Dazzling in Doha

May 2013


By Cynthia Unninayar

In 2003, the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition began modestly in the ballroom of a hotel. Over the last decade, it has grown into one of the industry’s premiere events, attracting the biggest and brightest names in the global jewellery and watchmaking sector.

The Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2013, with 530 of the world's finest brands participating, and more than 50,000 visitors coming from around the region.
The Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2013, with 530 of the world’s finest brands participating, and more than 50,000 visitors coming from around the region.

Organized by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) opened to the public on February 26, showcasing more than 530 of the world’s finest jewellery and watch brands, spread out over 15,000 square-meters. There was no question that Doha was dazzling during the six-day event, which featured the world’s highest concentration of luxury jewellery, timepieces, and objets d’art under one enormous roof. It seemed to combine the best of Basel and Geneva’s SIHH, with the addition of a number of impressive regional brands.

“The event has established itself as one of the most important specialized regional and international exhibitions in the jewellery and luxury goods industry,” stated QTA chairman, Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi. “This year we are delighted to welcome 26 exhibitors, that represent many of the world’s best known and most prestigious gemstone, jewellery, and watch brands.”

Of these 26 exhbitors, most are large retailers in Qatar, which then feature their own groups of clients. The main pavilions included Al Fardan Jewellery, Ali Bin Ali Watches & Jewellery, Amiri Gems, Fifty One East, Blue Salon, Al Majed Jewellery, Al Muftah Jewellery, and Paris Gallery, among others.

By the end of the show, more than 50,000 people had visited the exhibition from around the region, including the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, making the DJWE such an important event that many brands come to Doha to launch their global premieres. This year, one such company was Chopard. Co-owner Caroline Scheufele was on hand at the Geneva brand’s booth in the spacious Al Fardan Jewellery pavilion to debut its La Strada watch collection. “Chopard has been working with Al Fardan for more than 40 years,” said Scheufele. “Both fathers started working together and the children grew up knowing each other. Since both are family companies, this creates greater synergy and closer ties.” She went on to say that the region is an important market for Chopard, which is why she came to Doha to launch the new line. “When I began making sketches of La Strada, I was completely caught up in a whirl of classic cinemarelated images,” she mused, adding that her great appreciation of Fellini inspired her to name the line after one of his films. The brand also featured high jewellery pieces as well as haute horlogerie watches.

Caroline Scheufele introduces Chopard's new La Strada watch at the DJWE.
Caroline Scheufele introduces Chopard’s new La Strada watch at the DJWE.

Four of the Main Pavilions

Chopard was one of five dozen brands in the Al Fardan Jewellery pavilion. A few of the others were Fabergé, Harry Winston, Masriera, Piaget, Carrera y Carrera, and first-timer La Reina, as well as the company’s extraordinary collection of natural pearl jewellery, showcased in the Gallery Al Tawash. Created in 1954, Al Fardan Jewellery has grown into one of the Gulf’s most renowned pearl and jewellery retailers.

With origins also dating back more than a half-century, Ali Bin Ali Watches and Jewellery hosted nearly three dozen major brands, including Van Cleef & Arpels, Richard Mille, Pomellato, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Aaron Basha, and Graff (which had its own large stand outside of the main pavilion).

Another impressive pavilion was organized by Al Majed Jewellery, a major Qatari retailer whose origins can also be traced back to pearl trading in the early 20th century. The Al Majed family still owns one of the world’s most valuable collections of natural pearl jewellery, on display at the show. Among the retailer’s four dozen brands were Autore, Crivelli, Ivanka Trump, Nanis, Roberto Coin, Zydo, and first-timer Sicis Jewels. (Sicis Jewels’ parent company created the spectacular gold mosaics for Doha’s Golden Mosque located in the new cultural centre.)

Created more than seven decades ago, Fifty-One East, directed by Bader Abdullah Al-Darwish, is the longest-standing retail chain in Qatar, selling many luxury lifestyle products including watches, jewellery, fashion, fine apparel, cosmetics, fragrances, and electronics. With a name that reflects its location’s longitude, 51 degrees East, the company’s stand at the DJWE included two dozen brands, among them, Rolex, Tudor Boucheron, Pasquale Bruni, and Waterman.

Extraordinary yellow and white diamond necklace (131.12 cts) from the Scroll Motif Collection by Graff.
Extraordinary yellow and white diamond necklace (131.12 cts) from the Scroll Motif Collection by Graff.

Around the Show

In the various pavilions, truly remarkable pieces of jewellery were on display. True to form, ninth-year exhibitor Graff showcased a variety of luxurious diamond and gemstone pieces. Among them was a spectacular diamond dragonfly, with articulated wings made of white and yellow diamonds, valued at $2 million. The brand also featured fabulous wedding sets. Clive Golanski, Senior Executive, explained. “The wedding season is coming up, so we have included some bridal jewellery sets this year, which have not been seen anywhere else.”

L'Incomparable Diamond Necklace by Mouawad, comprised of 91 diamonds totalling 635.40 cts and a 407.48-ct internally flawless centre diamond.
L’Incomparable Diamond Necklace by Mouawad, comprised of 91 diamonds totalling 635.40 cts and a 407.48-ct internally flawless centre diamond.

Spectacular diamond jewellery was also on the menu at the Mouawad stand. Pascal Mouawad, a fourth generation member of the family business and head of the brand’s retail division, commented, “We are fondly bound to Qatar as it has played a significant role in the company’s history. During the last two editions of the DJWE, we unveiled two of our most incredible and unique creations: the Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse and the Snow White Princess Diamond Watch.” This year, Mouawad presented an even more remarkable piece—L’Incomparable Diamond Necklace—made of 91 diamonds, totalling 635.40 carats. According to the brand, the amazing centre stone is the world’s largest internally flawless diamond (GIA-graded) and weighs 407.48 carats.

Christie's featured this convertible diamond tiara/necklace by Boucheron from 1947 in its private sale at the DJWE.
Christie’s featured this convertible diamond tiara/necklace by Boucheron from 1947 in its private sale at the DJWE.

A first-time exhibitor at the 2013 DJWE, Christie’s had a stand-alone booth near the entrance to the show, where it displayed the auction house’s private collections. Important pieces included a pair of attractive earrings with natural pearls by Harry Winston, a historical brooch with Imperial provenance, an emerald and diamond necklace by Cartier, and loose diamonds up to 70 carats. The pièce de résistance was a magnificent diamond tiara set in platinum and gold by Boucheron, circa 1947, that can be converted into a necklace, with matching earrings.

Necklace from the new Maharaja collection by Al Zain.
Necklace from the new Maharaja collection by Al Zain.

Jewellery from the Region

A number of companies from the Gulf area presented beautiful collections of jewellery. The largest was Al Zain, founded in 1930 by pearl merchant Abdulla Al Zain. One of the oldest jewellery companies in Bahrain, Al Zain operates 15 retail stores in high-end malls around the Middle East, in addition to its worldwide wholesale business.

At the DJWE this year, Al Zain introduced its new Maharaja collection, inspired by the splendour of the great rulers of India. “The Maharaja collection is the second in a series, following our earlier ArabDeco collection,” said Samar Al Zain, co-owner of the brand with her husband and children. “It consists of pieces handcrafted from the finest rose-cut, briolette, and brilliant-cut diamonds, as well as natural pearls set in 18K gold.” Al Zain also featured bridal sets, its own 21K handcrafted Bahraini gold pieces, and other gemstone, pearl, and diamond pieces.

Earrings in diamonds and Gemsfield emeralds by Fabergé, present at the Al Fardan pavilion. & Double rings in burnished gold and diamonds by Noudar, inspired by traditional Arabic culture.
Earrings in diamonds and Gemsfield emeralds by Fabergé, present at the Al Fardan pavilion. & Double rings in burnished gold and diamonds by Noudar, inspired by traditional Arabic culture.

The Qatari brand, Noudar, made its second appearance at the DJWE. Created by Noor Alfardan, of the Al Fardan family, the brand presented several collections inspired by Arabic culture and Middle-Eastern fashion, but with a modern perspective. Noudar is sold in Britain as well as in the Middle East.

Traditional gold wedding jewellery by Versailles.
Traditional gold wedding jewellery by Versailles.

Another Qatari company, Versailles, specialized in traditional gold jewellery, many intended for weddings. Some of the bridal sets were made of more than one kilogram of gold, according to owner Hassan Yousef Al Jaber. The company also displayed a wide variety of everyday pieces.

This decorative perfume bottle holder in gold, silver, enamel, and gemstones was one of many art objects created by Prologue.
This decorative perfume bottle holder in gold, silver, enamel, and gemstones was one of many art objects created by Prologue.

Based in Dubai, Prologue manufactures high-end jewellery and original objets d’art. Its booth displayed extraordinary statues made of gold, silver, enamel, diamonds, and coloured gemstones. “Many pieces have been custommade for clients here in the region,” explained Corrine de Aranda, the company’s managing director. Among the most popular objects were motifs evoking Arabian horses, falcons, and other aspects of local life.

Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi, chairman of the QTA, declared the DJWE a great success, adding that “the event has given a boost to the country’s image as a major exhibition centre at the international level.” It also highlights the QTA’s strategy to support a thriving industry, which reaches beyond the shores of Qatar to include the world’s top global brands.

www.qatartourism.gov.qa