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Exhibition & Events
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| AWJ - (B2B) Newsletter crosses 100th Edition milestone |
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With this edition, the AWJ - (B2B) Newsletter passes a significant milestone in its history.
In its eventful four-year history, the AWJ - (B2B) Newsletter has evolved considerably. The Newsletter is presently circulated to over 8,200 professional recipients, all intimately involved in the watch & jewellery industry, around the globe. The Newsletter is constantly gaining momentum since it was turned to weekly.
Our coverage of the watch & jewellery industry is extensive across the Middle East and our repertoire includes periodic Breaking News, Market News, Corporate News, New Product Launches, reports on Exhibitions, Conventions & Conferences and key appointments.
We are committed to the watch & jewellery industry. We will continue to be proactive and stay the course, giving the industry profound insights into the business.
We take this opportunity to thank you, our dear readers, for your continued support to the Newsletter and pledge to work even harder to bring you timely & latest updates on the industry in the region & live up to our reputation.
Buoyed by our successes, we are determined to go international with this AWJ - (B2B) Newsletter by direct daily broadcasts from Baselworld 2008 / SIHH. |
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| UAE economy grew by 7.4 % in 2007, Saudi GDP to grow 4.3 % this year |
The UAE economy achieved real growth of 7.4 % in 2007 as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached AED 698 billion (USD $ 191.2 billion). The announcement was made by Economy Minister Sultan Saeed Al Mansouri, citing the economic diversification policies adopted by the UAE Government as a major factor for the growth.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s economy is expected to grow 4.3 % this year, up from 4.1 % in 2007, despite inflation reaching record levels, according to a recent report by the leading Al Rajhi Bank. Overall, real GDP growth in the six GCC states is expected to reach 5.4 % in 2008 and the GCC economy more than doubled in size in nominal terms to USD 723.0 billion between 2001 and 2006. |
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| UAE leads retail growth in the Middle East |
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Dubai in the UAE is leading the growth of the Middle East retail sector, which is projected to exceed USD $ 500.0 billion by 2010, according to the latest Middle East survey by Retail International. At 15.0 million sq. ft. of retail space, the density of shopping footage in Dubai already makes up more than half of the UAE’s total.
“Over the next five years, the GCC will have more than 200 retail developments and accommodate more than 27,000 retailers,” said Paula Al Chami, Exhibition Director, InRetail, a retail sector trade exhibition. The region’s retail space currently stands at 6.0 million sq. m. but this will be expanded by another 5.0 million. This sector is said to be the driving force behind the Middle East’s ‘unprecedented economic boom’. |
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| Precious stones worth USD $ 25.0 million to go under the hammer |
| Emeralds worth USD $ 25.0 million will soon be auctioned at the Gems Club at the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). The auction, organized by the largest Brazilian exporter Canelhas, will help to launch the newest sector at the DMCC called Coloured Stones, & Pearls (CSP), launched in December 2007. The precise date of the auction is yet to be officially announced. |
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| Antiquorum spring auction achieves top prices for Rolex watches |
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Antiquorum achieved good results with its first auction in 2008 in Geneva by attaining total sales of Swiss Francs (SFR) 9.6 million from the catalogue’s 806 lots. The highlights of the sale were the Patek Philippe ‘Fourth Series’ that sold for SFR 356,000 and a Rolex that once belonged to the late Brazilian Formula One driver Ayrton Senna for SFR 36,000-four times its pre-sale estimate. |
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| Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group to raise industry standards |
As part of an ongoing effort to sustain demand and raise industry standards in the region, the Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG) is stepping up its drive to improve jewellery retail and marketing services through a series of training programmes focusing on customer service, sales & marketing.
The DGJG’s commitment to excellence was recognized at the recent Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) Innovation Awards, in which the organization was honoured for Outstanding Customer Service. As part of its training initiative, DGJG is offering specialized programmes in a tie-up with the International Gemological Institute (IGI) on diamond grading and coloured stones certification. |
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| Rocketing gold prices affect jewellery sales in Middle East |
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The USD $ 1,000 per ounce price of gold and the continuing fluctuations in prices will deal a blow to jewellery sales, according to Tawhid Abdullah, Managing Director, Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG). He expressed concern about the phenomenal 50 % jump in the price of gold over the last six months and added that sales are already down 30 % in volume this year.
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| Middle East’s first gold-backed fund to be launched in the UAE |
| The World Gold Council plans to sell a gold-backed fund in Dubai, the first offering in the Middle East, accorded to James Burton, CEO of the producer-funded group. The Council plans to list the StreetTracks Gold Trust, the biggest bullion exchange-traded fund in Dubai to tap investors in the region, home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world. |
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| Hublot boosts polo in Argentina, the land of its origin |
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In anticipation of the ‘Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad’ from 14 to 17 August 2008, Hublot, the premier Swiss watchmaker teamed up with this paramount Club, in Argentina, the land of Polo. The grand announcement was made by Jean-Claude Biver, CEO, Hublot at an impressive ceremony in the Argentinean capital Buenos Aires, which was attended by especially invited, elite media team that included MPParabia, publishers of Arabian Watches & Jewellery (AWJ) Magazine and the weekly AWJ - (B2B) Business Broadcast. The sport is extremely popular in the country and the capital city of Buenos Aires alone for example, is home to over 600 Polo clubs.
As an expression of its seal of approval, Hublot presented The Big Bang Polo Club Gstaad Chronograph sporting the tournament logo. The Big Bang Polo Club Gstaad, a limited series of 250 pieces, is a black ceramic chronograph featuring the Gstaad tournament logo on its dial.
The leading brand also used the opportunity to present the new Brand Ambassador who will wear its colours—29-year old Miguel Novillo Astrada, born into a family associated with the game of Polo for generations privileged to be among the current top five players in the world with a 10-goal handicap. .
The Middle East is one of the finest growing markets for Hublot, where the brand has been growing phenomenally with expected sales of USD $ 35.0 million in 2008. The brand hopes to maintain its sales momentum over the coming years. |
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| Cartier to unveil new high jewellery collection, to host Polo game in UAE |
| Cartier will unveil its new high jewellery collection at the Al Falak Ballroom at the Burj Al Arab on 27 March 2008. The event will attended by Bernard Fornas, President & CEO of Cartier International and Patrick Normand, Managing Director of Cartier Middle East. On the following day, 28 March 2008, Cartier will host the (Cartier) International Dubai Polo Challenge at the Desert Palm Polo Club under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, Wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President & Prime Minister of the UAE & Ruler of Dubai. |
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| Independent Spirit awards celebrated with Piaget creations |
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Celebrities, nominees and presenters at this year’s annual independent Spirit Awards ceremony chose to celebrate this grand event with Piaget creations. Piaget’s Guest of Honour Maggie Cheung wore two rings from the Limelight Collection, one inspired by the disco ball and the other an imposing white gold signet ring with baguette–cut diamonds. Other attendees wore a pink, gold-square shaped Antiplano Watch, a Piaget Polo white gold watch and Possession yellow gold hoop earrings. |
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| Blancpain ‘Lettres Du Brassus’ Magazine wins three publishing awards |
The Blancpain ‘Lettres Du Brassus’ magazine has received awards in three categories from the International Mercury Awards, considered one of the most prestigious in the field of corporate publishing. These include the Grand Award for Writing (all categories of publications); The Grand Award for Writing (Magazine Category) and an Honours Award for Design.
The bi-annual Lettres Du Brassus is a magazine dedicated to the art of living and designed to provide Blancpain connoisseurs and devotees with first-hand information the brand’s projects and latest creations. |
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| Certina & BMW Sauber F1 Team extend partnership |
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Certina, a member of the Swatch Group, is extending its partnership with the BMW Sauber F1 Team. The Swiss sports watchmaker has been an Official Partner of the team since its founding. According to Adrain Bosshard, President, Certina, Formula One is and will remain an ideal platform for promoting the brand. |
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| Prize giving ceremony for the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix 2008 to be held on 13 November |
| The Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix 2008 to be held at the Grand Theatre de Geneve on 13 November will once again bring the watchmaking world’s professional community of managers, journalists and decision-makers to the city. The Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix bestows the most prestigious and sought-after prizes of all those concerned to the brands, watches and creators of the watch industry. The supreme prize, known as the ‘Aiguille d’or’ or Golden Hand was awarded to Richard Mille in 2007. |
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| BinHendi Enterprises CEO wins Achievement Award |
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Amna BinHendi, CEO, BinHendi Group, recently received the Leaders Achievement Awards for “Young Woman Entrepreneur’ of the Year at the 10th Global Businesswomen & Leaders Summit. The eminent speakers at the ceremony included Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland and Dr. Massoumeh Ebtekar, former Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. |
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| UAE Jeweller opens the world’s largest showroom |
| Joyalukkas, a leading UAE-based gold jewellery chain opened the world’s largest jewellery showroom in the Southern Indian city of Chennai on 16 March 2008. the new showroom spread over 70,000 sq. ft. of retail space in the heart of Chennai is the Group’s 65th outlet and is in line with its plan to open over 100 showrooms in the GCC and India by 2009. The showroom was inaugurated jointly by Vayalar Ravi, India’s Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and Philip Olden, Managing Director, Marketing & Jewellery, World Gold Council. |
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| Balenciaga to preview new fashion collection in UAE |
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Spanish Fashion House Balenciaga will preview its new Spring / Summer 2008 Collection in Dubai, UAE on 17 and 18 March 2008 at the Emirates Tower Shopping Boulevard. |
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| Celebrities adorn creations from world’s leading jewellery brands |
| US actress Ginnifer Goodwin chose H. Stern’s Victorian Necklace in 18-carat yellow gold and silver set with cognac diamonds at a recent benefit dinner hosted by Hilary Swank in Los Angeles to fund the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s (EIF) Women’s Cancer Research Fund. Separately, Jessica Alba recently attended the premiere of ‘The Eye in Paris’ wearing jewellery from the House of Bvlgari. |
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| Omega presents two Chronograph Limited Editions in run up to the Beijing Olympics |
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Swiss luxury watchmaker Omega has presented the 3rd phase of its Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Collection with two limited edition Seamaster Aqua Terra Chronographs. This limited edition watch, limited to 2008 units, combines 18-carat red gold and stainless steel. Both models feature the five coloured rings of the Olympic Games logo. Both Aqua Terra Chronograph models have a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides and water resistant to 150 metres.
Meanwhile, Omega has also presented the De Ville Vision Annual Calendar with the new generation of Omega Manufacture Calibres first introduced in 2007. The Omega 8611 is a high-precision COSC-certified chronometer featuring the added functionality of an instantaneous jump annual calendar complication. |
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| TAG Heuer introduces four new, exclusive watch collections |
TAG Heuer has introduced the new professional sports watch, which has ergonomic and shock-absorbing attributes. Inspired by tennis ace Maria Sharapova, the new model’s fashion-forward colour pink and its avant-garde design captures the feminine quintessence of the young tennis champion. The ultra-slim watch is ultra-comfortable, super-resistant and elegant.
In other related news, TAG Heuer has also introduced the Aquaracer Lady Jewellery Collection. The Aquaracer Lady is very feminine and sporty and features a white mother-of-pearl dial decorated with 10 sparkling Top Wesselton diamonds (0.098 carats). The Carrera Lady Mechanical Calibre 4 Jewellery Collection features an ultra-feminine watch inspired by the world of professional motor racing. Finally, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph diamonds is a dazzling timepiece brilliantly studded with 120 diamonds on the bezel. |
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| Longines unfurls new sport collection in the Middle East |
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The new Longines conquest is the quintessential expression of the brand’s sporting elegance. Special attention has been paid to the aesthetics of the bezel, the cabochon crown and the black ceramic links that make up the bracelet. The Conquest line meets the requirements of the most demanding sport—water resistant to 300 metres, lateral protection for the crown and 41 mm diameter stainless steel case. |
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| Tissot to introduce ‘Heritage 2008’ at Baselworld |
| Tissot will unfurl its new ‘Heritage 2008’ watch at Baselworld. Designed for watch connoisseurs and design purists, the ‘Heritage 2008’ is a limited re-edition of a Tissot automatic watch from 1944. The model sports a steel case, a see-through caseback and the same two-toned silvered satined dial as the original. Available in trend setting brown or black leather strap, the Tissot ‘Heritage 2008’ is produced in a limited edition of 3333 units. |
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| Favre Leuba introduces 300-year old watchmaking tradition to the Middle East |
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Exclusive timepieces from Maison Favre Elba, the eminent brand with a 300-year old watch making tradition will now be available in the Middle East through UAE-headquartered pan Gulf watch & jewellery retailer Damas. “We are very pleased to partner with Damas for the launch of our brand in the Middle East. This new collection embodies contemporary watch making excellence and is a fitting tribute to the extraordinary features of the brand,” said Clement Brunet-More, CEO, Favre Leuba. |
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| Scintilla Monaco to launch new floral-inspired pendant collection in the UAE |
| Scintilla Monaco will launch a new collection of delicate and elegant pendants inspired by the beauty of flowers and its piece de resistance—The Piece of the Month chain. The collection is available across six stores across the UAE. |
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| Marco Bicego to launch new 2008 collection in UAE |
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Marco Bicego, Founder & Creator of the Italian premium jewellery brand bearing his namesake, will introduce his new 2008 collection in conjunction with exclusive agent Damas in the UAE on 19 March 2008. |
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| Yeslam introduces unique Aviator watch |
| Yeslam has introduced ‘The Aviator’ watch, which has an integrated flight computer that can be used for in-flight calculations as well as flight planning calculations of the True Airspeed (TAS), the only watch to do so. The designer is a knowledgeable pilot himself with an accumulated 3,500 hours of flight time experience. |
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| Dalumi presents its ‘Fate’ Collection |
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Dalumi has recently presented its ‘Fate’ collection for contemporary women featuring the daring and classic designs in 3-dimensional shapes. It is available in either 18-carat yellow or white gold framing diamonds ranging from 0.15 to 1.00 carat. The ‘Fate’ collection was first launched at the 25th Hong Kong International Jewellery Show held in early March 2008. |
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| Spanish Jeweller to present new ‘Xigera’ collection at Baselworld 2008 |
| Spanish jewellery Luxenter will present its new ‘Xigera’ collection Spring-Summer 2008 at Baselworld 2008. The brand will also unveil its first men collection at the exhibition venue. |
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| Grovana to launch brand new watches at Baselworld 2008 |
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A complete range of brand new watches will be launched by Swiss brand Grovana at Baselworld 2008. One of the highlights is the ‘Day Retrograde’—combining elegance, simplicity and functionality in one. The Day Retrograde model has a Big Date function and small second at 6.00 o’clock in an all stainless steel case. |
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| Goms Jewellery introduces new ‘Peace’ Collection |
| Portuguese Jeweller Goms, will introduce its new ‘Peace’ Collection, part of the ‘Inside’ series to reflect what is important inside each of us. The inner peace, represented by the diamonds, is essential on the ‘Inside’ mood. The collection is created and designed by Rui Goms, the brand owner. |
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| Baume & Mercier introduces new ilea collection for women |
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With diamonds and steel, polished and satin-brushed surfaces, the new Baume & Mercier ilea watch is a study in contrasts in this partially gem-set version. The oval dial graced with a finely guilloche ‘Curve’ motif accentuates the model’s flowing lines and understated elegance of a timeless design. The dial has ‘Dauphine-style rhodium-plated appliqués, is water resistant to 30 metres and the round shaped case has the date function at 6.00 o’clock. |
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| ‘Time Floats’ private exhibition to be held in Geneva in April 2008 |
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‘Time Floats’, a private exhibition of fine luxury watches will be held in Geneva from 9 to 11 April 2008. This exhibition is organized by three luxury Swiss watch brands—HD3, Instruments (founded in 2004 by Jorg Hysek) & Mesures du Temps (founded in 2005 by Pablo Dana)and Golay Spierer (founded in 2001 by Christophe Golay & Emile Spierer) and will take place on board Le Savoie Boat in front of the Beau-Rivage Hotel. |
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| World Gold Council appoints new Chairman |
| The World Gold Council (WGC) has recently announced the appointment of Greg Wilkins, President & CEO of Barrick Gold Corporation to succeed Pierre Lassonde as Chairman of the WGC with immediate effect. Commenting on his appointment, Greg Wilkins said: “I feel honoured to be given the opportunity to play a part in driving the WGC’s mandate to develop the sustainable demand for gold”. |
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