The 2016 Dubai Watch Week will be held from November 15 to 19, its organiser Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons has announced.

Now in its second edition following a successful debut last year, the event will be held under the patronage of HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. 

Commenting on the event, Sheikha Latifa said: “Design is at the heart of any creative initiative, and Dubai Watch Week presents the world’s cutting edge trends in the horological design landscape. Through Dubai Culture, we are focused on promoting the creative industry and supporting ventures that further establish the city as a vibrant centre for designers from all spheres of creative activity to meet, interact and collaborate.” 

She continued: “The Arab world’s rich cultural legacy has the potential to be an impetus behind new ideas and designs in the industry of watchmaking. It is our hope that the second edition of Dubai Watch Week will serve as an inspiration for industry experts, designers and the public to appreciate the fine art of watchmaking, as well as the design and technological aspects of the world’s trend-setting timepieces.”

Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons Vice Chairman Abdul Hamied Seddiqi said: “Education is a key area of focus at Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, as it has been our mission for more than 60 years to increase the understanding of and passion for watchmaking in the Middle East.   Dubai Watch Week has education at the heart of its annual platform, through workshops, discussions, and mentorship opportunities that engage both existing and emerging members of the watch community in topics of both historical and contemporary significance to the industry.”

The 2016 edition of Dubai Watch Week (DWW) will continue to celebrate the dedication, innovation and achievements in the world of horology while focusing on the culture and history of the watch industry.  

The five-day event aims to engage the watch community both regionally and internationally through the region’s only dedicated horology event. 

“Following the unprecedented success of our inaugural Dubai Watch Week in 2015, we are delighted to see a shift in the trends in the regional watch industry. The horology market is evolving and consumers are engaged beyond the pure aesthetics of a timepiece, now keen to learn about timepieces from a cultural and historical aspect. The market is now interested in the experiences and individual stories behind each brand; including the technical movements, materials, and mechanisms employed,” said Melika Yazdjerdi, Director of Dubai Watch Week and Head of Corporate Communications at Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons. “We look forward to bringing a second edition of Dubai Watch Week to serve the needs and interests of this growing market; from those starting their journey through the world of watchmaking to established collectors seeking more in-depth knowledge in the realm of horology.”

The inaugural Dubai Watch Week took place in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in Dubai, UAE, last October. 

Organised by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and in association with Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), the event offers a journey of discovery into the world of fine Swiss watchmaking. 

The event celebrates the achievements of the watch industry through a cultural and educational platform that includes the GPHG exhibition, forums, workshops and an auction. 

Established in 1950, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is one of the Middle East’s most trusted destinations for luxury watches and jewellery. Recognised as a pioneer among leading retailers in the region, the family-owned company represents more than 60 luxury timepiece brands across 65 locations in the UAE.