Dubai Watch Week 2025: Art and Innovation in Contemporary Horology

The leading watchmaking event Dubai Watch Week 2025, took place in its largest format to date. Bringing together more than 90 international brands, the event debuted a new venue at Burj Park and delivered an extensive programme that attracted industry professionals and watch enthusiasts from around the world.

Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the exhibition ran from 19 to 23 November 2025. Expanding to 18,580 square metres, Dubai Watch Week recorded a 48% increase in participation compared to 2023, further reinforcing its position as a key global platform for the watch industry.

As noted by Hind Seddiqi, CEO of Dubai Watch Week, the core mission of the project has remained unchanged for over a decade: to unite the professional community, inspire audiences, and create an open space for dialogue, discovery, and the exchange of expertise. Visitors explored the latest watch collections, discussed emerging trends, and took part in a wide range of thematic sessions.

The newly introduced House of Horology served as the central hub for knowledge-sharing, hosting more than ten expert-led talks. The opening session featured Jean-Frédéric Dufour, CEO of Rolex, and Abdul Hamied Seddiqi, Chairman of Seddiqi Holding, in a discussion titled “The Time to Act Is Now.”

One of the highlights of the programme was the inaugural CEO Roundtable: Horology Edition, bringing together Georges Kern, Ilaria Resta, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, and Julien Tornare. Moderated by Andy Hoffman, the conversation offered candid insights into the future of the watchmaking industry.

The programme also included panel discussions on luxury in the GCC region and the dynamics of family-owned businesses, the impact of algorithms on contemporary horology, and the modernization of iconic Bvlgari designs. Additional highlights included the premiere of the Man of the Hour series featuring Wei Koh, alongside numerous other talks and presentations.

Further sessions explored the emotional and strategic dimensions of building brand legacy, with contributions from Maximilian Büsser, Kari Voutilainen, and Alexia Jenta.

Audemars Piguet unveiled a collaborative project with the Dubai Future Foundation focused on innovation, while Van Cleef & Arpels, together with L’ÉCOLE, hosted educational sessions designed for collectors and art enthusiasts.

Hands-on workshops offered guests the opportunity to engage with traditional crafts, including lume painting, marquetry, hand-engraved dials, meteorite work, and the martelé technique. Hermès also hosted a series of bespoke workshops available exclusively during Dubai Watch Week.

The Collector’s Lounge provided privileged access to limited-edition timepieces created to mark the 75th anniversary of Ahmed Seddiqi, as well as a programme of private, invitation-only discussions.