Dubai Watch Week, which opened yesterday (November 24) is reuniting the global watch industry with over 45 leading watch brands showcasing their latest at the show.

The fifth edition of the event, being held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), runs till November 28.

Founded by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons in 2015, the largest and most prominent non-commercial watch event has attracted the highest number of participating exhibitors to date.

Visitors will enjoy free access to the event and will be able to immerse themselves and interact with the most notable and iconic watch brands in the industry including Rolex, Audemars Piguet, TUDOR, Hublot and Chopard all of whom will have standalone and interactive spaces on site.

Participating brands also include Akrivia, Armin Strom, Beauregard, Bell & Ross, Bovet 1822, Breitling, BVLGARI, Christophe Claret, Chronoswiss, Corum, Czapek, De Bethune, F.P. Journe, Ferdinand Berthoud, Frederique Constant, GENUS Watches, Girard-Perregaux, GoS, Greubel Forsey, H. Moser & Cie, Jacob & Co, Konstantin Chaykin, Laurent Ferrier, Louis Erard, Louis Moinet, Ludovic Ballouard, MB&F, MeisterSinger, Mont Blanc, Montres KF, Moritz Grossmann,

Norqain, Oris, PURNELL, REBELLION Timepieces, RESERVOIR-watch, Ressence, Schwarz Etienne, Singer Reimagined, TAG Heuer, Trilobe, Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk. WatchBox, the leading destination for pre-owned luxury timepieces, is also set to return with a unique space on site.

Constantly evolving, Dubai Watch Week has a Collector’s Lounge, set to gather watch lovers from across the globe. A dedicated space for watch connoisseurs to discuss the latest watch releases and horology news while interacting with peers and industry leaders, the Collector’s Lounge will also showcase the unique limited editions conceptualized by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons to commemorate the UAE’s 50th anniversary. The lounge will also feature pieces from Buben & Zorweg and Miki Eleta.

“The significance of Dubai Watch Week 2021 is apparent now more than ever, for the industry, and the economy,” says Hind Seddiqi, Director General of Dubai Watch Week.

“This year’s event will be the most engaging edition yet as we continue to transform and drive forward innovation within the watch industry. We look forward to reuniting for a moment in time with our local and global community as we celebrate our fifth edition alongside the UAE’s golden jubilee. We look forward to hosting everyone onsite – from collectors to curious residents to the youth – who can all get involved with the exciting programme.

“Our ongoing partnerships intersect multiple industries. Along with leading watch brands, pre-eminent speakers, and guests from around the world — coupled with entertainment and home-grown & international food concepts — our objective is to create an educational, experiential, and networking event like no other, one that we too continue to learn from. Dubai Watch Week is an unprecedented and inclusive experience, influencing the evolution of the global watch industry in a city that prioritises culture and innovation.”

Dubai Watch Week’s diverse programme highlights include the renowned Horology Forum — a thought-provoking series of panel discussions exploring themes and topics from “Alignment of online personas with actual identities” to “NFTs and cryptocurrencies in luxury”; masterclasses — hands-on workshops led by expert artisans; as well as the Creative Hub. As an educational and cultural platform, the programme is aimed at cultivating and sharing horological knowledge, learning from industry peers, as well as celebrating the mastery of watchmaking with everyone from brands to collectors, industry aficionados to art and culture seekers. Whilst certain programmes require pre-booking on the website, everyone is invited to explore the space spanning over 70,000 sqm in the heart of Dubai’s financial district.

A key cultural and lifestyle event on Dubai’s calendar, Dubai Watch Week brings the culture and tradition of watchmaking to the Middle East in conjunction with long-term partners, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the region’s leading retailer of luxury watches and jewellery, who founded the event in 2015; Dubai Culture & Arts Authority; Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE); Christie’s, the world’s leading art business; and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading international financial hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

The one-of-a-kind platform has evolved into one of international significance, an open-to-all event bringing some of the most knowledgeable and creative minds in the industry together to build relationships, network and engage in conversations around horology, watchmaking and beyond. The biennial event — which attracted over 9,000 visitors in 2019 — works to intersect with affiliated industries, bridge communities and further cement Dubai as a cultural hub championing education, innovation, and technological advancement.

Located under The Gate in DIFC, the purpose-built event space creates an inclusive and intimate environment for all exhibitors and visitors while offering independent and smaller brands a platform alongside industry leaders. Curated selections of heritage timepieces and seasonal collections in the Brands Exhibition will ensure that there is something new to see and experience across each of the five days, including the winning watches from the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève 2021.

Admission and participation for programme events can be registered for via the website, with free entrance for all.