The Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO), the countrys competition oversight watchdog, has launched an investigation against the Swatch Group unit ETA Manufacture Horlogere SA Suisse for a potential abuse of a dominant market position. Reports of the investigation appeared on the Commissions website. A pre-investigation indicated signs ETA had abused its dominant position in the market for mechanical clockworks, the Competition Commission said. A Swatch spokeswoman however said she was confident the results of the probe would clear the fog over the Group and re-establish its adherence to ethical business practices.

Under the patronage of HE Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Cultures), HE Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently inaugurated the Montblanc-organized Letters exhibition of art and calligraphy by young artists from the UAE and the Middle East at the Grand atrium of the Dubai Mall. The very foundations of civilization and culture are rooted in language and writing, commented Joe Nahhas, Regional Brand Director, Montblanc on this occasion. The exhibition will run through 3 October 2009.

Numerous celebrities from the world of film, show business and music have lent their support for Bvlgaris project to raise Euro 10 million for Save The Childrens Rewrite The Future campaign by the close of 2009, by posing for photographs wearing the silver ring specially created by Bvlgari for the campaign. The ring, the first of a collection of initiatives taken by the brand celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, is available at all Bvlgari stores throughout the UAE, Bahrain and Lebanon.

Despite the current economic recession, top UAE-based and GCC luxury lifestyle goods retailer Rivoli, nurtures ambitious expansion plans for Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Morocco & India. In an interview with a local UAE daily, Adel Al Zarouni, Managing Director, Rivoli was upbeat about the companys partnership with the Swatch Group and Dubai International Capital (DIC), who together hold a 50 percent stake in the company. According to Al Zarouni, the company aims to have between 60 to 80 retail outlets in the first phase of the business expansion to reach up to 300 stores within three years. Rivoli imports, distributes and retails more than 60 international luxury brands of high-end watches and accessories but 70 percent of its business is watches.

Swiss-made, US-based Guess GC watch brand has recently opened its newest boutique in Kuwait in partnership with national distributor Beidoun Trading Company. A total of 11 Gc boutiques are now open worldwide.

US-based and Indian-inspired fashion jewellery brand Isharya fuses the rich traditions of Indian royalty in a unique, contemporary setting. Founded in 2004 by the tag team of Radhika and Gauri Tandon, Isharya traces its brand nomenclature from the combination of names of their offspring. The vast range of distinctive shapes, delectable colours, eye-catching designs and an array of attractive, unusual materials, the beguiling Isharya collection comprises bangles, rings, earrings, pendants, necklaces, brooches and other very desirable collectibles. The brand counts Drew Barrymore, Hilary Duff and Linda Evangelista among its patrons. The Isharya collection is represented in the Middle East by Beirut, Lebanon-headquartered KHT International and available at the Boutique 1 at Jumeirah Beach Residence & Harvey Nichols in the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai as well as across the GCC, Lebanon, Egypt and Turkey.

Swiss luxury watch brand Cabestan founded four years ago by watch designer Jean-Francois Ruchonnet, creator of the famous Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical has partnered with Timothy Bovard, business entrepreneur, founder and former President of CPI, the leading book manufacturer in Europe. Based on his extensive experience, Bovard intends to reinforce and develop the Cabestan brand, taking it to new levels of creativity. This new association and synergy will allow Ruchonnet to focus on creating future designs and representing the brand while Bovard focuses on the management and development of the company.

Tilda Swinton, who received an Academy Award in 2008, wore Damiani jewels in Director Luca Guadagninos new movie Lo sono l amore that was recently presented at the 66th edition of the Venice International Film Festival. Swinton wore a ring and earrings from the brands Chignon collection.

Mikimoto, the legendary pearling pioneer and renowned jeweller, continues to enthrall and capture the minds and hearts of all jewellery lovers across the world with its dazzling pearls. Mikimoto maintains the strictest quality standards and has enumerated five physical factors that determine the quality of pearls. These are luster, surface perfection, colour, shape and size.

Tiffany & Co. has announced the roll out of the Tiffany Keys Collection, a new jewellery collection inspired by keys from the brands archives. The work of skilled gold and silversmiths, these exquisitely crafted vintage keys unlock jewellery and keepsake boxes, diaries and steamer trunks. Other keys were designed as gem-encrusted brooches and charms. According to Pegah Goldooz, General Manager, Tiffany & Co. UAE, the Tiffany Keys collection of pendants and charms are available in 18-carat yellow or rose gold, platinum with diamonds or sterling silver.

Breitling is offering an application for the iPhone and iPod Touch designed to provide a detailed functional presentation of its latest chronograph, the Chronomat B01. The Chronomat B01 iPhone application offers a precise description of the timepiece, along with its technical data, a portfolio of images, a video and 360-degree views. The Chronomat B01 chronograph has a Breitling caliber movement and comes in steel, steel & gold and 18-carat rose gold versions. Other features include water-resistance, screw-lock crowns and safety push pieces and numerous dial and strap / bracelet sections.

A new slew of premium introductions from the high-end watch and fine jewellery sectors define Swiss brand Roger Dubuis most recent collections. These include the iconic Kingsquare Tourbillon, the Kingsquare Skeleton both for men and ladies (diamond-adorned Cupid), Kingsquare haute horlogerie jewellery version-limited to only 28 units, the Excalibur triple time zone, chronograph, JFK, perpetual calendar, minute repeater and tourbillon, chromnograph with independent spilt-seconds, double tourbillon and the Easydiver. All of these models are equipped with a mechanical, self-winding movement stamped with the Poincon de Geneva quality hallmark. Also on offer are Roger Dubuis jewellery pieces comprising rings and pendants.

Iconic Italian jeweller Pasquale Bruni has introduced its delectable Promessa d Amore rings in tribute of a very special day in ones life, ones Wedding Day. These wedding bands are available in two versions, yellow gold and white gold with diamonds. One version is embellished with a diamond pave heart, while another features an engraved heart. Impressed on their gleaming surface is the bold engraving of the Italian word for love, amore.

As the main partner for the 2009 Montreux Jazz Festival, Parmigiani has created a limited edition of its Kalpa XL and Grande models with a graphic signature designed to echo the musical theme of this years Montreux festival posters. Montreux Jazz Festival founder and General Manager Claude Nobs presented Parmigiani timepieces to distinguished featured artists on this occasion.

Davidoff, the Swiss luxury brand, has recently added a new dynamic spirit to its watch collection. Following the successful launch of the successful launch of the Very Zino collection, Davidoff has again skillfully combined traditional craftsmanship with innovative spirit, working with materials such as red gold and black PVD finish, as well as black rubber as an alternative to traditional leather straps. The Very Zino collection includes, among other introductions, the gent automatic chronograph and a lady watch with a diamond-encrusted case-set, both water-resistant to 50 metres.

As part of its celebrations commemorating its 20th century, leading UAE retailer Pure Gold celebrates the Islamic Holy month of Ramadhan with a 25 Cents Diamond available in white or yellow gold with the word Allah inscribed in Arabic. According to Pure Gold Jewellers CEO & Managing Director Karim Merchant, the pendant is retailed for USD $ 215.

The 18th edition of Jewellery Arabia will be conducted at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) from 17 to 21 November 2009. For five days, the cavernous halls of BIEC will shimmer with the finest gems, jewels and exciting new watch designs as the ultimate industry showcase in the Middle East returns for a sell-out show. In total, over 600 exhibitors from 30 nations will attend this 18,000 sq. m. extravaganza. Many of these exhibiting companies have an exclusive presence in the Middle East at Jewellery Arabia, affording the throngs of an estimated 40,000+ official visitors a unique preview of the global market as perceived from this region.