success. B.zero1 combines two classic Bvlgari icons: Tubogas, the beloved collection from the early ‘70s, and the famous BVLGARI BVLGARI double logo. Another innovation of the 2010 collection is the unexpected combination of pink gold and ceramic.

Dior presents the Chiffre Rouge T01

The Chiffre Rouge T01 is fitted with the “Dior 8 Fuseaux Horaires” caliber, which was developed by Orny and Girardin exclusively for Dior. The timepiece enables three pieces of information to be read off simultaneously on the same index: local time, the time in eight cities around the world and day/night. The watch’s complication offers a mobile and graphical adornment that change with the passage of time on a “cotton pique” dial, a tribute to one of Dior Homme’s favorite materials. This is limited edition of 100 timepieces.

PERRELET unveils the Turbine XL

The new TURBINE XL is presented on 50mm diameter case. Four grooves rise up the side of the middle case as if cupping the (Diamond Light Coating) DCL-treated steel bezel. In order to ensure the optimum maintenance of the natural rubber bracelet, a central support has been added between the horns, perfecting the model’s aesthetic finish. The sapphire caseback and the different material combinations ensure the seamless continuity of the collection.

Exhibitions & Events

Stephen Webster Cocktail Party

On October 19, 2010 Stephen Webster hosted a cocktail party at The Empire Restaurant at the Monarch Hotel in Dubai, where over 100 top clientele were treated to a personal rendezvous with the renowned British jewellery designer, and viewed Stephen’s latest Fine and Silver Jewellery Collections, together with his Astro Ball pendants and his latest Couture collection - the “Seven Deadly Sins” cocktail rings. A highlight of the night was Stephen’s DJ set, where he wowed the crowd with his musical talent.

Calendar of Events

Van Cleef & Arpels and the Festival Colbert
October 29 to November 7, 2010
Dubai Mall

Montegrappa and Alfa Romeo (Jean Alesi to celebrate 100 years of Alfa Romeo)
10 November
Alfa Romeo Showroom Gargash Motors, Sheikh Sayed Road, Dubai

Bloomingdale’s Festive 2010 Window
11 November 2010
Bloomingdale’s Main Store, TDM

YSL Menswear Event
22 November 2010
DIFC (TBC)

Damiani event
28 November 2010
Damiani, Dubai Mall

H Stern Grupo Corpo collection launch
29 November 2010
Royal Mirage

Bvlgari High Jewellery event
30 November 2010
Bushido, Bahrain

Bvlgari Watches event
7 December 2010
Burj Khalifa (TBC), Dubai

Bvlgari Watches event
9 December
Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

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