Dubai Watch Week, an event that has attracted worldwide attention as an opportunity to experience the cutting edge of the watch industry, will be held in Dubai again in 2025.
More than just an exhibition, it has become increasingly prominent in recent years as a "festival of knowledge and passion" that celebrates watch culture itself.
■ Not just an exhibition. A place for "talking"
The Dubai Watch Fair launched in 2015 and will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025.
The event was organized by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the largest luxury watch retailer in the Middle East. Based on the philosophy of "passing on watch culture to the future," the company creates a forum that emphasizes education, experience, and interaction rather than business negotiations.
The unique feature of this event is that brands are not exhibiting to "sell" their products.
The reason for participating is to "convey the value of the watch itself."
This allows visitors to relax and simply interact with the watches, fully experiencing the makers' philosophies and the craftsmanship of the artisans.
■ 2025 Event Overview and New Initiatives
-
Event period : November 19th - 23rd, 2025
-
Venue : Burj Park, adjacent to Dubai Mall
-
Number of participating brands : Over 90 (approximately 1.5 times the number in 2023)
-
Admission : Free (pre-registration required)
The 2025 edition will be even bigger than ever, with an exhibition area of approximately 200,000 square feet.
Another notable point is that the event has been moved to a venue that is more accessible to a wider audience.
A new special area called " House of Horology" has been added.
There will be talks by the CEO and master watchmakers, educational workshops and more.
■ Participating brands and notable trends
This year's lineup will be diverse, ranging from traditional, established brands to up-and-coming independent brands.
-
Classic brands such as Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Breguet, Chopard, and Tag Heuer make a bold appearance.
-
On the other hand, indie brands such as Kurono Tokyo , De Bethune , and Studio Underd0g also have a strong presence.
-
There are many exhibits that combine different fields, such as "Watches x Art" and "Watches x Technology."
The composition gives the impression of creating new cultural value.
■ 7 points to know before visiting
-
The focus is on dialogue rather than exhibitions. <br data-start="1266" data-end="1269">Please make sure to set aside time to talk with brand representatives and artisans. You will be able to learn about the "background" and "thoughts" that you cannot find in a pamphlet.
-
Scheduling is key. <br data-start="1350" data-end="1353">There will be many forums and experiential events. We recommend that you make reservations in advance for sessions that interest you.
-
Look not only for major brands but also for hidden gems . The next trends of the future lie hidden among indie brands and handmade workshops.
-
Record information on the spot. Organizing photos of the watch, conversation notes, business cards, etc. will be useful for reviewing and considering purchasing after returning home.
-
Networking is the biggest value. In the watch industry, it's all about who you know. Sometimes an opportunity arises from a quick conversation.
-
The desire to buy is clear <br data-start="1646" data-end="1649">Although there is little sales at the venue, there are many cases where this leads to inquiries about purchasing after the event.
-
You can enjoy it more deeply if you have a cultural perspective . One of the highlights of this fair is being able to experience the aesthetic sense and artisan culture of the Middle East.
■ The evolutionary history of past events
When the event is held in 2023, 63 brands and approximately 23,000 people will participate.
Even then, it has been highly praised as a place for experience and dialogue, rather than a place for business negotiations.
Visitors can pick up new watches and watch demonstrations by watchmakers.
I was able to hear directly about the brand's philosophy.
This interactive event structure is one of the great attractions of the Dubai Watch Fair.
■ A mirror reflecting the future of the watch industry
The Dubai Watch Fair is more than just an exhibition of luxury watches.
It is like a mirror that predicts the future of the watch industry.
-
Values are changing from "seeing" and "buying" to "talking" and "experiencing."
-
The Asian and Middle Eastern markets are rapidly gaining importance in the world.
-
Indie brands are bringing a breath of fresh air and revitalizing the entire industry.
The greatest attraction of the Dubai Watch Fair is being able to experience these trends firsthand.
■ Conclusion - Beyond the clock, a crossroads of cultures
The Dubai Watch Fair is an event where you can experience firsthand how watches have evolved from being a tool for measuring time to being something that connects people and cultures.
Here, technology, aesthetics and philosophy come together, and passions from around the world intersect.
If you want to see a watch as a mirror that reflects your life, rather than as an asset,
This fair is sure to provide you with new discoveries.
If you have the opportunity to travel or work in the Middle East, why not stop by?
0 comments