After five days hosted by the Seddiqi family in a warm embrace that set new standards for events on the horological calendar, Dubai Watch Week has become an oasis for collectors and brand creators alike. It is also fast becoming a favourite on many calendars. With an emphasis on knowledge, not sales, with a relaxed atmosphere for those who crave substance over marketing noise, over 90 brands participated this year. They ranged from storied Swiss maisons to top independents and microbrands, all spread across a lakeside sizeable pop-up that feels like a cultivated design quarter.
The Dubai Watch Week also coincided with Seddiqi’s 75th Anniversary, as well as celebrating its own tenth anniversary. This sparked an outpouring of special editions from brands that included Breitling, Bvlgari, Moser, Hublot, MB&F, TAG Heuer, and Trilobe—each a tribute to Dubai Watch Week’s catalytic role. And judging by the international base of collectors present at the event, all the watches launched have proven to be collectible for a much more international audience than you might think. From philosophical calligraphy paired with architectural angularity in the Octo Finissimo, to real sand in the (literal) case of the Ressence Type 9, reimagining Swiss watchmaking with a warm Emirati charm works. It also underlines the appeal of the Dubai Watch Week, which the collecting world has been descending on for all the right reasons.
Breitling Avenger Automatic 42 Night Mission – Seddiqi 75th Anniversary Edition
Breitling revealed this watch earlier this year, but many of us saw it for the first time in its rightful home, celebrating Seddiqi’s 75th Anniversary with a stealthy design. In a milestone year for Seddiqi, Breitling’s new Avenger marks the 75th anniversary with a discreet but impactful touch: the ‘7’ and ‘5’ picked out on the dial, and the commemorative logo engraved on the caseback. Limited to just 75 pieces, it’s a compact 42 mm Night Mission rendered in scratch-resistant ceramic, fronted by a carbon-black dial. Inside beats the COSC-certified Caliber 17 with 38 hours of reserve, wrapped in a 300-meter-certified tool watch built for collectors.
H.Moser & Cie. Heritage Retrograde Seconds 75th Anniversary Edition
For the Seddiqi Anniversary, H. Moser & Cie. chose a model rarely seen from the brand lately: the Heritage collection. Set in a 42mm case, the Heritage has a modern take on wire lugs, and is recognized by its large, applied numerals giving it a distinct pilot’s watch vibe. Within this retro-modern package H. Moser & Cie. has included the staunchly modern retrograde seconds display at 6, the dark grey details juxtaposing a vibrant dial. The Heritage Retrograde Seconds 75th Anniversary Edition is limited to just 20 pieces, with a fume dial that evokes a sand-yellow color reminiscent of the Eastern Arabic sands, a design that feels unmistakably made for Dubai. Inside, the HMC 250 automatic calibre—developed with Agenhor—delivers a three-day reserve, its anthracite bridges and openworked rotor revealed through the sapphire back.
Hublot Classic Fusion Titanium Seddiqi Editions
Hublot has always had a strong foundation in the United Arab Emirates. And for Dubai Watch Week 2025, Hublot presents a pair of deep-red, limited-edition Ahmed Seddiqi 75th Anniversary models. These are crafted from titanium and based on the 42mm and 38mm Classic Fusion models with matching striated rubber straps. The 38mm Titanium Diamonds Seddiqi stands out with its use of gold details and a bezel set with 36 white diamonds. Both feature dials with applied indices and Eastern Arabic numerals, and solid-gold rotors engraved with the 75th-year emblem. Based on the refreshed Big Bang 20th Anniversary architecture unveiled at Watches & Wonders, both models adopt the sleeker 43 mm by 13.2 mm case profile—a sharper, more contemporary canvas for this celebratory duo.
Perrelet x Diaa Allam
Perrelet has added a touch of Emirati charm to its already collectible Turbine collection, collaborating with renowned Emirati calligrapher and performer Diaa Allam. Perrelet’s patented Double Rotor from 1995 frames a colourful, dynamic calligraphy that is revealed as the rotor spins, transforming the watch's stealthy black into a celebration of the United Arab Emirates. Inspired by palm leaf wickerwork, the spectacular effect of a Perrelet is a geometric pattern that becomes more vivid the faster the turbine spins, a fitting celebration of one of the year’s best events and most dynamic regions for the world of horology.
MB& F Perpetual EVO 75th Anniversary Seddiqi Limited Editions
Celebrating the milestone of Ahmed Seddiqi’s 75th Anniversary in combination with ten strong years of the Dubai Watch Week was fittingly marked by MB&F. Working together, the two houses present two exceptional creations, the Perpetual EVO 75th Anniversary Seddiqi Limited Edition and the Perpetual Baguette Diamonds 75th Anniversary Seddiqi Limited Edition. With the unmistakably complex charm of MB&F’s most intricate openworked design, both are made in the spirit of innovation, one that defines MB&F, as well as the strong legacy that defines Ahmed Seddiqi. Both are made from grade 5 titanium with signature blue sub dials we have seen in Seddiqi collaborations in the past, but here reimagined and powered by the award-winning Perpetual Calendar calibre.
Bvlgari Mattar Bin Lahej x Octo Finissimo
The Bvlgari Octo Finissimo has a special place in collector’s hearts. For Dubai Watch Week, by collaborating with the Dubai-based artist Mattar Bin Lahej the brand has created a beguiling mix of collectability and philosophy with Eastern Arabic calligraphy transforming the Finissimo. The quote reads: “The future will be for those who can imagine, design, and implement it. The future does not wait, but it can be designed and built today,” adding emotion to the mix, and a sweeping, intricate decoration to the angular Octo Finissimo. By featuring the Octo Finissimo in this artful interpretation, Bvlgari also underlines the changing tastes of Emirati collectors, embracing architectural modernity while reimagining a modern-day icon.
