The second edition of Dubai Watch Week, the region’s only event dedicated to horology, celebrates the art and science behind timekeeping. From two venues — DIFC and The Dubai Mall — the event organised by Ahmad Seddiqi & Sons, presents a series of exhibitions, workshops, forums and watchmaking masterclasses giving watch-lovers unprecedented access into the fascinating world of time.
THE CUCKOO CLOCK
The clockwork and decor of cuckoo clocks have always been emblematic of the precise, meticulous work associated with the image of Swiss savoir-faire. 24 Hours In The Life Of A Swiss Cuckoo Clock, an exhibition curated by Alexandra Midal, puts a contemporary spin on this iconic Swiss timekeeping emblem through 24 modern interpretations by students and staff at the HEAD-Geneve art school. Students and teachers from 18 Fashion, Jewellery and Accessories courses present this playful exhibit at the Fashion Catwalk, The Dubai Mall.
TIME TUNNEL
1195 Cristal de Roche featured in the Time Tunnel.
Curated in partnership with Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH), The Mastery of Time is a fascinating retrospective display of significant timepieces through the ages. The exhibition will present certain watches and clocks that are important from a historical or scientific point of view and illustrate how man, in constant search of greater precision, has continued to produce increasingly complex and beautiful objects. With an educative aspect in mind, the exhibition is also designed to educate visitors on the story behind watchmakers. Located in the Grand Atrium, The Dubai Mall.
THE HOROLOGICAL MOVEMENTS
Highlighting the beauty and intricacy involved in the creation of various renowned horological movements such as tourbillons, perpetual calendars and chronographs, the exhibition will also serve as a showcase for coveted watch brands to present extent of their complications and their exceptional timepieces along with a samples of the movements that best exemplify their ethos. The aim of this exhibition is to engage the watch lovers, providing them a better understanding of the value of complications that compose the finest timepieces of our generation.
A watch from The Mastery of Time.
GRAND PRIX D’HORLOGERIE DE GENEVE
Often considered the Oscars of the watch world, the Grand Prix made its inaugural visit to Dubai in 2013, with a subsequent visit organised during the first edition of Dubai Watch Week. This year, the annual travelling exhibition allows watchmaking connoisseurs, enthusiasts and collectors to discover the competition’s prize-winning models and admire the year’s finest watchmaking creations.
TIME FOR ART
Dubai Watch Week commissioned UAE artist Abdul Qader Al Rais to create two special art pieces that were auctioned during Christie’s Dubai’s Modern and Contemporary art sale in October. His early works explored local scenery, coastlines and idyllic landscape in the UAE. Largely self-taught, Al Rais’ interest in old local architectural gems and nature are depicted in romantic realism distilled by an exacting eye and a mystical imagination that gives his works much of its power. Zaman: Saa’a Ramliya, one of the auction pieces on show transcends the notion of time: an hourglass, presented in shades of blue and yellow honour time and memory. Its rich hues exude an undeniable reference to the sand, desert and sea through which Dubai has grown and thrived over the past many decades. The proceeds of the sale benefit the Noor Dubai foundation, facilitating research towards the prevention of visual impairment.
The Bird Cage Clock by Dorothee Loustalot.
THE MASTERCLASS
In addition to talks by legends, Philippe Dufour and Jean-Pierre Hagmann, Dubai Watch Week bring some of the most celebrating names in horology for masterclasses dedicated to the fine arts of watchmaking. Graduated from the Watchmaking School of Paris in 1981, Vianney Halter spent the first ten years of his professional life restoring old clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches. Emboldened by his broad knowledge about the art of horology, he created his own brand in 1998; since, he has thrice received the prestigious GPHG award (2003, 2011 and 2013). His latest creation: the Deep Space Tourbillon features a triple axis tourbillon. This watch is said to be ’the fourth dimension’ for deep space voyagers. On 16th November, Halter reveals the secrets behind award-winning watches. The name behind extraordinary timepieces such as the Papillon and Cocon, Andreas Strehler is much loved for his philosophy of watch movements as living organisms. Their form also exemplifies a revival, and a new interpretation, of the traditional art of watchmaking. He will conduct a private session during the fair.
Dubai Watch Week 2016 takes place from November 15th to 19th.
