PRINCE Faisal Bin Saad bin Saud Bin Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud inaugurated Salon des Grandes Complications in Riyadh last April 15.
Leading on from the extraordinary success of the fine watchmaking exhibition the past years in the capital, the annual event is being held once again at the prestigious Al Faisaliah Hotel and runs until April 18.
Designed to celebrate watch culture in the Middle East, Salon des Grandes Complications is a public event that offers the watchmaking community in Saudi Arabia an exceptional setting in which to enjoy new timepieces and ground-breaking technologies. The new Arabian Connoisseurs Majlis is a welcome addition to this year’s Salon where collectors and brand representatives can convene, converse, and enjoy informative talks on a variety of watchmaking subjects.
Taking place for the third time in Riyadh, the event underlines the importance of Saudi Arabia to watchmakers. “The Middle East in general and Saudi Arabia in particular, have undoubtedly become an area of the world where recognition and appreciation for swiss, high-end watchmaking tradition are an established reality,” said Teresa Garin Ruiz De Mendarozqueta, General Manager, Middle East and India, Ulysse Nardin.
“In a world where the pace of high-tech advances is hard to keep up with, the exquisite beauty and precision of a hand-made watch movement is a value to hold on to, and the increasing number of watch connoisseurs in this region is testament to it,” Garin added.
Presented by the twelve participating Maisons, together with four of the leading Saudi Arabian watch and jewelry retailers, is an exciting array of timepieces that perfectly represent key themes in contemporary high watchmaking.
Dive theme highlights include the Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver Green Bronze which taps into the strong khaki and bronze trend, Breitling’s retro-inspired Superocean Héritage II Automatic 44 and Ulysse Nardin’s contemporary classic Diver 42mm.
‘Great Escapements’ is another key theme, ranging from the futuristic high-speed oscillator technology of the Zenith Defy Inventor, to the more traditional Blancpain Villeret Tourbillon 12 Jours with its exceptionally long power reserve.
Chronograph highlights include the avant-garde TAG Heuer Carrera Carbon Tourbillon Phantom, Girard-Perregaux’s sporting chic Laureato Chronograph and Montblanc’s retro-inspired 1858 Chronograph with a bronze case and khaki-green dial.
High complications are naturally included within the line-up of show-stopping timepieces, including the intricate and limited Greubel Forsey GMT Earth, Harry Winston’s exceptional Histoire de Tourbillon 9 and Breguet’s Marine Équation Marchante 5887 grand complication.
Lastly, there can be few better examples of the jewellery watch genre than the stunning Fabergé Dalliance GemAddict with a one carat diamond in the centre of the dial framed by more diamonds and striking red rubies.
Taking place alongside the Jewellery Salon, Salon des Grandes Complications is held in partnership with Bentley Motors, with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Saudi Arabia. To mark the opening, the Swiss Ambassador hosted an evening reception at his residence with over 150 VIP guests in attendance. — SG
