Gate Avenue at DIFC sponsors Dubai Watch Week

Dubai-UAE:  15 November 2016 – Gate Avenue at DIFC, the forthcomingpremium urban retail, leisure and cultural destination at the heart of Dubai International Financial Centre,today announced its sponsorship of the region’s most anticipated five-day horology event, Dubai Watch Week, from 15-19 November. Under the theme ‘Masters of Time’, the second edition of this global event, which was originally initiated in the UAE, will be held under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. It will be organised and curated by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the Middle East’s most trusted distributers for luxury watches and jewelry.

Many of the week’s major events will take place within DIFC, the leading international financial hub that connects business and financial institutions across the US $7.8 trillion Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.

Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, a pioneering retailer and exemplary curator for Dubai Watch Week, has created a sustainable network across 65 locations over the last 66 years. Partnering with DIFC, Dubai Watch Week will bring together local and international visitors, collectors, brands and watchmakers, in addition to the Centre’s community of more than 21,000 professionals.

As a non-commercial event, Dubai Watch Week will look to inspire and spark the interests of the global watch community, promoting Dubai as a platform for watch enthusiasts and experts. Celebrating latest achievements, craftsmanship and innovation within the luxury watch industry, visitors will be encouraged to learn about the skills and knowledge required for mechanical watchmaking.

Events being hosted in DIFC include:

-      Horological Movements exhibition - 15 to 19 November

-      Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève winning watches exhibition - 15 to 19 November

-      Watch Forum - 16 to 19 November

-      Creative Hub - 16 to 19 November

-      Watchmaking master classes - 16 to 19 November

DIFC Gate Village will be available for prestigious networking events with a cocktail reception, lunches and a gala dinner, allowing the opportunity for new partnerships and alliances among businesses across all sectors as the country’s cultural season continues in full swing.

Raja Al Mazrouei, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications at DIFC Authority, highlighted how sponsoring this event is a privilege but also an important step in DIFC’s effort to be a world class lifestyle, arts and culture destination. On announcing the partnership with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, she said: ‘Dubai Watch Week’s purpose is to bring people together from around the world to exchange ideas, innovate and trade. This reflects our shared mission of facilitating opportunities across the region and becoming a meeting ground for different interests – whether it be for horologists, businesses, visitors or residents.’

Al Mazrouei continued, ‘we are honoured and excited to be collaborating with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons once again who , as a well-established retailer have founded this homegrown and internationally recognised event  as a means of fostering the interests of the global watch community. Hosting the event in DIFC demonstrates our commitment to bringing luxury lifestyle initiatives to our distinguished clients and the wider community..’

The DIFC continues to be a pioneer for innovation. The event is timely, with construction recently beginning on “Gate Avenue at DIFC”, a project valued at AED 1 billion. The new development will further enhance DIFC’s offerings of shopping, cultural and entertainment options through a series of inter-linked, spacious indoor and outdoor spaces that link up all the central podiums in the district. This will create a unique new urban living concept for the region. In addition, it will be delivering a more integrated, professional, connected and accessible environment for existing and new companies who reside in the area.

Dubai Watch Week commences on 15 November with further announcements to be made in the coming days on specific activities and events. Find out more about what is happening, when and about other partners at www.dubaiwatchweek.com