The 7th edition of Dubai Watch Week 2025 has launched in spectacular style at Burj Park, Dubai Mall, transforming the 200,000-square-foot venue into a playground for watch enthusiasts and collectors. Bringing together legendary maisons with centuries of heritage and daring independent creators, the event unites the full spectrum of horology under one roof. Day one dazzled visitors with rare limited editions, immersive installations, and interactive experiences, setting the tone for a festival that promises to redefine luxury watchmaking in the region and beyond.
A grand opening and record participation
The event’s official inauguration featured speeches from Hind Seddiqi, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Seddiqi Holding and CEO of Dubai Watch Week, alongside Abdul Hamied Seddiqi, Chairman of Seddiqi Holding. Their remarks highlighted the event’s family heritage while signalling a forward-looking vision for the watch industry.This year, Dubai Watch Week has attracted over 90 brands, marking a 46% increase in participation compared to the last edition. Exhibitors range from historic watch houses with centuries of expertise to independent designers exploring innovative approaches. Unlike traditional luxury watch fairs, the festival’s layout integrates art installations, interactive displays, and communal learning experiences, creating a more immersive environment that encourages exploration beyond the watches themselves.
Interactive experiences and educational highlights
Brands have introduced distinctive activations to engage visitors:
- Girard Perregaux offers a racing-inspired driving simulator, aligning with the spirit of its automotive-themed watches.
- Van Cleef & Arpels combines poetic watch artistry with Middle Eastern cultural influences, merging craftsmanship and storytelling.
- Bonhams hosts a public watch valuation booth, providing insights into vintage watch investment and appraisal.
A historic milestone occurred with the first-ever CEO roundtable, gathering industry leaders including Georges Kern (Breitling), Ilaria Resta (Audemars Piguet), Karl-Friedrich Scheufele (Chopard), and Julien Tornare (Hublot). The discussion offered attendees an unprecedented window into the strategies and challenges shaping the future of luxury watchmaking.
Exclusive timepieces steal the spotlight
Several limited-edition releases made a striking debut on day one:
- Mattar Bin Lahej x Octo Finissimo:
A 40mm titanium watch, only 70 pieces produced. The case, bracelet, and dial are engraved with Arabic calligraphy inspired by a quote from HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum:
“The future will be for those who can imagine, design, and implement it. The future does not wait, but it can be designed and built today.”
It houses the BVL 138 ultra-thin automatic movement with micro-rotor, featuring hand-finished Côtes de Genève, chamfering, and perlage. - Louis Vuitton Escale Limited Edition:
Two 40mm models, capped at 30 pieces each, feature turquoise and malachite dials with matching stone rings encircling the case. Platinum is used for lugs, bezel, crown, and caseback. The LFT023 automatic calibre includes a rose-gold micro-rotor, visible through the caseback. Crafting required meticulous hand-cutting and polishing to accommodate the unique properties of each stone, paired with textured Saffiano leather straps. - Norqain Wild One Meteorite Special Edition:
The first Norqain watch to feature authentic iron meteorite, highlighting the natural Widmanstätten pattern unique to each dial. Encased in a 42mm burgundy Norteq carbon-fibre case, the watch contains the Norqain Manufacture Calibre NN20/1 by Kenissi, COSC-certified and visible through a sapphire crystal caseback.
Audemars Piguet celebrates 150 years with the house of wonders
To commemorate its 150th anniversary, Audemars Piguet has brought its House of Wonders, a 1,000-square-metre travelling exhibition, to Dubai. Reimagining its 1875 headquarters, the experience includes:
- Clock Room, Gallery of Time, Mechanical Secrets, and Astronomical Observatory
- Archival documents, rare complications, and contemporary designs tracing the evolution of watchmaking
- A forward-looking Lab section highlighting innovation and collaboration
Visitors can also participate in masterclasses and a panel with the Dubai Future Foundation, emphasising the ongoing role of cooperation and innovation in shaping Swiss horology’s future.
