The 6^th in the continuing series of the Swatch Group’s ‘Mini Basel 2008’ is currently under way at a new location—the newly opened Atlantis Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah. The four-day event will run from 11 to 14 October 2008. The convergence of invitation-only business partners of the group in the Middle East, North Africa and India with the presidents and senior managers of the Swatch Group’s prestigious brands has proved to be extremely popular and has grown exponentially since its inception six years ago.

Mini Basel (2008) represents a unique opportunity for the Swatch Group’s management to meet face-to-face with its partners in the region and further develop very successful business relationships. One of the highlights of Mini Basel 2008 is a grand gala dinner for all attendees on 12 October at the Ballroom in the Atlantis Hotel.

Among the brands present at Mini Basel 2008 are Breguet, Blancpain, Glashutte Original, Jaquet Droz, Leon Hatot, Omega, Longines, Rado, Tissot, cK, Balmain, Mido, Hamilton, Certina and Swatch.

Upmarket jeweller Tiffany & Co. said net sales in the second quarter (ending end July 2008) increased 11.0 % to USD $ 732.4 million from USD $ 662.6 million during the same period a year ago. The demand was driven by strong growth in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. In H1-2008, the jeweller’s net sales also rose 11.0 % to USD $ 1.40 billion and net profit grew by 54.0 % to USD $ 145.16 million.

“Whilst we acknowledge the challenging economic and consumer conditions, we are on track to meet our full year sales and earnings growth expectations,” said Tiffany Chairman & CEO, Michael Kowalski.

Belgium’s polished diamond exports for the first seven months of 2008 stood at USD $ 7.99 billion (5.65 million carats), 25.2 % more than the same period in 2007, according to the Antwerp World Diamond (AWDC) Office. Similarly, polished imports by value rose 27.4 % to stand at USD $ 7.36 billion (6.01 million carats).

Rough diamond exports increased by 10.1 % during the first seven months of the year to reach USD $ 7.52 billion (81.4 million carats). Rough diamond imports were up 18.6 % to USD $ 7.0 billion (71.10 million carats).

Australian Mining & Exploration giant BHP Billiton’s annual revenue from diamonds rose by 8.5 % to USD $ 969.0 million, up from USD $ 893.0 million a year ago due to rising diamond prices. However, its net earnings of its Diamond and Specialty Products Division (which includes titanium minerals) fell by 4.1 % to USD $ 189.0 million for the year ending 30 June 2008, compared to USD $ 197.0 million in 2007.

According to China’s Statistics Bureau, the country’s retail sales of gold, silver and jewellery rose by 43.6 % in July 2008 over the corresponding period in July 2007. From January to July 2008, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached USD $ 869.32 billion, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 21.7 %, the Bureau added.

Melbourne, Victoria-headquartered Australian-UK mining behemoth Rio Tinto’s net earnings soared by 20.0 % to USD $ 108.0 million in H1-2008 due to high rough prices, which helped to offset a 31.0 % decline in production to 7.853 million carats.

Rio Tinto’s overall group net earnings rose 11.3 % to a record high of USD $ 6.91 billion and revenues grew 115 % to USD $ 30.0 billion.

Established in 2005 as The Jewellery Store (TJS) to explore more efficient gold jewellery financing using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), TJS has evolved into a provider of track-and-trace solutions for high-value items. According to Gabriel Nasser, CEO, TJS, the move is a natural progression to the technological aspect of the original TJS business.

“TJS will focus on track and trace solutions including RFID and move away from the wholesale jewellery business and the vault, which will be operated by Damas,” explained Nasser. TJS’s flagship product Ivory (TM) is a suite of RFID-based solutions that include software, hardware and tags specifically designed with a tamper-evident feature.

In a recent ruling, a US federal judge in New York has dismissed the trademark infringement lawsuit filed by Van Cleef & Arpels in December 2007 against Mouawad USA Inc. and Heidi Klum GmbH over a line of jewellery bearing the supermodel’s name. According to documents filed recently in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, Judge Shira A. Scheindlin ordered the case dismissed without prejudice after the two jewellery houses opted ‘to settle the controversy between them without admission of liability’.

A dismissal without prejudice means the suit could be brought again in the future. Van Cleef & Arpels, owned by luxury goods group Richemont, was seeking more than USD $ 25,000 in compensation.

Dubai based International Diamond laboratories (IDL), an initiative launched by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) in 2007, has recently received the ISO 9001:2000 professional certification, the topmost international billing for quality management. The certification underscores IDL’s efforts to promote the diamond trade through ensuring quality and customer confidence.

“The ISO 9001:2000 certification validates IDL’s strict adherence to international best practices in quality management,” said Peter Meeus, CEO, IDL, which provides the diamond trade and jewellery retailers with state-of-the-art grading services and documentation to assure customers of the quality and authenticity of the diamonds and diamond jewellery they purchase.

Following a rigourous pitching process, Dubai-headquartered multi-faceted and diversified conglomerate, BinHendi Enterprises has appointed Dubai Media City-based Euro RSCG Corporate Communications Middle East as its official Corporate Communications & Public Relations Agency. The bilateral agreement was recently reached between Mohi-Din BinHendi, Founder President, BinHendi Enterprises and Rachid Mtaini, General Manager, Euro RSCG CC ME.

The Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX) recently announced the successful completion of its largest ever physical settlement of gold (and steel rebar) futures contracts valued at USD $ 25.20 million by the Dubai Commodities Clearing Corporation (DCCC), a subsidiary of the DGCX. The settlement involved the physical delivery of 908.0 kgs of gold.

According to Malcolm Wall Morris, CEO, DGCX, said the largest physical settlement of gold in October 2008 reflects the confidence that members and their customers place on the DGCX.

British artist Damien Hirst will begin the world tour of his USD $ 100.0 million diamond skull called ‘For the Love of God’ at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam from November 1 to December 15, 2008 according to a Bloomberg report.

Hirst’s skull, which will share the same space as Rembrandt’s ‘Nightwatch’, is cast from platinum and encrusted with 8,601 diamonds weighing a total of 1,200 carats.

On 26 September 2008, Yves Rossy, the modern-day Icarus (Flying-Man in Greek mythology) or FusionMan as he is now known as, became the first man to fly with a jet-propelled wing on his back across the English Channel from Calais (in France) to Dover (in England) in 12 minutes. Hublot’s CEO Jean-Claude Biver not only believed but also actively supported his friend Yves Rossy’s project when the two first met two years ago. Jean-Claude Biver was committed to supporting FusionMan because for him (Biver), the project embodied the fusion of dream and state-of-the-art technology.

By standing in for his employer, Swiss AirLines, during his sabbatical leave, Hublot enabled Yves Rossy, an Airbus A340 captain, to devote himself entirely to the fulfillment of his dream in optimal conditions.

Known globally for its support of international cinema, Chopard has partnered with the prestigious Cannes Film Festival for the past 12 years and has created the beautiful Palme d’Or Trophy, the Festival’s highest honour. Now, Chopard will sponsor the 17-day New York Film Festival (NYFF), where some of the finest films will be screened. The award-winning Chopard collection will be worn by the industry’s brightest stars.

The House of Chopard, the independent and family-owned watch and jewellery company, was founded by Louis-Ulysse Chopard in 1860.

Raymond Weil, a leading name in Swiss watch-making, is branching into and investing in the male luxury accessories sector. The brand’s first range of accessories comprises fluted round cufflinks in gold-plated, steel and carbon fibre and a brass / carbon fibre ball-point pen which have been launched simultaneously as the limited edition nabucco cuore caldo edition.

The new collection reinforces the aesthetic codes of the emblematic, carbon fibre nabucco chrono model and is expected to appeal to the young, confident and stylish clientele.

Following his earlier victory in the 2008 Junior Lista Formula Championship in Dijon, Joel Volluz will take part in the final round of the European Championship of the BMW Formula of the F1 Grand Prix in Monza. Volluz is sponsored by Instruments & Mesures du Temps (IM&T).

Florence, Italy based fashion House of Salvatore Ferragamo, one of the top designer brands in the world, in partnership with the Timex Group, held an exclusive media preview in Dubai, UAE to launch their newest 2008 / 2009 watch collections. These included the Palagio Collection drawing its inspiration from traditional Florentine culture; the Assoluto Collection, with creative designs in terms of shape, colour and material and featuring the restructured Gancino model in diamonds & steel or full diamonds & steel and the F-80 GMT Automatic Chronograph with a clean, linear design and mechanical movement.

Also on show were the Vara Collection inspired by the iconic Ferragamo coloured shoe, in gold and diamonds and available in three interchangeable straps and the Salvatore, appropriately named after the founder himself and a tribute to the brand’s craftsmanship tradition. The Salvatore features straps in precious alligator leather, guilloche dials and for automatic models, case-back in sapphire crystal that reveal the exclusive finishing of the mechanical movement.

Present at this elite gathering were Paolo Marai, Timex Group CEO, Michele Norsa, CEO, Ferragamo, Switzerland and other officials from the GCC region.

Geneva premium watchmaker Francois-Paul (F.P.) Journe, has recently presented its first collection of prestigious writing instruments in avant-garde, yet elegant shapes. Unique in both design and innovation, the collection is entirely made in platinum PT 950 or 18-carat gold combined with titanium, the same symbolic precious metals as his exclusive watch creations.

The collection of F. P. Journe’s patented, first writing instruments, a fountain pen and a roller will initially be available in Europe, Us, Hong Kong and Japan. Produced in a limited edition of 500 each and entirely guilloched by hand in the finest tradition of artisan craftsmanship. The nib of the fountain pen is 18-carat gold, is entirely hand-polished and engraved with the F.P. Journe logo. The platinum version is lacquered in blue while natural colour lacquer is used for the gold version with 18K red gold inserts. This collection will be enhanced by superb cufflinks in platinum or in 18K red gold inspired by the new F.P. Journe deployant clasp.

Top Brazilian jewellery brand Vancox will unveil its latest collection with UAE partners Damas at the latter’s boutique located in the Jewellery Court, Saks Fifth Avenue located in the BurJuman Centre in Dubai. In attendance will be Ricardo Bronfen, the brand’s founder & creator and Tamjid Abdullah, Deputy Managing Director, Damas.

The ICA International Gem Show Dubai 2008 will debut at the Al Bustan Rotan Hotel in Dubai, UAE from 13 to 15 October. The New York-based International Coloured Gemstone Association (ICA)-sponsored International Gem Show Dubai 2008 is being held under the patronage of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). The inaugural ceremonies will be attended by Andrew Cody, ICA President, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC and Gaiti Rabbani, Executive Director, Coloured Stones & Pearls Division, DMCC.

Over 100 exhibitors from the coloured stones industry representing more than 19 countries will converge at this venue for this three-day exhibition. Among the international companies participating in this landmark exhibition are K. Brunini Jewels, JOEB Enterprises, Canelhas, Pink Stone and Tavares Gems. A consumer day has been arranged on 15 October 2008 where the general public will have access to the show to make purchases of exquisite jewellery at attractive prices.

Joaillerie Saudi Arabia 2009 will be staged in the capital Riyadh, from 3 to 6 May the capital of Saudi Arabia, a market that accounts for 70 % of the region’s diamond consumption. The exhibition will take place at the brand new, state-of-the-art Riyadh International Exhibition Centre, the capital’s most prestigious show venue, scheduled for inauguration later this year.

Reduced import tariffs from 12 % to 5 % represents yet another incentive for international jewellery and watch manufacturers to explore new business opportunities in the oil-rich Kingdom. The total gold and jewellery market in the Kingdom is estimated at USD $ 7.2 billion.

The event is organized by Riyadh Exhibitions Company, a proven and professional exhibition organizer in Saudi Arabia.

The second edition of the International Jewellery & Watch Vietnam (IJV) 2008 (Autumn Fair) will be held in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) International Exhibition & Convention Centre from 14 to 16 November 2008. The IJV is a premier event for fine jewellery, diamonds, colour gemstones, pearls, watches & clocks, tools and equipment in this South East Asian country, one of the fastest growing markets for watches & jewellery. The First (Spring Edition) of IJV attracted over 7,000 trade visitors.

Effective 1 November 2008, Martin Bachmann (46), will take over as CEO of Swiss luxury watchmaker Maurice Lacroix. For the past seven years, Bachmann has already been involved significantly is the development of the brand as Executive Board Member responsible for the division’s Marketing / Country operations. “I am looking forward to the new challenge as CEO and together with my management team, it is my goal to continue this successful strategy,” remarked Bachmann in a Pres statement.

Martin Bachmann’s successor for the position of Director of Sales / Country operations will be Marc Glaser (40), who returns to the brand after 4 years.