Hotel occupancy in Dubai rises 26 percent in July; Pandora profit up by 41% in Q2; Harry Winston reopens its retail salon in Harrods

Market News

Hotel occupancy in Dubai rises 26 percent in July

According to a statement from consultancy STR Global, occupancy of four- and five-star hotels in Dubai was up 26 percent year-on-year in July to 57.6 percent. Occupancy was below 50 percent until the end of Ramadan (which started June 18 and ended July 16), after which it touched 70 per cent, the research firm said. Average daily rate (ADR), however, was down 2.9 per cent to Dh614, resulting in revenue per available room (RevPAR — an industry measure of rates and occupancies) to increase by 22.4 per cent to Dh353. Hotel room supply rose 4.8 per cent in July, while demand jumped 32 percent.

Pandora profit up by 41% in Q2

Pandora revenue jumped by 41 percent during the second quarter. Group revenue has reached $531.8 million (DKK $3.6 billion) in the three months that ended June 30. The net profit for the period was $134.5million. Pandora concept stores has contributed 59 percent of its total revenue during the last quarter, the company said in a statement released last Tuesday. Pandora intends to add more than 375 new concept stores in 2015, compared with an original target of 325 new concept stores.

Company News

Harry Winston reopens its retail salon in Harrods

Harry Winston announces the reopening of its retail salon in Harrods, following a three-month renovation. The newly expanded space presents a more intimate and inviting salon environment, with dedicated jewellery and timepiece galleries.

Daniel Craig visits the OMEGA factory

Daniel Craig has made a special visit to the heart of the Swiss watchmaking industry for the inauguration of the OMEGA factory in Villeret, Switzerland. The actor who reprises his role as James Bond in SPECTRE, the 24th Bond adventure, was given a guided tour, as well as exclusive access to the factory’s assembly line. During the visit he was also shown production of the new OMEGA Seamaster 300 “SPECTRE” Limited Edition. Together with Nick Hayek, Swatch Group CEO, and Stephen Urquhart, President of OMEGA, Craig was shown exactly what goes into making OMEGA watches such as the one he wears in SPECTRE. As an avid collector himself, he was fascinated by the engineering and expertise on show.

Piaget shines with Melody Gardot in Switzerland

Award-winning singer-songwriter Melody Gardot recently lights up the stage of the Montreux Jazz Festival with Piaget and enchant the audiences with her sultry voice and innovative approach to jazz. For her performance at the world-famous festival in Switzerland, the long-time friend of Piaget wore two Possession rings: one in pink gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds and the other in yellow gold.

TAG Heuer announces its partnership with the Bundesliga

At the occasion of the SuperCup 2015, TAG Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver, and Christian Seifert, CEO of the Bundesliga announces their partnership for three years. The famous German national Championship - the L1 + L2 with a total of 36 magnificent teams - played their matches on TAG Heuer time as TAG Heuer becomes the First historic Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of the Bundesliga.

de Grisogono Founder celebrates his 63rd birthday in Porto Cervo

On August 8th 2015, de Grisogono Founder, Fawaz Gruosi celebrated his 63rd birthday. The place he has chosen this year for his birthday is where he likes to stay when he is not at the family residence. The Cala di Volpe Hotel, a place that perfectly symbolises the Porto Cervo spirit, brimming with the kind of contrasts dear to Fawaz’ heart: majestic and intimate, simple and sophisticated. A star-studded event was graced by the presence of special invited guests and the most stylish people. Simona Ventura, Mara Venier, Valeria Marini, Claudia Galanti, Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, Victoria Silvstedt, Flavio Briatore and Elisabetta Gregoraci, Countess Marta Marzotto and her niece Margherita Marzotto, the famous photographer Marco Glaviano and Caterina Murino, to name just a few.

Zenith supports the Eric Abidal Foundation at the classic tennis tour Barcelona

Zenith lent its support to the Foundation established by former French footballer Eric Abidal. Zenith was placed in a marquee on the central tennis court at the Barcelona Royal Polo Club. For the event, the brand donated two watches for the fundraising tombola that was drawn in the gardens of the Fairmont Rey Juan Carlos I hotel. All the funds raised from the sale of the tombola tickets were donated to the foundation. In the game two lucky winners took home a treasured Zenith model each: The Elite Ultra Thin Lady for ladies and the Elite Ultra Thin for men.

Product Launch

Jaeger-LeCoultre launches Master Ultra Thin Squellete timepiece

Jaeger-LeCoultre movement has devised an elaborate stage-setting for the hours and minutes bearing it’s inimitable. The white or pink gold is first adorned with a guilloché motif that gives a distinctive rhythm of the watch. The enamel to the dial surface with a strongly pigmented deep blue for the white version, or a frosted chestnut brown to match the pink gold of the case. Each of the hour zones is adorned with natural white mother-of-pearl that is hand-engraved to texture this delicate material. Finally, the fire of the brilliant-cut diamonds on the bezel sets the crowning touch. The strap is of Alligator leather, pin buckle.

Jaquet Droz introduces the Grande Heure Minute Quantième

With the Grande Heure Minute Quantième, Jaquet Droz brings together its historic aesthetic codes in a contemporary watch with a unique identity. In a stainless steel case even thinner than that of the Grande Seconde Quantième, this new watch asserts its personality with three central hands and date through an aperture at 6 o'clock, while upholding the brand's codes: blued steel or rhodium-plated Lancine-shaped hands, red-tipped seconds hand, rhodium-treated indexes, sunray crown, box crystal, etc. The new date aperture sports a design with sharp angles and beveled edges perfectly embedded in the dial, without forgetting the classic last day of the month displayed in red.

Richard Mille launches the RM 055 Bubba Watson Boutique Edition

Limited to just 50 pieces, the RM 055 Bubba Watson Boutique Edition is the newest iteration of the popular RM 055 reference by Richard Mille. The RM 055 Bubba Watson Boutique Edition has an upper bezel created using shot-blasted titanium carbide. Titanium carbide (TiC) is a titanium and carbon alloy with a hardness of 1450 Vickers, it was first used by Richard Mille in the creation of the armoured case of the Tourbillon RM 053 Pablo Mac Donough. Its hardness enables it to withstand extremes and therefore ensures outstanding durability. The RM 055 Boutique Edition is available only at Richard Mille Boutiques in Geneva, Paris, London Mount Street, Harrods, Milan, Monaco, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and at the pop-up boutiques in Porto Cervo and the Polo Club Saint-Tropez.

Ulysse Nardin reveals its sensual side with Hourstriker Erotica Jarretière

Known for its daring watchmaking ingenuity, Ulysse Nardin pushes the boundaries once again by revealing a side never seen before – sensuality. Adding a little risqué to its repertoire of wristwatches is the new Hourstriker Erotica Jarretière. Erotic scenes are a long-standing tradition in the watch industry. Ulysse Nardin takes the subject matter to new heights through its implementation of the Hourstriker movement and Jaquemarts. A limited edition of 28 pieces each in rose gold and platinum, the timepiece’s tale is evident on its dial. A delicate, handcrafted miniature painting brings the romance of Venice to life.

Ralph Lauren presents RL67 Safari Chronometers

Ralph Lauren has presented the Ralph Lauren RL67 Safari Chronometer timepiece. The RL67 Safari Chronometer with khaki-colored dial carries on the integration of design motifs expressive of the Safari collection. Possessing a uniquely vintage look, this timepiece has an “aged” steel case made possible by a technical treatment that transforms the blackened steel into a sublime patina. The RL67 Safari Chronometer with camouflage dial is another striking new edition to the Safari timepiece collection. The azuré camouflage pattern on the dial is an extension of Ralph Lauren’s well-known ability to combine elegance and fashion with utility.

Movado presents the new Sport Edge

The Sport Edge is equipped with a substantial case crafted in brushed and polished solid stainless steel, and topped by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal. The fixed gear-edge bezel in black rubber imparts an ultra-sporty look and feel. Encircled by a black minute reflector ring with tone-on-tone printed Arabic numerals, the black dial is defined by a stamped minute track, Movado’s polished silver-toned signature concave dot at 12 o’clock, silver-toned dauphine hour and minute hands with luminescent detail, a stick seconds hand and round date display at 6 o’clock.

Pure Gold Jewellers offers the largest collection of GIA graded loose diamonds

Pure Gold Jewellers has expanded its offerings with the largest selection of GIA graded loose diamonds in the region. Customers wishing to buy a GIA graded diamond can now browse the selection on Pure Gold Jewellers online portal and book it through any of their retail stores.

Celebrity News

Miles Teller wore Jaeger-LeCoultre for Fantastic Four New York Premiere

Miles Teller wears Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Night & Day timepiece in pink gold for the New York Premiere of Fantastic Four.

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