Market Report

Chopard’s Classic Racing collection unveiled at the Dubai Mall

Chopard showcases the latest Classic Racing collection during its 11-day exhibition at The Dubai Mall Atrium started from October 23 till November 2, 2013. The Classic Racing collection is being showcased at the mall alongside some limited pieces. This includes 2013 novelties from Mille Miglia; Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, a series of exceptional chronographs that are tributes to the skills of winning drivers in the said race; Superfast, the superlative sports watch collection; and Jacky Ickx that honours one of the 20th century's greatest racing drivers.

Market News

Swiss Watch Exports up by 8.5% with Bahrain 126% and Kuwait 46.1%

According to the Federation of Swiss ?Watch Industry, the Swiss Watch exports grew by 8.5% year on year to $2.1 billion (CHF 1.9 billion) in September 2013. The increase in exports of steel, platinum and gold watches impacted the rise in exports in value terms during the month.

Exports of wristwatches rose 8.3% to $1.982 billion, while the number of units shipped fell by 4.3%. Exports to the Kingdom of Bahrain rose by 126%, Kuwait 46.1%. KSA 7.0% and UAE 7.2%.

Exports to Hong Kong rose 10% to $406.2 million, while exports to the U.S. grew 17% to $229.5 million. Exports to China continued to lose ground and fell 3% to $139.8 million.

Jaeger-LeCoultre hosts the opening night of the seventh Abu Dhabi Film Festival

Abu Dhabi played host to film stars and other leading lights of the international film world last week. Jaeger-LeCoultre presented acclaimed US actor Forest Whitaker with a Black Pearl Career Achievement award for his outstanding contribution to the art of cinema. Whitaker has won 23 major acting awards.

Company News

Ahmed Siddiqi and Sons hosts the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève exhibition in Dubai

His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority inaugurated last week the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), in Dubai. The exhibition displayed 69 watches shortlisted from more than 200 nominees, vying for the top spot in 10 categories including innovative and complicated watches. This marks the GPHG exhibition’s first time in the Middle East as part of its international tour. Mr. Abdul Hamied Seddiqi, Vice-Chairman of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, and jury member at the 2011 GPHG awards commented, “this exhibition is a milestone for the watch industry of the Middle East and serves as a reminder of the growing importance of Dubai as a pivotal tour de force within the region. To have the GPHG in Dubai is a great honor and a positive sign of great things to come.

Cartier opens its newest boutique at the Galleria in Abu Dhabi

Cartier inaugurates the grand opening of its Boutique at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. The unveiling of Cartier’s boutique was celebrated with an opening ceremony officiated by Mr. Laurent Gaborit, Regional Managing Director of Cartier Middle East, India & Africa.

Van Cleef & Arpels opens a new boutique at the Galleria, Al Maryah Island

Van Cleef & Arpels unveils its second boutique in Abu Dhabi’s latest luxury lifestyle destination. The 200sqm boutique evokes French elegance in a soft and warm atmosphere. A light beige and plumb color palette lend a relaxed feel whereas dark green fabric panels give an individual touch.

Boucheron hosts Hiroshi Sugimoto's works at Paris

Boucheron celebrated Hiroshi Sugimoto's works of art during its opening exhibit in its historical flagship at 26 Place Vendome recently. Amongst the guests were Francois-Henri Pinault and his wife Salma Hayek-Pinault, Pierre Bouissou and the artist himself. Taken from the Revolution series, these black and white seascapes of imposing size are the product of the artist’s deep meditation on water, air and light. This brings the Maison and Hiroshi Sugimoto together in this “Art of Light”.

Faberge reveals its London taxis livery this autumn

Faberge unveils its London taxi livery this autumn. Quintessential London taxis, featuring special Fabergé branding, will be in circulation for the next 12 months around the Knightsbridge and West End areas of the capital. The branded vehicles will initially showcase the opulent colours and designs of the striking gem-set Emotion rings by Fabergé.

Hublot announces partnership with Shawn ‘Jay Z’ Carter

Hublot and Shawn “JAY Z” Carter have joined together in a creative collaboration resulting in two stunning timepieces as part of the newly unveiled, Shawn Carter Collection (Official launch at Barneys New York on 20TH November, 2013). The limited edition collection will be available exclusively at Barneys New York and at select Hublot around the world beginning November 20th. The Shawn Carter by Hublot 45mm timepieces, both on black alligator straps, fall on the high end of the Barneys collaboration, with a yellow gold timepiece and a black ceramic version. Carter elevated his Hublot collaboration by singling it out to continue beyond “A New York Holiday” which will run from November 20th through January 3rd.

Montblanc unveils its Madison Avenue boutique in New York City

Montblanc reveals its new Madison Avenue boutique located in the New York City. The new boutique shows the very latest collections of exquisite timepieces. The contemporary 3,200 square foot store as a Swarovski crystal curved glass floating chandeliers. The interior of the store reflects Montblanc’s heritage.

Scott Dixon and Louis Moinet - A winning team

Scott Dixon, with Louis Moinet jointly created the Scott Dixon chronograph, have won the third IndyCar Series Championship after Dixon finished 5th in the last race of the season in Fontana, California recently. Series champion in both 2003 and 2008, Scott heroically clawed back a 49-point deficit in the penultimate race of the season, the Houston Grand Prix double header, to leapfrog his rivals in the standings. In every race, Scott wears his ‘Scott Dixon’ two-pusher, automatic chronograph created in partnership with Louis Moinet.

Product Launch

Mouawad’s latest exclusive Lingerie set for Victoria’s Secret

Victoria’s Secret announced today that the $10 million Royal Fantasy Bra and Belt designed exclusively by Mouawad will be worn by Victoria’s Secret Angel Candice Swanepoel.

Vacheron Constantin presents Patrimony Contemporaine model

Vacheron Constantin introduces the dainty Patrimony Contemporaine small white gold model. Its 36 mm-diameter case is lit up by a bezel set with 68 round-cut diamonds, while the original full-set minute circle becomes a stylistic element that makes this watch resolutely on-trend. The streamlined applied gold hour-markers and the slender hours and minutes hands are curved to follow the outer curve of the dial. The urban elegance of this model is complemented by the white gold bracelet composed of smoothly interlocking links ensuring a comfortable fit on the wrist.

OMEGA presents Seamaster Bullhead Chronograph

OMEGA has reissued a limited-edition version of the iconic chronograph. The Bullhead’s shield-shaped brushed and polished case, the inner revolving bezel and the unusual placement of its chronograph pushers and crowns. The pushers on the new Seamaster Bullhead are still mounted at the top, of course, but the round pushers on the original watch have been replaced with flat ones. The new Bullhead is powered by an automatic Co-Axial calibre 3113. The new Bullhead’s dial design captures the strength of the original, with its distinctive inner bezel. The white dial is visible through a sapphire crystal with anti-resistant treatment on both sides. Its day/night display with white numerals contrasted against blue and black backgrounds. The timepiece is presented on a brown leather strap.

Concord presents the C2 Teknologic

Concord heads for the top of the charts with its revolutionary techno-world C2 Teknologic. A trendy up-to-the-minute grey PVD treated stainless steel case houses a mechanical, self-winding movement and silver-toned dial glowing with electric green LED Lookalike Superluminova detail, vertical Côtes de Genève and of course the word "CONCORD" engraved in the center. The result is an attention-grabbing ‘turntable’ (bezel), with a beats per minute counter. This all comes in an artful combination of luminous green and silver, punctuated by dauphine-type, asymmetrically hollowed out, rhodium & Superluminova ‘needles’ (hands). The C2 Teknologic is signed off with a metallic grey alligator strap, grey PVD-treated stainless steel pushers and screw-down crown with embossed C logo crown.

Ulysse Nardin launches the new Marine Chronometer Manufacture

The new Marine Chronometer Manufacture is the latest addition to the Ulysse Nardin collection of marine watches. Its Caliber UN-118, manufactured entirely in-house with its beating heart of silicon and DIAMonSIL the Marine Chronometer Manufacture has a date that can be adjusted either backward or forward. Available in rose gold or in stainless steel, the Marine Chronometer Manufacture bears the classic hallmarks of marine instruments: a generous case with a diameter for excellent readability, a fluted bezel, solid lugs to ensure excellent stability on the wrist and a screw-locked crown guaranteeing complete water resistance to a depth of 100 meters, as well as a rubber finish for perfect handling. The timepiece comes mounted on either an alligator or rubber strap, or a gold or stainless steel bracelet.

Edox introduces Grand Ocean Extreme Sailing Series Special Edition

The 48mm new Special Edition of Edox Grand Ocean Extreme Sailing Series is housed in a stainless steel case with black, pink or blue PVD coating, the Grand Ocean is big, and bold.. It displays the hours, minutes, seconds, big date and chronograph functions, all seamlessly powered by an automatic Edox calibre 45 engine.

Jaquet Droz presents a spectacular new Moon Phase

The Perpetual Calendar Éclipseby Jaquet Droz presents a spectacular new moon phase display in two models with a resolutely modern design. On the black or ivory-colored Grand Feu enamel dial, two straight hands contrast sharply with the curves of two wavy hands, tipped with a crescent moon. The whole spectacle unfolds on a night sky boasting eight stars. The brilliant sparkle of the red gold hands, moon and stars creates a perfectly balanced contrast to the eternal solemnity of the dial in this exceptional timepiece worn by a black leather strap.

Celebrity News

Shahad Yaseen wears Jaeger-LeCoultre at Abu Dhabi Film Festival

Actress Shahad Yaseen wore a Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Night & Day in rose gold at the premiere of Djinn at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival.

Camilla Belle wears Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry

Camilla Belle wore Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry at the Inaugural Gala for The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts hosted by Salvatore Ferragamo. The Camilla brought a pop of color to the black tie affair with the French Maison’s “Butterfly Brocatelle d’Or” earrings, which she paired with the dazzling “Snowflake” bracelet. Camilla Belle completed her look with Van Cleef & Arpels’ signature “Lotus” Between the Finger ring.

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