Jaeger-LeCoultre and British Polo Day
India, 1930: César de Trey, a Swiss businessman, travels to Bombay to meet friends in the British colonial army. After a polo match, a player shows him his damaged watch; the glass has been broken during the day's play, and the player charges de Trey with the task of creating a model that will survive the rigours of the game. As a connoisseur of watchmaking, de Trey knew that the workshops run by his friend Jacques-David LeCoultre had the required expertise. The resultant Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso timepiece – with its famous swivelling case that protects the glass and dial by exposing only the metal back to potential knocks – has become inextricably linked to the sport, a bond that the Swiss watch brand has since strengthened. Now the official timekeeper of the British Polo Day, Jaeger-LeCoultre is regularly involved in this "celebration of British luxury and heritage that spans the world". Founded in 2009 by Edward Olver and Tom Hudson, the British Polo Day Global Series has 10 annual events that span Australia, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, Singapore, Sumba Island (Indonesia), Thailand, the UAE and the United States. Each event features players from some of Britain's leading institutions competing against teams from the host country, followed by a charity auction. This year marked the return of the seventh British Polo Day to Dubai on March 27, at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club – the birthplace of British Polo Day and the setting for its very first event in 2009, while an Abu Dhabi edition was held on March 21 at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club. The event is slated to return to the UAE in March 2016.
Graff Fascination timepiece
In recent years, Graff has proved to have something of a knack for breaking records. Last year, the brand unveiled its US$55 million (Dh202m) Hallucination watch at Baselworld, earning it the title of most valuable watch yet created. In the same year, the Graff Vivid Yellow diamond set a new world auction record for a yellow diamond when it sold for $16.34m (Dh60m) at Sotheby's Geneva. And at this year's Baselworld, Graff unveiled what is being dubbed as the world's most valuable transformable timepiece. The Fascination timepiece – priced at $40m (Dh147m) – is covered in a remarkable 152.96 carats of white diamonds. At its centre is a 38.13-carat D Flawless pear-shaped diamond that can also be placed into a bespoke setting and worn as a ring. Alternatively, the diamond watch face can be removed from the piece and can instead be worn as a bracelet.
Mohammed Rasool Khoory & Sons
The 23rd edition of the International Jewellery & Watch Show (JWS) is on at Abu Dhabi's National Exhibition Centre until May 9. The event features 150 international brands, including the UAE-based Mohammed Rasool Khoory & Sons, which is showing its two newest pieces: a limited-edition rose gold Savelli Genève smartphone, which is handcrafted in Switzerland and made from carefully selected leather and embellished with diamonds. It features scratch-resistant ceramic and is powered by Google and Android. The second is the Mother of Luxury handbag. With only 999 available in the world, the bags feature 18-carat gold and crocodile leather. Also part of the event is the third edition of the Ebda'a Awards. A collaboration between JWS and Emirati jewellery artist Azza Al Qubaisi, the competition has three categories: daywear/casual, evening wear and contemporary interpretation of traditional jewellery.
Montblanc TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap
It's the year of the smartwatch. From Mondaine's minimalist Helvetica 1 to Breitling's soon-to-be released B55, more and more brands have been jumping on the technological bandwagon. But one of the coolest – and most user-friendly – pieces of wearable tech to be launched of late is the Montblanc TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap. Using the contemporary TimeWalker timepiece, Montblanc has chosen to integrate technology into the strap, which features a 0.9-inch monochrome OLED touchscreen. Connecting to select Android and iOS smartphones via Bluetooth Smart, the e-Strap provides an activity tracker, smart notifications and a Find-Me function that allows the timepiece's owner to search for his watch or smartphone from up to 30 metres away. Very cool stuff.
Chopard Imperiale collection
Following on from the launch of its Mille Miglia GTS collection at Baselworld, Chopard recently presented its Imperiale collection in Abu Dhabi for the first time. Comprising watches and jewellery, the collection relies heavily on the use of amethyst, which is in step with this season's colourful-gems trend, and consists of rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets, all set in white or rose gold. Drawing inspiration from the Roman Empire, the watches feature lugs symbolising ancient columns, and hands crafted in the shape of the tapered daggers used by sovereigns in battle. The collection is available in select boutiques around Abu Dhabi, including at the Chopard Boutique in Marina Mall.
With input from Panna Munyal
alane@thenational.ae
