Ahmed Seddiqi

FOURTH DAY AT DUBAI WATCH WEEK

The art of watchmaking continues to reveal its many layers through stories, sessions, exhibitions, and moments across the programme, shaping a creative and active day as Dubai Watch Week neared its final chapter.

THE CREATIVE FRONTIER

Van Cleef & Arpels brought their own poetic interpretation of storytelling in watchmaking to the stage of DWW, showing how their creations transform time into scenes and emotions. Through the Lady Arpels collection, they revealed how movement, craft, and imagination come together on the dial. Rainer Bernard,Head of Research and Development, shared “Maybe a watch is called a watch because you have to watch it, because here you really have to look, you have to slow down a little bit”. It was a moment that invited the audience to see time not just as function, but as a story unfolding.

WHEN DETAILS COME TO LIFE

Through live close-ups of every mechanism, Van Cleef & Arpels revealed how each of the Lady Arpels timepieces tells its story. The Pont des Amoureux showed the two lovers moving across their Parisian bridge to indicate the hours and minutes, Heures Florales Cerisier displayed its twelve flowers opening and closing to mark time through a blooming sequence, and Brise d’Été brought summer to life with butterflies that glide gracefully across the dial.

Watching these scenes magnified on screen allowed the audience to understand the technical choreography behind each movement, a blend of design, craft, and engineering that felt almost cinematic, enriched by intricate details that require time, dedication, and deep research in watchmaking.

GULF VOICES IN WATCHMAKING

Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi spoke about the Gulf’s deep connection to watchmaking and Seddiqi’s long-standing role in the craft as it marks its 75th year. He highlighted the importance of showing people how intricate and time-intensive watchmaking truly is, noting that this is part of the purpose behind the focused sessions at Dubai Watch Week that reveal the processes behind each creation. He also reflected on the region’s strong sense of individuality and refined taste, shaped in part by leaders who have long appreciated and worn distinctive timepieces, setting a standard for uniqueness across the Gulf.

Moderated by Munther Al Muzaki, TV Presenter and Media Personality, the conversation moved to Yasmine Alshathry, founder of Clé, who spoke about the rising interest from Saudi in independent watchmakers and how her brand collaborates closely with them to support this appreciation for unique creations. The Speakers highlighted the importance of nurturing future talent, with Seddiqi creating pathways for regional enthusiasts to learn and grow in the art of watchmaking through their academy, which is already training its first Emirati student in watchmaking.