Dubai Watch Week
Cover Dubai Watch Week 2023 at the Dubai International Financial Centre

Dubai Watch Week 2023 in November offered a generous schedule of events that encourage discourses and exchange of knowledge

Framed as a catalyst for collaborative exchanges, the Dubai Watch Week (DWW) that was held from November 16-20 served as a source of inspiration for numerous watchmaking events. Its agenda was packed with workshops, debates, and presentations, held daily in the Collectors’ Lounge, Creative Hub, and Forums.

Discussions also happened under the shade of palm trees in the numerous relaxation areas, ideal for further encounters and networking opportunities. At the end of each day, cocktails, dinners, and parties extended the lively conversations amidst Dubai’s bright lights and dynamic atmosphere.

From independent artisans to global giants, 50 exhibitors were invited by Seddiqi & Sons, the key retailer behind DWW, to put on a stunning show.

Read more: Sincere Haute Horlogerie opens its biggest boutique in Southeast Asia

Tatler Asia
Dubai Watch Week
Above Dubai Watch Week

A quarter of the exhibitors used their participation in this flagship event as a springboard for global launches. Popular independent brand H. Moser & Cie chose DWW to unveil its magnificent new Streamliner Small Seconds.

See also: 4 spectacular new watches that track the lunar cycle

Frederique Constant celebrated its 35th anniversary by launching stunning creations: the Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Manufacture, and its watch collaboration with its ambassador, producer and DJ Avener. 

Watch lovers were also delighted by the diversity of brands and their latest models including Armin Strom, ArtyA, Breitling, Ferdinand Berthoud, Greubel Forsey, Oris, and Ulysse Nardin.

Tatler Asia
Above DJ Avener was at DWW 2023 to promote his collaboration with Frederique Constant

The influence and importance of DWW is also demonstrated by the number of brands that have created special series for the local market, whether it was Hublot with 50 pairs of ladies’ and men’s Classic Fusion watches or Carl F Bucherer, which has designed two one-of-a-kind haute horlogerie models.

In most cases, these involved a few dozen timepieces with dials featuring distinctive motifs (ditto Speake Marin and Reservoir), or 10 monochrome examples including Bovet or De Bethune.

In instances where a brand’s history has long been linked to that of the Seddiqi family such as Doxa or Gérald Charles, which was relaunched in Dubai in 2020, the launch benefits from a special staging with Mohammed Seddiqi himself. Family and entrepreneurship are values highly prized by the Seddiqis, whose third-generation representative Hind Seddiqi is currently the head of DWW.

Tatler Asia
Above Mohammed Seddiqi and Gérald Charles CEO Federico Zivani

Outside the central pavilion, some 40 exhibiting brands were organised according to themes. Haute Horlogerie featured Chanel, there was a Daytono display by Rolex, Tudor aptly chose to highlight Sport, Innovation had Audemars Piguet while Chopard and Girard-Perregaux flaunted their Art of Living. Audemars Piguet was undoubtedly the most appealing of them all and regularly drew long lines at its entrance, with a peak of 2,600 visitors on Day 2.

Tatler Asia
Dubai Watch Week
Above The Audemars Piguet booth at Dubai Watch Week 2023

For its debut at DWW, Van Cleef & Arpels built the most impressive booth to house its concept of a travelling exhibition recreating a miniature Paris and its famous Pont des Amoureux (Love Lock Bridge). Christie’s, meanwhile, exhibited 150 watches from its promising Oak Collection sale.

Tatler Asia
Above Van Cleef & Arpels made its debut at Dubai Watch Week 2023 with an impressive booth

DWW’s current dilemma lies in the space limitation of its current location, The Gate in Dubai International Financial Centre, which is getting a little crowded. The five-day event was visited by 23,000 people, a whopping 43 per cent more than last year. Would further growth mean relocating but at the risk of losing its cherished conviviality?

For more on GMT's report on DWW 2023, visit https://en.worldtempus.com/events/dubai-watch-week-2043.

NOW READ

Rolex brought its A-game at Singapore Grand Prix 2023

A closer look at the Audemars Piguet watch that won the GPHG 2023 Aguille d'Or prize

Why Ressence Type 3 watch is filled with oil

Topics