Twelve timepieces were bestowed with the prestigious Middle East “Watch of the Year” Awards during a private gala event held last week at the Ritz-Carlton DIFC in Dubai, UAE. 

Now in their 12^th year, the awards are designed to recognise watchmaking excellence; winners are judged by an independent group of regional watch connoisseurs.

Rounding up the third annual edition of Salon des Grandes Complications (November 7 to 10), the gala and awards - sponsored by Maserati - was attended by over 300 of the region’s most prominent watch companies, collectors, retailers and industry leaders. Guests enjoyed a red carpet cocktail reception followed by dinner served during the ceremony, all centred around the evening’s “reach for the stars” theme designed to tie up the relationship of time-telling with stars and other celestial bodies.

“Watch of the Year” aims to establish industry standards across the Middle East and raise awareness of watch culture, whilst drawing focus to the region as a hub for horological companies, collectors and those with a passion for Haute Horlogerie. Watchmaking companies were recognised for their contribution to the industry and performance across 12 different categories. 

The winning timepieces and respective categories were:

▪ Best Multi-Time Zone Watch – Arnold & Son DTE Instrument Collection

▪ Best Tourbillon Watch – De Bethune DB28 Kind of Blue Tourbillon

▪ Best Classical Watch – Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Date Sand

▪ Best High-End Jewelled Watch – Chopard Imperiale – Rainbow watch

▪ Best Technical Innovation Watch – Ulysse Nardin Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon

▪ Best Sports Watch – Officine Panerai Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT Automatic Acciaio - 44mm Blue Dial

▪ Best Men’s Watch – Cartier Drive de Cartier

▪ Best Ladies’ Watch – Roger Dubuis Blossom Velvet Pink

▪ Best Chronograph Watch – Louis Moinet Memoris 200th Anniversary

▪ Best Design Watch – Montblanc Collection Villeret Tourbillon Cylindrique Pocket Watch 110 Years Edition – 8 pieces

▪ Best Independent Watch Brand – Bovet 1822

▪ Best Digital Watch – Casio G-Shock Frogman GWF-D1000

Nominated brands were judged by a panel of experts including Sheikh Mohamed Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Mishal Kanoo, Yousef Al Nowais and Roberta Naas, and results were independently adjudicated by law firm Morgan Lewis.

“I am pleased to be part of the Middle East Watch of the Year awards once again. I have always been passionate about watches, and follow the industry closely, so it is exciting for me to be involved in the regions only such awards,” said Adel Ibrahim Yousuf, jury member and well-known watch collector.