Dubai Watch Week, the GCC’s greatest watch-related event and the passion project of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, has wrapped. The event brought together the most exciting watch makers from around the world.
Brands such as Chopard, H. Moser & Cie, Rolex, Breitling, Hublot and more brought their latest and greatest, wowing crowds from across the GCC with the latest innovations, opulence and style from the hallowed halls of luxury watch manufactures and ateliers.
Hind Seddiqi, Director General of Dubai Watch Week, said, “Dubai Watch Week 2023 marked a milestone with over 23,000 attendees, over 60 participating brands, and over 20 brand launches. As we reflect on the success of the 6th edition, we are grateful for the support from our partners and brands and look forward to welcoming everyone back, fuelled by our passion for the industry and as we continue to elevate the platform.”
In this guide, YUNG and Hassan Akhras of Arab Watch Club (Instagram) and the Arab Watch Guide (Instagram), explore ten incredible examples of the watchmaking craft that were on show this month.
At the end of a busy, inspirational Dubai Watch Week, YUNG sat down with Akhras to share our experiences of the event. “Dubai Watch Week has become one of the best fairs to learn about new watches, connect with old friends, meet new ones and celebrate horology,” said Akhras. “We’re seeing more collaborations between brands and upcoming young watchmakers – and the push for limited editions or limited run pieces. I believe the new young upcoming brands and watchmakers are doing a great job – Xherep, Simon Brette and the like.”
Of the GCC market, Akhras sees it as growing quickly, with increasing numbers of collectors, many of whom are young, it’s a “good region for large brands to grow and smaller ones to kick off,” he says. In the future, he hopes to see new brands emerge and find a place among watch lovers, “I hope that collectors become more and more open to new brands not just the mainstream ones – less hyped pieces and more availability for collectors.”
So, without further ado here are our favourite pieces from Dubai Watch Week 2023, in no particular order!
Ulysse Nardin’s Freak ONE OPS
Read our full review here, but in short, this is just an incredible piece. In the words of Chic’s Le Freak – “The Freak, c’est unique!” From its stunning green appeal to its innovative hands and the lack of a dial, this is one head-turning watch!
Hublot’s Classic Fusion Black Magic Dubai Watch Week
This Dubai Watch Week exclusive was created with award-winning calligraphy artist Wissam Shawkat. The end result marries the classic styles of Hublot with Shawkat’s distinctive style through calligraphy reading “Al Zaman” and “Al Waqt” both of which mean “time”.
MB&F’s Horological Machine Nº11
As we discovered earlier in the week, this otherworldly creation was inspired by houses. Whatever the inspiration, this four-chambered stunner barely looks like a watch. This is definitely a conversation starter.
Girard-Perregaux’s Neo Bridges Aston Martin Edition
A combination of two expert, luxury brands, these stunning pieces combine the timeless appeal of Girard-Perregaux’s Bridges collection with elements inspired by Aston Martin’s next generation of sportscars and the world’s first Super Tourer, the DB12.
Chopard’s L.U.C Strike One
This is a 25-piece edition and is utterly unique thanks to its distinctive crystalline chiming notes. The mirror-polished steel hammer, further sets the L.U.C Strike One apart.
Reservoir X Abdulla Lutfi
Famed Emirati artist Abdulla Lufti collaborated with Reservoir to create this gorgeous, fun piece that perfectly blends Arabic influences, modern art and Swiss watchmaking. The limited edition pieces are available at Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons boutiques across the Middle East.
Moser & Cie’s Streamliner Small Seconds Blue Enamel
This lovely piece takes Moser & Cie’s acclaimed integrated sport watch, adds a brand new movement and a stunning blue dial to create a contemporary, sleek piece that takes the breath away.
Ming’s 29.01 Dubai Edition
Embracing Arabic numerals and script on the dial, this beautiful piece from Ming covers times on continents, countries, and cities creating a must-have for the discerning Arabic-speaker as they cross the globe.
Gérald Genta / La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton’s Gérald Genta Only Watch 2023
Revived under La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton famed House Gérald Genta’s first new offering is a one of a kind, whimsical Mickey Mouse featuring a signature display, a complex, geometrical case and a Haute Horlogerie movement and is presented for Only Watch 2023.
Oris, Seddiqi Group and Arab Watch Club’s Oris Pointer Date AWC Edition
These three names have come together to create this beautiful, Arabic-inspired piece. The simple blue-purple tones, perfectly compliment the bronze case, allowing the simple, uncluttered dial to shine. More, Arabic pieces, please!
Vyntage Horology’s Monograph Light Blue
These two stunning pieces from Vyntage Horology, a house created by Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, take regionally-created watches to a new level. The brand is led by the vision of the Seddiqi family’s third generation. Here we see the Monograph Light Blue, with its stunning, light blue dial and silver hand-applied Hindi numerals. Limited to 25 pieces, the piece is powered by a Swiss-made manual winding movement with mono-pusher chronograph.
