Third edition of Dubai Watch Week brings watchmaking a step forward

Dubai Watch Week (16th-20th November 2017) is a global platform dedicated to the preservation of watchmaking culture and heritage by creating one of the largest non-commercial events for the international watch community. Founded in 2015 by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the event provides an intimate environment for collectors, brands, watchmakers and members of the media to interact and share knowledge. Held under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Dubai Watch Week supports the men and women that have dedicated their life to the pursuit of horological perfection.

  

Abdulhamied Ahmed Seddiqi (Vice Chairman, Seddiqi Holding)

The five days extensive agenda included exhibitions (Contemporary watchmaking, with some of the best contemporary watch brands; an exhibition by Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie; and another booth entirely dedicated to the winners of this year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve), talks, Watchmaking Masterclasses, Watch-Craft Masterclasses, Creative Hubs, an auction room (in collaboration with Christie’s), and the Horlogy Forum, an intellectual space comprised of free flowing discussion between leading watch curators, pioneers, authors, historians, writers, collectors, brands and industry professionals, with more than 45 speakers.

Some of the topics we heard more frequently were: social media, millennials, and e-commerce; sign that also watchmaking, which have always been very conservative, is finally evolving and reaching new generations of enthusiasts and collectors.

Once more Dubai Watch Week positions itself as one of the most prestigious Watchmaking events worldwide; and as the best intellectual and cultural Watchmaking exhibition ever made.

Horology Forum

From left Felix Baumgartner (Founder, Urwerk), Jean-Marc Wiederrecht (Owner and CEO, AGENHOR), Alexis Georgacopoulos (Director, ECAL-University of Art and Design Lausanne), Kurt Klaus (Legendary Watchmaker, IWC), moderated by Suzanne Wong (Editor at large, Revolution)

Jean-Marc Wiederrecht (Owner and CEO, AGENHOR)

Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi (Chief Commercial Officer, Seddiqi Holding)

From left Pascal Raffy (Owner of Bovet), Francois-Paul Journe (Founder, F.P. Journe),Pascal Ravessoud (Secretary-General of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie Cultural Council), Theo Staub (Chairman of Moritz Grossmann), moderated by Ian Skellern (Co-Founder and Technical Editor at Quill & Pad)

From left Xavier de Roquemaurel (CEO, Czapek & Cie), Edouard Meylan (CEO, H. Moser & Cie), Maximilian Büsser (CEO & Creative Director, MB&F), Stephane Von Bueren (Business Director Watches at Christie’s), moderated by Stacy Perman (Freelance Journalist)

Vacheron Constantin’s Creative Hub, while launching the new Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar Collection Excellence Platine

Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar Collection Excellence Platine, limited to 100 pieces

Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve Exhibition

Tourbillon and Escapement watch prize Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton

“Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix Chopard L.U.C. Full Strike

Stephen Forsey (Co-Founder of Greubel Forsey) explaining the Greubel Forsey QP à Équation

Mechanical Exception Watch Prize Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600

Christie’s Auction Room

Young watch lovers learn how to bid during an auction!

Engraving Watch Craft Masterclass with Tiago Aires Sergio (Bovet)

Hind Abdul Hamied Seddiqi (VP of Marketing at Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons) engraving a watch during the Masterclass

Kurt Klaus (IWC’s Legendary Watchmaker) during his Watchmaking Masterclass

Mr. Klaus working on a movement

Masterclass attendee

Youngest Masterclass attendee!

And now some photos of the contemporary exhibition

Stephen Forsey shows his creations to a visitor

Bovet Recital 20 Asterium

URWERK – UR-210 Unique Piece for Dubai Watch Week with Arabic engraving by Florian Güllert

MB&F + L’Epee Octopod

MB&F Legacy Machine 2

Vacheron Constantin PRE-SIHH 2018 novelties