Dubai Watch Week, the city’s best known horological event that brings together industry executives, collectors and enthusiasts returns in November this year. Here’s what we know so far.
1. This year’s event to be held from November 16-20 will be held at a new, purpose-built structure underneath The Gate, DIFC.
2. Dubai Watch Week is set to become a biennial event and the next edition will be held only in 2020. “Since Dubai Watch Week is going to be a biennial event from now on, the next event should have been in 2019 but we decided to bring it back in 2020 since the city will be hosting the Dubai Expo 2020 event,” said Hind Seddiqi, chief marketing and communications Officer - Seddiqi Holding, the organizers of the event.
3. This year’s theme is ‘Classic and contemporary’ and will “explore the evolution of watchmaking by bringing the industry’s rich heritage to light as well as championing its innovation and creativity - connecting the past to the present.” Expect to see more watchmaking masterclasses, creative hubs and panel discussions this year.
4. The event will bring together more than 40 industry icons and collectors who will share their insights on some of the most debated and trending topics in horology. Speakers include John Reardon, international head of Christie's watch department; Ben Clymer, founder and CEO of Hodinkee; Francois-Paul Journe, founder of the eponymous F.P Journe brand and Claude Sfeir, a well-known collector.
5. A new attraction this year is the introduction of Auction Room. Held in in collaboration with Christie’s, visitors can learn more about the world of auctions. Divided into three segments, the auction room will provide visitors with the opportunity to evaluate their watches, attend masterclasses, and learn how to bid at auctions. In a first, children will be given the opportunity to bid at a family-day auction.
6. There will be two exhibitions during Dubai Watch Week this year. Visitors will be able to discover the evolution of the watch industry through a curated exhibition titled ‘Classic and contemporary’ which will present timepieces from heritage and new brands. On display will be vintage timepieces, new models or designs inspired by historical watchmaking or techniques.
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7. Fondation De La Haute Horlogerie (FHH) will curate ‘Telling Time’, a representation of works and timepieces by contemporary artists and designers, which all shares the same desire to tell time.
8. The Mastery of Time is a virtual reality experience that puts visitors at the center of watchmaking’s milestone inventions. Experience the importance of marine chronometers in the 19th century through the eyes of a sailor navigating the high-seas or board a steam locomotive with nothing but your pocket watch to keep you running precisely to schedule.
9. Last year, a clutch of brands unveiled limited editions during the event. For this year, five brands have already confirmed limited editions, the organizers said.
10. On November 17, Ben Clymer will moderate a panel discussion that will discuss major horological icons and pour forth on some of the most celebrated timepieces today, cue Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona (pictured above). Titled ‘Icons and Classics’, the panelists include John Reardon; Mohammed Seddiqi, Marco Borraccino, Pascal Ravessoud. You don’t want to miss this one.
For more information, log on to the official website. www.dubaiwatchweek.com
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