After a two-year interval, Dubai Watch week returns in 2021. Organized by the largest retailer in the Middle East, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, it’s an event where horology personalities from all around the world gather to discuss and explore the timepiece industry—taking place in Dubai’s most important business destination, Dubai International Financial Center.
For five days of November, geniuses of the watchmaking industry rub shoulders with passionate watch collectors and watch enthusiasts. And more so, the enthusiasm was higher than ever, making it an event to be savoured.
Despite the pandemic, organizers said 16,000 attendees flowed through the gates of DIFC; I guess they were lured by the headliners like Rolex, Jacobs & Co, Audemars Piguet, and Hublot.
There were many watches, as you can expect from such an event. There were some regional limited editions produced and launched to entice the people living in the country who are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the United Arab Emirates.
Oris introduced its new edition of the rectangular watch with its gallant deep blue-dialled version of Oris’s signature Big Crown Date.
Girard-Perregaux launched a limited edition of the enamel-dialled Laureato and a Cat’s Eye. They also took us back to 1889 with the charming La Esmeralda Tourbillion pocket watch to celebrate their 230th anniversary year.
We know Hublot is known for making watches with some of the most intriguing materials available. The Concrete Sand was no exception in this regard. In collaboration with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, Hublot launched a special edition watch to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the UAE with a watch made out of concrete and Camel leather.
Dubai Watch Week wasn’t just about exploring watches. They hosted various panel talks that included some of the watchmaking industry legends like François-Henry Bennahmias, Audemars Piguet CEO and Maximillion Buser, owner and creative director of MB&F, along with famous faces in the horology industry like Anish Bhatt, Founder of Watch Anish, and Kevin O’Leary, well known for the American TV show, Shark Tank who is also a watch collector.
Dubai Watch Week takes place every two years, and it brings watchmakers, collectors and enthusiasts together. This year was no exception with regional limited edition launches and some very unique timepieces, and I am sure Dubai Watch Week will make a tremendous return soon.