The 13^th Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) concluded today with organisers rating the 2016 event as the best ever in its history.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Qatar, the 2016 DJWE showcased as many as 500 brands over the course of its days, a new record for the event. 

Organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), and delivered by Elan Group, DJWE 2016 took place in the new Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) for the first time. 

More than 500 brands of the world’s most sought-after and finely crafted jewels and watches exhibited at DJWE, giving visitors the unique opportunity to enjoy spectacular one-offs, new models of watches, and works of art in precious metals and gems, many of which were created specially DJWE 2016. 

“The Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition has enjoyed a superb week, during which visitor response has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Ahmed Al Mulla, Chief Operations Officer of Elan Entertainment. “Everyone involved has worked hard to make this edition of DJWE the best ever, and we are delighted with the result.”

Visitors from Doha, the region and abroad who flocked into the glimmering interiors of West Bay’s new Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, were impressed by the brand-new displays, and praised the new location at DECC in West Bay. 

In addition, DJWE 2016 saw the introduction of new activities: workshops for enthusiasts and designers to see experts at work, and a number of information seminars on jewellery and watches. Innovative Swiss watchmakers Cabestan outlined the unique chain-driven system underlying their elite exclusive range, while New-York-based jewellery house David Webb spoke about the timeless modernity of the founder’s enduringly desirable designs. 

Uniquely among the world’s jewellery trade shows, the DJWE permits exhibitors to sell directly to visitors. The prestigious International Gemological Institute (IGI) attended DJWE 2016 for the first time. The IGI brought Doha’s first ever mobile diamond jewellery testing laboratory, to provide potential buyers with on-the-spot, world-respected accreditation of the quality of each and every gem exhibited. 

The globe’s more recherché luxury watch manufacturers demonstrated very different brands of signature exclusivity. TAG Heuer took the opportunity to unveil a completely new watch, Connected, with three digital watch dials (known as faces) reproducing the appearance and function of a traditional dial from TAG Heuer's Carrera collection. Watch personalisation expert George Bamford outlined the possibilities of a range of intricately personalised coating and engraving services designed for steel sports watches.

Celebrated jewellers also unveiled new, one-off pieces with fascinating stories behind the stunning appearance. Tahitian pearl jeweller Robert Wan revealed a black pearl collar 40 years in the making, on show for the first time at DJWE 2016, while renowned jeweller Moussaieff brought a rare colour-changing necklace of pink and purple sapphires and London-based Glenn Spiro a beryl necklace containing a stone gifted in the 1920s by a Romanov exiled in Paris.

Each jewel exhibited at DJWE was evaluated before arrival for size, clarity and quality, and the exhibition standards allowed entry to only the world’s most precious metals: platinum; palladium; pure and sterling silver; and white, yellow, and rose gold. With new, more stringent selection criteria in place, and an abundance of rare and one-off creations, this year’s showcase for the world’s loveliest gems has reaffirmed Doha’s eminence among locations renowned for luxury.

The Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition is organised by Qatar Tourism Authority as part of the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030 to attract more visitors to the country.