Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are among the world’s top five countries that enjoy the densest concentration of millionaires, according to a recent report in Emirates Business 24X7, a business daily published in the UAE.

A published global wealth report by the Boston Consulting Group entitled ‘A Wealth of Opportunities in Turbulent Times’, the wealth management opportunities in the Middle East are mainly centred in the UAE. The report added that the total GCC market had an estimated USD $ 1.5 trillion in assets under management (AuM) and the average AuM of a weekly household was USD $ 1.0 million in the region, well above the global average of USD $ 400,000 for wealthy households.

A stunning 102.56-carat Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond Necklace estimated to be worth between USD $ 7.5 million to USD $ 9.5 million was displayed in Dubai recently in advance of its sale in the Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite 2008 Autumn Sale at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre on 7 October 2008. The yellow diamond, the largest of its kind in the world ever to appear at an auction, was shown by Quek Chin Yeow, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s Asia and Head of the Jewellery Department.

Antiquorum Auctioneers will auction timepieces from important brands such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, A. Lange & Sohne and a Longines that was once owned by Albert Einstein on 16 October at its US headquarters on Madison Avenue in New York. The Einstein watch was presented to the physicist on 16 February 1931 in Los Angeles. It is a fine, tonneau-shaped, 14K yellow gold wristwatch.

A five-pound blister pearl found in the waters off the Philippines has been authenticated as one of the largest, most valuable pearls ever to be discovered and documented. The brain-shaped specimen—a giant, non-nacreous natural blister pearl, was found in the giant clam Tridacna Gigas and measures over six inches in length.

Owned by Hadjzad Biteng, the pearl is clearly the most valuable pearls of its kind in the world today, according to David Bidwell, senior appraiser, of EGL USA’s appraisal affiliate, Universal Gemmological Services.

On the occasion of its 10^th anniversary, Vertu, the British-based manufacturer and retailer of luxury mobile telephones has unveiled the iconic Vertu Signature model at a lavish launch party in Paris in the presence of leading celebrities and by-invitation only socialites and press personnel. The event was hosted by Alberto Torres, CEO, Vertu and was attended by Frank Nuovo, Head of Design.

The company is independently run and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Finnish mobile phone manufacturer Nokia. The brand’s mobile is hand-made in its factories in Church Crookham, United Kingdom.

The AWJ Newsletter Broadcast and Arabian Watches & Jewellery (AWJ) Magazine, the flagship publication of the MPParabia Group was a special invitee to this milestone launch and will publish the full transcript of the exclusive, one-on-one interview with Mr. Alberto Torres in the next (October-November 2008) Edition of AWJ Magazine.

Celebrating the brand’s new Love Jewellery Collection including the Love Charity bracelet, launched for the 3^rd year, the House of Cartier held a Charity Dinner in Lebanon for raising funds for various humanitarian causes in the region. A total of USD $ 93,000 was raised at this reception and went to the benefit of children with heart diseases. Love Charity bracelet supports the Heart Beat Association.

The guest list included Lebanon’s prominent celebrities and VIPs including Johann Vekarmen, Belgian Ambassador to Lebanon; former Miss Lebanon Clemence Achkar; Miss Lebanon Nadine Njeim; Collette Al Helani and TV presenter Seina Al Rassi. At the function, Patrick Normand, Managing Director, Cartier Middle East, took the opportunity to thank the guests for their contributions showing their commitment by joining hands with Cartier to support the Heart Beat Association’s noble cause.

As part of its expansionist network in Japan, Officine Panerai has opened its first new boutique in the glitzy centre of Ginza, the heart of Tokyo’s shopping centre. The Panerai boutique is situated on Namiki Street, which houses several well-known international names in fashion and jewellery brands in the Japanese capital. The showroom area of the boutique is characterized by an Italian design concept inspired by the sea, the element of which has always accompanied the history of Panerai Watches. The boutique has porthole-shaped display panels that recall marine fittings, shop windows that take on the shape of ocean waves and furnishing details that echo diving suits and divers’ equipment.

Swiss watch brand Perrelet, founded in 1777, has appointed American pop and R & B queen Lutricia McNeal as their chosen Ambassadress for their watch brand. The character and bewitching glamour of Perrelet’s ladies collection caught the attraction of the singer who first came to Europe two decades ago. For the world premiere launch of her new single ‘Same Same Same’, she displays her new Perrelet model, ‘Diamond Flower’, dedicated to ladies in search of authenticity and precision.

Simultaneously, Perrelet has also nominated the Bryan twin brothers—Bob and Mike, the world’s double tennis champions, as its Brand Ambassadors. Top seeds for the third consecutive year and bronze medalists at the recent Olympic Games in Beijing, Bob and Mike two professional doubles icons. The partnership between the winning double act and Perrelet was formalized during the last US Open Tournament.

Blancpain debuted an exclusive edition of the Fifty Fathoms Automatique, limited to only 20 units, to celebrate its fourth appearance at the Cannes Boat Show in September 2008. This 45 mm timepiece offers a stainless steel case, white dial, white sapphire bezel and white sailcloth strap. It is powered by a 1315 automatic winding movement with a five-day power reserve. Fifty Fathoms is equipped with antimagnetic shielding and solid case back. The Cannes edition is furnished with a rugged orange waterproof box suitable for sporting use.

Top-notch Swiss watchmaker Jaquet Droz has launched two historical timepieces. These include the ‘Grande Seconde Sports Watch’ featuring an ultra-masculine design and the ‘Reserve de Marche Ceramique’, a symbol of the brand’s remarkable technical achievements.

The Grande Seconde Sports Watch with sleek, harmonious lines draws its inspiration from a heritage rooted in the mastery of complicated mechanisms. The claws and horns carved into a solid metal are hollowed out to accentuate the sporty look of the watch that is water resistant to 88 metres. The lugs protect the crown and finely fluted, the bezel gives the timepiece a touch of pedigree.

The Reserve de Marche Ceramique, a new addition to the ‘Hommage Geneve 1784’ Collection, is elegant and refined in absolute black with just a hint of red. The dial is set in a 44 mm case made of ceramic black. It has a black opaline dial, 68-hour power reserve, integrated black rubber strap and is produced in a limited edition of 88 pieces.

Paspaley, the world’s leading South Sea pearl company celebrates the top accessory of the season, the classic pearl strands, with highlight pieces from the Paradis and Dolce collections. Paspaley’s exacting standards ensure that each pearl is carefully selected for quality, luster, color, size and shape, making every strand truly special.

“These exclusive offerings once again assert the timeless beauty of pearl strands. With these new collections, the region’s pearl jewellery lovers can now choose from a wide variety of stunning strands complemented by white and yellow gold and by coloured stones and diamonds in some select pieces,” said Pegah Goldooz, General Manager, Paspaley, UAE.

Rama Swiss Watches’ (RSW) symbolic concept store Collette at the Rue St. Honore in Paris represents its ‘Outland’ line. The case features angular geometric shapes and structures that are eye-catching. Its design is inspired by the retrofuturist movement of the 1980s, a period in which architecture was a privileged mode of expression and a concept that is loyally incarnated by the ‘Outland’ timepiece.

Catamaran Swiss chronograph-tachymeter watches has launched the ‘Seal 8051’ collection. This 42 mm diameter watch with high resistant stainless steel case is made of Swiss quartz movement and is water resistant to 660 feet. It is available with five different dials; assorted water-repellant leather straps and one-year international warranty.

Damas has brought a sparkling new collection of ‘Precious’ watches for women to the UAE. Precious watches are targeted for women looking for contemporary elegance and are embellished with genuine diamonds of the finest quality and precious gems, real leather and stainless steel, all complemented by precise Swiss movement.

The collections released include ‘Charms’ with its exquisite rings of diamonds and whimsical numbers; ‘Gardens’ collection with a circlet of diamonds on the face reminiscent of formal gardens and the ‘Hearts’ collection conveying sophistication and haute couture with diamonds set in stylish styles.

The 27^th Edition of the 33,329 sq. m., long-established Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2008, the largest industry exhibition of its kind that prides in the biggest number of watch exhibitors in the world, recently concluded on an upbeat note in Asia’s World City. It was held from 3 to 7 September 2008 at the sprawling, multi-storey Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The time-honoured Fair, a major fixture on the Hong Kong exhibitions calendar, was organized jointly under the auspices of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the metropolis’ top apex international trade promotion body (with more than 40 offices worldwide) in conjunction with two industry associations—The Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association (HKWMA) and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd (HKWTI).

Exports of Hong Kong watches and clocks totaled USD $ 3.3 billion for H1-2008, up 17.0 % for the corresponding period last year. Exports to the Chinese Mainland, Europe (Germany, Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom) and the United states enjoyed double-digit growth. Hong Kong is the world’s number two exporter of watches (next only to Switzerland) and clocks (next to Mainland China).

The Exhibition’s colourful inaugural ceremony at the Convention Centre’s Bauhinia Room (named after Hong Kong’s floral emblem) was attended by several top officials from the Government and the Industry. Prominent among these was Henry Tang, Chief Secretary for the Administration; Fred Lam, Executive Director & Raymond Yip, Assistant Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC); Stanley Lau, HKTDC Watches & Clocks Advisory Committee; Jerry Tsang, Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd. and Anthony Cheung & Kenneth Wong, Co-Chairmen of the Fair Organizing Committee.

A total of 762 exhibitors, drawn from 19 Asian, European countries and the USA, participated in the Exhibition including the debut showing by Spain and Thailand. Countries with Group Pavilions included Mainland China, Korea and Taiwan. The prominent exhibitor from Dubai, UAE was the youthful and dynamic Wissam Aljord, Marketing Director, Chronograph International representing top brands Daniel Hechter and Ted Lapidus.

Buying missions were also very much in evidence with 63 groups from 49 countries and regions comprising 2696 buyers representing 1720 companies.

Visitor turnout was equally impressive with a total attained attendance figure of 17,038, registering a 6.5 % growth over the 2007 visitor turnout of 16000. Of these, the overseas contingent constituted 6725 visitors with 10313 local visitors. Overseas official visitors came mainly from Asia (4437), Europe (1106), North America (456) followed by the Middle East (378), Latin America, Australia and Africa.

It has been announced that Frost 08, the 11^th Winter Edition of Joaillerie Liban Exhibition to be held from 5 to 9 December 2008 at the Beirut International Exhibition Centre in the downtown of the Lebanese capital.

Joaillerie Liban has earned the official support of the Lebanese Syndicate of Jewellers. It is positioned as the leading luxury event in Lebanon bringing together hundreds of the finest local and international jewellery and watch designers, manufacturers and retailers, representing a unique, yet diverse array of world-class merchandise reflecting global and regional trends.

The First Edition of the Tokyo International Watch Fair (TWF) will debut in January 2009 to run concurrently with International Jewellery Tokyo (IJT) to be held from 21 to 24 January 2009. Both Fairs are expected to attract over 41,000 visitors and an impressive 100-exhibitor lineup is expected from Japan, Switzerland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, USA, Russia and Italy among other countries.

During the show period, TWF will also hold educational seminars for watch industry professionals over two days, 22 and 23 January 2008. The range of seminar topics will extend from branding of fashion watches and current watch trends to a practical hands-on seminar for watch repair and sales.