DUBAI DIARIES: What I am looking forward to for Dubai Watch Week 2021

Zach Blass

The eagle has landed. Your American Deputy Editor has finally made it to Dubai Watch Week. Prior to joining the industry, I had always heard great things about this watch fair. In the weeks leading up to my flight today, various industry colleagues told me I was set to have one of the best watch weeks of my life. It seems widely held that Dubai Watch Week is always a compelling watch fair to attend – whether as a journalist or public visitor.

Recently, even the Swiss-held GPHG ceremony has noted the outstanding nature of the fair – awarding a special jury prize to Dubai Watch Week, which was accepted by Hind Seddiqi on behalf of her family, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, who run this exhibition and forum.

 

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The moral of the story here is that there is a lot praise going around for Dubai Watch Week and what it offers to the watch industry and community each year. But this is my first time personally attending. One of the things I am most curious to understand first-hand during my visit is what is the secret spice to this watch fair? What makes it special? I can only infer, as of now, that there is a distinct Dubai cultural element to the winning formula of the watch week.

 

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So, one of my primary objectives this week is to get fully immersed with not only the attending brands and  fabulous exhibitors, but equally so the people – the collectors, the enthusiasts, the panellists and  educators. What are they excited to see this week? Who are they excited to connect with? What happens in this wonderful space that you just can’t find anywhere else? And, of course, what is everybody wearing on their wrists?

There is so much to take in as a visitor of the fair, so throughout the week I’ll be chronicling my observations with Dubai Diaries – hopefully you will feel like you are right here with me for the ride and, who knows, maybe you will want to make the trip yourselves in the future to get in on the action.