The second edition of Dubai Watch Week (DWW), a global event dedicated to the craftsmanship and innovation in the watch industry, opened today (November 15) in Dubai, UAE.

The annual event is being held under the patronage of  Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice chairman of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. It is organised and curated by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, a leading name in the luxury watch market in the region.

The opening was held at The Dubai Mall with the Mastery of Time Exhibition curated by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH).

The event was attended by Hamad Buamim, president and CEO of Dubai Chamber of Commerce along with senior executives from Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons.

More than 30 international brands are at the DWW, which is hosting the Middle East’s most diverse series of brand launches and key moments in horological time till November 19.

Taking place in the Grand Atrium, The Dubai Mall, over 100 museum pieces will be on display in the region’s largest watch exhibition to date.

The Mastery of Time is designed to educate visitors on the story behind significant historical timepieces and their role within the timeline of each brand. It is a fascinating retrospective display of significant timepieces through diffirent eras from a historical or scientific point of view.

The event is this year launching the Creative Hub, a platform where brands will showcase limited edition pieces, or timepieces designed specifically for Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, alongside new collections coming to the region.

Recent additions to the Seddiqi portfolio including Ferdinand Berthoud, the developer of marine chronometers, the avant-garde innovator of Haute Horology, Emmanuel Bouchet and the Dutch master of astronomical watches, Christian Van der Klaauw will also be presented.

Speaking to Arabian Knight, Melika Yazdjerdi, director of DWW, said: ''We have worked more than 11 months to bring this exclusive event to Dubai. We are extremely proud in the way it has been received by the stakeholders."

"We have received overwhelming response from brands and the press. We are sure it will be appreciated by clients, watch collectors, and visitors," stated Yazdjerdi.

DWW's objective, she said, was to educate the public on the skills and knowledge of mechanical watchmaking as well as raise awareness on some of the watch industry's challenges.

The high-profile event has been recognised as a significant meeting point for the watch industry as it creates an intimate platform for collectors, brands, watchmakers and the members of the media to interact and share knowledge.

It is a non-commercial event that fosters the interests of the regional watch community by promoting Dubai as a platform for horological enthusiasts and experts.

"DWW has many elements and we want regional watch enthusiasts to learn more about watches and make use of his opportunity," she remarked.

According to Yazdjerdi, the Creative Hub and the Horology Forum are two major events of the program. "Industry experts and some of the icons of the sector will give insights on future trends and speak on the luxury watch sector's key issues," she added.

The event is supported by both the FHH and the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), who have assisted with this year’s exhibition programme and organisation.

The week-long event will focus on Masters of Time, by showcasing the pinnacle of watchmaking achievement through several exhibitions, workshops, watchmaking master classes, forums and VIP events that are lined up at the Dubai International Financial Centre and The Dubai Mall.

Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons represents more than 60 luxury timepiece brands across 65 locations in the UAE. It is the Middle East’s only retailer to offer a specialist after-sales service for luxury watches and jewellery to an extensive clientele.

An advocate of ‘horology’ in the region’s retail landscape, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons continues to create sustainable platforms for watchmaking, servicing, collecting and supporting watch enthusiasts in the region to increase their passion and understanding of the art of timekeeping.

The company prides itself in offering unparalleled customer service across pre-sale and post-sale dimensions having an exclusive partnership with the largest after-sales centre of its kind, the Swiss Watch Services.

DWW's general public programmes are free to attend and include exhibitions and forums at the DIFC Gate Village and The Dubai Mall.

The Horology Forum, which is accessible to the public, will open tomorrow and run till November 19 at the Empty Quarter gallery in the DIFC Gate Village, while the Horological Movements exhibition will be held untill November 29 at the Farjam Foundation and Operat gallery within the premises.

The GPHG winning watch exhibition, which showcases the competition’s prize-winning models, too will take place at the DIFC Gate Village.

The Mastery of Time and 24 hours in the life of a Swiss Cuckoo Clock exhibitions are organised in association with FHH and will be open to public at The Dubai Mall till November 19.

The Dubai Watch Week's private events include watchmaking master classes, private sessions and creative workshops.

The DWW is also giving an opportunity to serious watch enthusiasts to attend the first regional watch-industry certification programme, which will run from November 20 to 24 at The Dubai Mall-TradeArabia News Service