What a whirlwind Dubai Watch Week has been with new releases dropping on us like Santa and Christmas showed up early. Dubai Watch Week was simply all aces. The selection of watches was incredible from new releases to watches that have previously graced the market. The insightful horology forums that made all participants leave with food for thought and of course the brilliant selection of masterclasses that had wait lists which indicate the thirst for knowledge in the region. The best part for me however was the human part, reuniting with the #watchfam at Cipriani was everything I hoped that reunion would be.
But let’s get down to business. Here is my list of favorites from Dubai Watch Week that you absolutely must check out.
1. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Self Winding Flying Tourbillon
What makes this bad bay special is that it was specially crafted for the Middle Eastern market. This time pieces features a titanium case, a sunburst salmon dial and eastern Arabic numeral hour markers. The downside is that it is limited to 25 pieces making this one of the most impossible to get releases from Dubai Watch Week.
2. Hublot’s Classic Fusion Chronograph Concrete Sand
Hublot and Ahmed Seddiqi and Sons Celebrate the UAE’s Golden Jubilee with this special time piece. The dial features actual sand from the UAE deserts while the straps are made of fine camel leather. Concrete elements are also featured in this watch that signifies the UAE’s Urban development. The watch is limited to 100 pieces.
3. Chopard Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF
The beauty of this watch is that it combines the comfort of titanium with the strength of an elegant chronometer. And ofcourse like all good things in life it comes in a limited edition of 250 pieces.
4. Tag Heuer Carrera Middle East Limited Edition
This beauty was pre launched during Dubai Watch Week. If you are in the market for a spectacular green dial then this is the watch for you thanks to its vibrant emerald green color. The watch is elegant, striking, and pays tribute to the region with its Arabic numerals and date window at 6 o’clock.
5. Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1
This watch has got to be my all-time favorite. 95 percent of this time piece is made using hand operated tools just like things used to be in the original days of watch making. This time piece requires 6000 hours of work to be created which is approximately 3 years of a watch makers life time. You literally will be carrying the time and passion of traditional watchmaking on your wrist with this true to history creation.
6. Girard Perregaux Esmeralda Tourbillon
This watch was created to pay tribute to Girard Perregaux 230th anniversary. This wrist watch employs the maisons legendary watch making know how as well as its renowned artistic crafts. The watch employs a secret mechanism and the CEO of GP has called this the most ambitious creation the brand has released to date. By pressing the crown pusher the secret cover opens to reveal a self winding movement.
7. Jacob & Co Bugatti Chiron Green Sapphire Crystal Time Piece
Last but most certainly not least is the Bugatti Green Sapphire Crystal. This Watch is a masterpiece of design and engineering. The watch case is made completely out of Sapphire Crystal which is an extremely difficult and unique achievement in watchmaking. The watch also pays tribute to the hyper sports Car Bugatti as every aspect of this watch was designed with codes that are true to Bugatti’s DNA. The back of the watch is designed to look like a car dashboard with two crowns and a pusher that winds the watch, sets the time, and activates the engine animation.
