Photo: Courtesy Dubai Watch Week
Attention, horology enthusiasts: Dubai Watch Week 2023 begins today, and promises to be bigger and better than ever before.
Running under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Member of the Dubai Council, Dubai Watch Week is taking place at The Gate, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), from November 16-20, and the exhibit will be open to guests for free everyday from 10am to 10pm.
Along with exquisite timepieces from over 60 of the most luxurious brands across the globe — 10 of which will be participating for the very first time — Dubai Watch Week will also include over 20 exclusive launches. Brands to expect include Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Tudor, Hublot, Chopard, Ulysse Nardin, Girard-Perregaux, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chanel, and Bulgari, to name a few. Each brand is set to delight visitors with interactive, one-of-a-kind brand experiences at its standalone space. And that’s not all. Guests can also look forward to masterclasses, creative hubs, activations, open forums and panel discussions on the art of watchmaking, and other related topics as part of the Horology Forum.
Along with this, the 2023 edition of Dubai Watch Week will also include a dedicated Collectors Lounge space, where watch enthusiasts can attend curated sessions. The main aim of the week-long expedition is to once again spotlight the UAE as a creative hub, where pioneers in the field of horology and beyond can come together to exchange ideas and develop future opportunities together.
Below, a closer look at the most interesting things to look forward to at Dubai Watch Week:
Masterclasses
Dubai Watch Week will feature a total of 11 masterclasses, including an Emirati Safeefah Leather Bracelet making workshop which will be hosted by the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, a Sheikhen workshop, where vintage Norwegian silver spoons will be crated into wearable art, and perhaps one of the most interesting, the ‘Miss Audrey’s Sweet Art Dial-Making Masterclass’ by Bovet, which will showcase watch dials crafted using pure sugar.
Horology Forum
The Horology Forum at Dubai Watch Week this year will focus on the intersection of horology with luxury automotive, artisanship and education, giving visitors a chance to enjoy discussions with master craftsmen, pioneers in the industry, and watch collectors too. This year, the forum will include six panels and three debates. Guests can also look forward to its first ever Arabic panel — if you can’t be there in person, you can even stream all the discussions on the official Dubai Watch Week YouTube channel.
Contests
Dubai Watch Week is planning to get as interactive as possible this year, giving guests a chance to scan handpicked pieces via the DWW app and answer five questions to win luxury watches and experiences each day. Along with that, the week long celebration will also feature special exhibits.
Creative Hub
Dubai Watch Week’s Creative Hub will include some unmissable horology-related conversations. Keep an eye out for the “Super League of Sustainability” talk, which focuses on circularity in the luxury Swiss watch industry.
Christie’s meets Dubai Design Week
This year, Christie’s will bring a series of talks and panel discussions to Dubai Watch Week, along with complimentary watch valuations by appointment by Christie’s Middle East horology specialists. Christie’s will also be hosting a fun auction for children between the ages of 7-14.
A taste of DDW
Along with stunning watches, Dubai Design Week will also invite guests to pause for a culinary experience at its venue. While La Niña will put forth a curated Iberian Latino menu, Home Bakery and Kitch-In will be offering up an exclusive selection of treats that have been crafted especially for the event. TWST will also be back, by popular demand.
