FROM CONVERSATIONS TO COMMUNITY
Seventy-five years into Ahmed Seddiqi’s journey, we revisit the bold vision behind Dubai Watch Week and how it became a gathering place for collectors and craftsmen.
An Enthusiast Among Enthusiasts
Step into a workshop session at Dubai Watch Week (DWW), founded by Ahmed Seddiqi as a neutral platform dedicated to watchmaking education, and you might find yourself shoulder-to-shoulder with renowned watchmakers and industry experts. In 2023 alone, DWW welcomed over 23,000 enthusiasts, professionals, and collectors, who gathered to explore groundbreaking launches, exclusive regional limited editions, and insightful discussions. The event has become a global stage, attracting personalities such as Kevin O’Leary and Will.i.am, and presenting a vibrant blend of industry giants, independent watchmakers, and emerging microbrands.
Seeding the Idea in 2014
The spark for DWW was lit in late 2014 when Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons hosted an exhibition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève preselected watches in Dubai. The enthusiastic response from local collectors convinced The CMCO of Seddiqi Holding, Hind Seddiqi, that the Gulf needed its own horological platform.
October 2015 saw the inaugural Dubai Watch Week in Gate Village in DIFC. Unlike trade fairs focused on orders and sales, DWW was designed as an educational forum. Its five-day schedule included watchmaking master classes, panel discussions led by industry thought leaders, round tables where brand founders and independent watchmakers could exchange ideas and even a Christie’s kids auction to engage the next generation of collectors.
Growth and Community Impact
By 2017, attendance had surged to over six thousand visitors from more than fifty countries, and the number of participating brands had doubled. Testimonials from exhibitors highlight how DWW’s informal atmosphere led to unexpected collaborations and helped smaller makers network directly with Middle East collectors.
Looking Ahead to 2025 and Beyond
This year’s Dubai Watch Week promises to be the largest yet. The seventh edition of the event will run from 19 to 23 November 2025 at Dubai Mall’s Burj Park, the event will double its footprint to approximately two hundred thousand square feet, making room for expanded Horology Forum tracks and Creative Hub demonstrations. DWW remains dedicated to education, innovation and community building. For collectors, educators and aficionados, DWW continues to be the premier global gathering to learn, connect and celebrate the art of timekeeping.