JEDDAH, 20 October 2006 — Demand for high-end watches is on the increase in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Gulf, a major Swiss manufacturer said here yesterday. “What’s more sought after are watches studded with rare diamonds and rare movements,” Christophe Nicaise, Dubai-based regional director of Harry Winston (HW) told Arab News. Al-Fardan Jewellery’s boutique for Harry Winston Rare Timepieces, described as the first of its kind in the world, at Jewellery Center on Tahlia Street. Exhibited at the boutique, which marked its soft opening, are HW’s watch collection that marks luxury and beauty.
“This is the first HW exclusive watch boutique to open in the world, and we’re proud to have it in Jeddah,” Nicaise said. The new boutique is termed as an important step in the history of both Harry Winston and Al-Fardan Jewellery. “We’re thrilled to have such an opportunity to prove, once more, how much the region in general and Saudi Arabia in particular is important for us,” he said.
“Harry Winston is all about rarity — rare diamonds and rare movements, thus rare timepieces,” he said, adding that rarity is also a quality that is carried out by the manufacturer’s retail network. With only 12 salons worldwide, the first HW rare timepiece boutique here marks a noteworthy achievement for the company “as it confirms the brand’s strong commitment to its very high end clientele in the Middle East region,” he added.
The event marks the addition of a new landmark of the Swiss tradition for Al-Fardan Jewellery. Al-Fardan family has been very interested and involved in the jewelry business, especially pearls and precious stones.
Today, they are considered pioneers of the industry in the Middle East. Al-Fardan Jewellery Co. Ltd., established in Riyadh in 1993 by its President Jamil Matar, started with one showroom in the capital and has since expanded to five showrooms across the Kingdom in 13 years. It has five exclusive luxury stores in three main cities - Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar.
According to Mattar, Al-Fardan Jewellery has been Harry Winston’s official retailer in the Kingdom. “We’ve been partners with Harry Winston Rare Timepieces for over 10 years now and for all this time we’ve been introducing their exquisite collections to our discerning and selective customers,” he said.
“Harry Winston’s legendary diamonds combined with innovative movements make fine watches that are recognized as worthy exponents of the noblest Swiss watch making traditions, while they also show the brand’s long experience and commitment to the finest diamonds,” he added.