Earlier rumors published by the AWJ webletter on the Qatar-Harrods buyout have been confirmed. The investment arm of Qatar sovereign wealth fund has bought London luxury department store Harrods from Egyptian business tycoon Mohammed Al Fayed. The deal is estimated to be worth around USD 2.3 billion. Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani stated on this occasion, Qatar Holding will do their best to upgrade this monument, to make it even greater and better for tourism and also for the British people.

Dubai gold industry was worth $29 billion last year. Approximately 25 tons of gold is present at any given time in Dubai gold and jewellery retail outlets, the 7th Dubai City of Gold Conference organized by the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (DGJG), was told. Compared with the previous year, Dubai gold exports rose by nine percent in 2009. Statistics from the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCCA) show that the emirate imported 576 tons of the precious metal in 2009, significantly higher that the average annual figure of 498 tons.

Scarlett Johansson wore Harry Winston 2-ct. round brilliant diamond ear studs to the world premiere of Iron Man 2 held at Hollywood El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, California on 26 April 2010.

Swiss watchmaker Longines and CNN International have signed an exclusive advertising partnership on 24 March 2010 on CNN new tennis programme, Open Court. Hosted by the former Australian champion Pat Cash, the show is broadcast in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Pacific Asia and Latin America. The firm from Saint-Imier thus draws slightly closer the ties that have bound it for many years to this sport, particularly through its ambassadors Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.

During the 9th Luxury and Creation Conference held in Paris on 15 March 2010, Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot received the remarkable Special Jury Prize. The Jury Special Prize was awarded to Jean-Claude Biver in recognition for his exceptional career and bold approach, and also for his sense of management and innovation. Other watchmakers in the spotlight were enamel worker Dominique Baron and engraver Olivier Vaucher, who won the Talent for Elegance award for their contribution to Van Cleef & Arpels collections. Among the nominees the following names standout: Maximilian Busser (Talent for Boldness), Richard Mille (Talent for Originality and Talent d or) and founder of the French watch manufacture BRM Bernard Richards (Talent for Innovation).

OMEGA, widely known for its role as Official Timekeeper at the Olympic Games, has signed an agreement with the Diamond League AG confirming that it will provide the same services to the new IAAF Diamond League circuit in its 2010 inaugural season. The 14 meetings planned for 2010 replace the Golden League, whose six meetings were contested exclusively in Europe. The IAAF Diamond League will still include the most prestigious events on the European athletics calendar but will also feature meetings in China and the United States and will kick off its ambitious schedule in Doha, Qatar on the 14th of May. OMEGA has served as Official Timekeeper at 24 Olympic Games since 1932 and recently extended its agreement with the International Olympic Committee through 2020.

The Global Champions Tour (GCT), the most prestigious championship in show jumping today, is proud to announce that Jaeger-LeCoultre will be their official partner and time keeper for the next three seasons. This year the renowned Swiss watchmaker will start with a presence on three events: Hamburg, the French Riviera with the well-known glamorous show of Cannes, and the home of the GCT in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. During the three European events, guests will be welcomed in the Jaeger-LeCoultre VIP area, where they will discover the latest timepieces from La Grande Maison.

Ritmo Mundo has moved their location to Two Rodeo, Beverly Hills, California. Two Rodeo is home to the worlds most luxurious boutiques, restaurants and salons, serving as the ultimate shopping experience for the most discerning clientele in the heart of Beverly Hills. The new location offers a contemporary design and showroom featuring current Ritmo Fun and Classic collections along with Special and Limited Edition timepieces.

Following the success of the Big Bang created for the Mexican Football Federation in 2007, Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver presented the new edition to Javier Aguirre, the trainer who will lead the national team in the forthcoming 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The new FMF Aero Bang, black ceramic watch features red and green details on its open worked skeleton dial and on its hands, reflecting Mexicos national colours. In addition, Hublot has declared its renewed support for triple Olympic medalist Bode Miller to the 2011 World Championships. The brand is the first sponsor to announce its partnership with Bode Miller since his success in the recent Winter Olympics.

Perrelet Big Date Chronograph is for connoisseurs who value classic models or specialists in sports watches. Classic, pleasing and easy to use, the chronograph watch can turn into an instrument at any moment, where watchmaker precision is required to measure sporting performances. With both the classic and sports versions, the chronograph functions totalize the hours, minutes and seconds and share the available space ingeniously in the structured and balanced arrangement of the counters. In the upper segment, Perrelet has chosen to offer a big date window for better legibility.

The Dubai Pearl Exchange (DPE), a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) in conjunction with the Dubai City of Gold Gala has hosted the Pearl Essence Award Ceremony on 2 May 2010. The eleven students were felicitated during the ceremony held at Level 2, the Almas Tower, home to the Dubai Pearl Exchange. Pearl Essence was conceived by the DPE as an International Pearl Jewellery Design program specifically focused on pearl-based jewellery designs, influenced by the rich pearling heritage of Arabia and represented in a modern and contemporary fashion.

Christie at its eight auction of International Modern and Contemporary Art, estimated at $4.8 million, realized $15,122,125 / AED55,528,443, selling 96 percent by value and 86 percent by lot. This is an extraordinary result which reflects the quality of the sale and the passion of the collectors that Christie has helped to bring to this fascinating market during the past 3 years. It is extremely rare for a sale in any market to triple its pre-sale estimate. The top price of the sale was paid for Mahmoud Said (Egyptian 1897-1964) Les Chadoufs, of 1934, setting a record for any modern painting by any Middle Eastern artist, selling for an extraordinary $2,434,500 / AED8,939,484.

Alfred Dunhill celebrated the opening of its new Hong Kong home in the prestigious Princes Building on 23 April 2010. Spread over three floors, the new home offers a range of options including a bespoke tailoring service, a fine wine reserve by Berry Bros & Rudd and Alfies restaurant and bar by KEE. Further entertainment was provided by talented DJ Simon Pang and Mark de CliveLowe as well as a performance by a master magician. Spotted at the event were Mr. Andrew Seaton, British Consul-General to Hong Kong & Macao and his wife Mrs. Seaton, as well as Mr. & Mrs. Christian & Maria Rhomberg, Ms Mara Rhomberg, Mr. Andrew Yuen, Mrs. Yvette Yuen, Mr. Alan Chan, Ms Michelle Cheng, Ms Kay Li and Mr. Gordon Lam, just to name a few.