The winning design by artist Diaa Allam. Courtesy G Shock
The winning design by artist Diaa Allam. Courtesy G Shock
The winning design by artist Diaa Allam. Courtesy G Shock
The winning design by artist Diaa Allam. Courtesy G Shock

‘This time shall pass’ – how a proverb used by Mohamed Bin Zayed inspired this limited-edition watch


  • English
  • Arabic

When the pandemic struck, G Shock Watches Middle East knew it wanted to help raise both money and people’s spirits.

Rather than donate funding or PPE, the watchmaker wanted to find a solution that brought together the humanitarian organisation Emirates Red Crescent, the regional art community and watch fans, too.

“The unrest in the world had caused many issues – for example, some artists had lost their zeal to create, others lost their sources of income,” says Koji Naka, managing director of Casio Middle East.

“We wanted to come up with an initiative that not only supported emerging talent but encouraged them to carry on creating.”

The unprecedented situation, it seemed, required an unprecedented solution.

G Shock first approached Hassan Akhras, the watch aficionado, influencer and founder of Arab Watch Guide, to brainstorm an answer. The resulting idea was to produce a watch limited to only 30 pieces, with 30 per cent of proceeds going to Emirates Red Crescent. In addition, its strap would be designed by a regional artist.

With the world on lockdown and most business being conducted via Zoom, it was decided the artists would produce the work live over the platform, enabling viewers to vote for their favourite designs.

The artwork showing Diaa Allam and Stephany Sanossian going head to head. G Shock
The artwork showing Diaa Allam and Stephany Sanossian going head to head. G Shock

In May, Diaa Allam and Stephany Sanossian were asked to create the designs, with the saying “this time shall pass” as their brief.

The Middle Eastern proverb, sometimes translated as “this too shall pass”, was recently used by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to give people hope during the pandemic.

Allam, a self-confessed "Egyptian with an Emirati soul", is a calligrapher and muralist who lives in Ajman. He is already well known regionally for his flowing Arabic lettering, which has adorned pillars at Abu Dhabi airport, the Ajman Flagpole and even a Costa coffee cup for Ramadan.

The Syrian-Armenian digital artist Sanossian reworks photography into new and arresting pictures. Combining unexpected elements, her work has included famous faces such as Kylie and Kendall Jenner digitally relocated into an upscale Syrian house party, or basketball legend Dennis Rodman slam-dunking a ball in the streets of Old Damascus.

Stephany Sanossian’s watch strap design. G Shock
Stephany Sanossian’s watch strap design. G Shock

“We decided on the theme and the artists got to work on the designs, bringing the concept to life in the form of two art styles: the first in Arabic calligraphy depicting the words ‘This time shall pass’ and the second in digital art reflecting the Dubai skyline,” Naka says.

In front of a Zoom audience, Allam and Sanossian brought their ideas to life. Allam wrote freehand lettering inside a large outline of a watch strap taped to the wall, while Sanossian merged and manipulated images to create the distinctive horizon featuring Burj Khalifa and Emirates Towers.

More than 3,000 people watched the work unfold, and by a narrow margin, voters chose Allam’s design. Only 30 watches available for pre-order – all were sold within 10 minutes, raising Dh15,000 for charity.

Akhras, the founder of the Arab Watch Guide, said some viewers texted in their orders before voting even ended.

“The idea was to showcase our solidarity in tough times and our ability to keep creating and innovating,” he says.

The finished G Shock watch, when ready, will have a leather strap, carefully printed with Allam’s lettered design, and a gold-plated face.

“This initiative was an art contest, and the idea behind it was to motivate artists to be creative, especially during the lockdown,” Naka says.

“We love collaborating with regional artists and creatives that share a similar DNA, be it in fashion, art, music and sports. Each collaboration is always a natural partnership.”

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

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Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

Episode list:

Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery 

Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges 

Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic 

Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks 

Ep5: Travel and tourism 

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%3Cp%3EYears%3A%20October%202015%20-%20June%202024%3Cbr%3ETotal%20games%3A%20491%3Cbr%3EWin%20percentage%3A%2060.9%25%3Cbr%3EMajor%20trophies%3A%206%20(Premier%20League%20x%201%2C%20Champions%20League%20x%201%2C%20FA%20Cup%20x%201%2C%20League%20Cup%20x%202%2C%20Fifa%20Club%20World%20Cup%20x1)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

About Takalam

Date started: early 2020

Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech and wellness

Number of staff: 4

Funding to date: Bootstrapped

MATCH INFO

Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)

TV: Abu Dhabi Sports

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

Stats at a glance:

Cost: 1.05 billion pounds (Dh 4.8 billion)

Number in service: 6

Complement 191 (space for up to 285)

Top speed: over 32 knots

Range: Over 7,000 nautical miles

Length 152.4 m

Displacement: 8,700 tonnes

Beam:   21.2 m

Draught: 7.4 m

MATCH INFO

Day 1 at Mount Maunganui

England 241-4

Denly 74, Stokes 67 not out, De Grandhomme 2-28

New Zealand 

Yet to bat

Dubai World Cup factbox

Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)

Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)

Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)

Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Thank You for Banking with Us

Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEquestrian%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAbdullah%20Humaid%20Al%20Muhairi%2C%20Abdullah%20Al%20Marri%2C%20Omar%20Al%20Marzooqi%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Suwaidi%2C%20and%20Ali%20Al%20Karbi%20(four%20to%20be%20selected).%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EJudo%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMen%3A%20Narmandakh%20Bayanmunkh%20(66kg)%2C%20Nugzari%20Tatalashvili%20(81kg)%2C%20Aram%20Grigorian%20(90kg)%2C%20Dzhafar%20Kostoev%20(100kg)%2C%20Magomedomar%20Magomedomarov%20(%2B100kg)%3B%20women's%20Khorloodoi%20Bishrelt%20(52kg).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECycling%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESafia%20Al%20Sayegh%20(women's%20road%20race).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESwimming%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMen%3A%20Yousef%20Rashid%20Al%20Matroushi%20(100m%20freestyle)%3B%20women%3A%20Maha%20Abdullah%20Al%20Shehi%20(200m%20freestyle).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAthletics%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMaryam%20Mohammed%20Al%20Farsi%20(women's%20100%20metres).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Asia Cup 2018 Qualifier

Sunday's results:

  • UAE beat Malaysia by eight wickets
  • Nepal beat Singapore by four wickets
  • Oman v Hong Kong, no result

Tuesday fixtures:

  • Malaysia v Singapore
  • UAE v Oman
  • Nepal v Hong Kong
The specs: McLaren 600LT

Price, base: Dh914,000

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm

Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm

Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km

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Company: Instabug

Founded: 2013

Based: Egypt, Cairo

Sector: IT

Employees: 100

Stage: Series A

Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

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AIDA%20RETURNS
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Company%20profile
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