TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA THE 9th Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition closed its doors on Sunday as the most successful and spectacular edition ever.

Organised by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), the exhibition attracted over 15,000 local and international visitors each day this year.

The expo is now rated the fifth biggest jewellery and watch exhibition in the world.

The event saw more than 300 international and local exhibitors showcasing the finest jewellery and watches in the region, with the total worth of the items on display crossing $1 billion.

Highlights of the 2012 event included a diamond encrusted Barcelona Football Club jersey, bearing the Qatar Foundation sponsorship logo, created by Bagues-Masiera. The special creation was displayed by Al Fardan Jewellery.

Another highlight was a $6.8 million Snow White Princess Diamond women’s watch made by Swiss watchmaker Mouawad. Also on display was a $5 million diamond- studded clock made by Swiss firm Parmigiani displayed at the Al Majed pavilion.

Senior figures in the trade, including heads of Jacob & Co and Chopard, also attended the show. Major collectors were also in attendance, showing the exhibition had become a ‘must attend’ event for the industry The seven-day exhibition was spread over 15,000 square-metre at the Doha Exhibition Centre. It was billed as the region’s leading exhibition of its kind.

QTA Chairman Ahmed al Nuaimi said, “It was a great honour to bring the finest and most exclusive international jewellers and watchmakers to Qatar for the event as well as highlighting high-end local brands.” “The Doha Watches and Jewellery Exhibition showed that we can compete with the European shows in terms of brand names and number of visitors. We continue to grow the exhibition each year and it is becoming a must-attend on the international jewellery and watch exhibition circuit. QTA and our partners are already planning for the 10th edition of the exhibition in 2013, which will be even more spectacular.

“QTA is committed to promoting Qatar as a first-rate destination for business, industry, conferences, cultural events, education, sports and leisure, with world-class amenities and services. This is part of our commitment and mission to stage world-class events in Qatar,” al Nuaimi said.

Among the significant Qatari exhibitors were Ali Bin Ali Watches & Jewelry, Fifty One East, Amiri Gems, Alfardan Jewellery, Blue Salon, Al Majed Jewellery, Al Muftah Jewellery, Makki Jewellery, Marzook Al Shamlan, Paris Gallery, and Al Zain. High-profile international brands featured in the show included Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Audemers Piguet, Richard Mille and Mont Blanc, Chopard, Chanel, Vacheron Constantin and Piaget, Zenith, Damiani, Maurice Lacroix and Ladoire, Palmiero, Jacob & Co, Concord and Franc Vila, Patek Philippe, Jaeger- LeCoultre, Century, Ebel and Giovanni Ferraris.