At the end of November 2008 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the patronage of Dr. Hassan Abdullah Fahro, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain, the 17th largest Middle East Jewelery Arabia 2008 international watch and jewelry exhibition was organized by Arabian Exhibition Management. Solemnly cut the symbolic red ribbon at the entrance, Dr. Hassan Abdullah Fahro himself, the second significant and respected figure in Bahrain after the king. Then he, along with his retinue, went around all the halls of the exhibition. Believe me, there was something to see.
At the International Exhibition and Convention Center of the capital of Bahrain, the city of Manama, the most exquisite world novelties in the field of watches and jewelry were presented, which are in great demand and interest among tourists and residents of the Middle East.
As part of the Jewelery Arabia 2008 exhibition, a gala dinner was organized by MPP Arabia and the best jewelers and watchmakers were awarded every year since 2005.
At the Premier Middle East Watches, Jewelery & Pens Awards, in twenty categories, the best jewelry and watch companies, as well as manufacturers of luxury writing instruments, were awarded. Gala dinner and award ceremony were held in the most beautiful five-star hotel in the Kingdom - Ritz Carlton. More than four hundred guests from around the world gathered here to become witnesses and direct participants in the presentation of the most prestigious awards.
The organizers of the grand event first announced the name of the winner in the nomination "Cultural Person of Arabia-2008", which was first announced in 2006. Usually, among many applicants, one significant person from the countries of the Middle East is selected, who played a significant role in supporting and promoting the cultural heritage of his country and the region as a whole. This year, the winner in this nomination was the talented and legendary musician from Lebanon - Charbel Rouhan. In the new 2008 nomination, “Chairman of the Board of 2008,” the winner was the CEO of the Swiss watch company Hublot, an extraordinary personality and professional in his field, Jean Claude Buve. The founder and executive director of one of the largest companies in the Kingdom of Bahrain - Asia Jewelers, Mr. Mahmoud Jafar, “The Lifetime Achievement Award” was awarded posthumously. Mahmoud Jaffar, who founded the company in 1961, passed away almost immediately after the end of the Jewelery Arabia-2007 exhibition. The award of his father in 2008 was received by his son - Mohammed Jaffar, who led the family business.
Watch companies received awards in ten categories. In the nomination "Best watches with multi-watch zones", Piaget won with the Piaget Altiplano Double-Jeu; The "Best Turbillon" was named Vacheron Constantin - Malte Tourbillon Regulator. In the category "Best Classic Watches", the winner was Chopard L.U.C. XP; "The best jewelry watches" - Audemars Piguet 79414.BC.ZZ.9177.BC.01; "The best watch with technological innovation" - IWC Grand Complication in Rose Gold; "Best Sports Watches" - Harry Winston - Project Z5. The title "Best Men's Watches" won the model Jaeger LeCoultre - Master Minute Repeater 175 Years Edition; "Best Women's Watches" - Hublot - Big Bang Purple Carat. In the nomination "Best Chronograph", the prize went to Audemars Piguet models, and in the category "Watches with the best design" Cartier - Watch with Elephant Motif won.
Jewelry was rated in five different categories. The Cartier Argos Set collection was named “Best Contemporary Jewelry”, and Piaget's Limelight Architecture Theme necklace became the leader in the category “Best Diamond Necklace”. “The most colorful jewelry set” was the Camargo necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels. The Palmiero necklace was named “Best Fashion Jewelry”, and Chopard Necklace was named “Best Oriental Style Jewelry”.
The best writing utensils were also rated in five categories. Bentley Brooklands won the Tibaldi pen in the Best Art and Skill category, and Romain Jerome Orange Feather won the Best Themed Pen category. Chopard products were named "The Best Advanced and Modern Handle", Montblanc with the Diamond Pen collection won the nomination "The Best Diamond Pen Collection". And the Cartier Dragon Decor Exceptional Pen was the leader in the latest category, “Best Historical Icon”.
Jewelery Arabia-2008 exhibition once again allowed to celebrate the achievements of the best craftsmen in the industry. Despite the outbreak of the financial crisis, the luxury market in the Arab East, somehow not particularly staggered. In any case, luxurious jewelry and watches from limited editions were sold out very actively in the exhibition pavilions. It remains to be expected that watchmakers and jewelers will represent Bahrain in the coming year.
The editors thank MPP Arabia and the Links Arabia advertising agency for inviting me to the Jewelery Arabia-2008 exhibition in the Kingdom of Bahrain and for helping to organize exclusive interviews, which will be published in the next issue of Russian Emirates
