A Collected Man will be auctioning a one-of-a-kind Roger W. Smith Series 1, with 20 per cent of the profits being donated to the Alliance of British Watch and Clock makers.

With only 18 Series 1 watches having left the Isle of Man workshop thus far, and only one previously offered publicly at Phillips in December of 2021, selling for $730,000, this is truly a rare opportunity. The winner will also have the option to have their initials engraved on a cartouche on the movement as well.

The timepiece reflects a refined aesthetic featuring a 38 mm white gold case with a minimalist dial, a black leather strap along with Roger Smith signed in the gold buckle and the Roger W. Smith single wheel version of Dr. Daniels co-axial escapement movement.

The auction will be live from November 11th at 14:00 GMT and end on November 25th at 14:00 GMT.

Having set the benchmark for online auctions at Christie’s with blockbuster sales in March 2021 (US$ 15 million) and March 2022 (US$ 12 million), Christie’s Dubai reaffirms its stature and position as a global hub. True to form, the region’s leading auction house kicks off the second half of the year with a selection of highly collectible modern and vintage timepieces offered in Watches Online: The Dubai Edit featuring Collectible Women’s Watches.

All the watches will be on display at Christie’s in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) from 12 to 26 October with online only bidding. More than 300 watches are going on auction with an estimate ranging from US $14 million to US $23 million.

Heading the sale is the exclusive Richard Mille RM 50-03 McLaren Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph (Est: US$900,000-1,200,000), a technical tour-de-force from the avant-garde independent watchmaker, made in a limited edition of only 75 pieces.

Remy Julia, Head of Watches Christie’s Middle East, India & Africa, shared: “Dubai is the confluence of all that counts in the world of exceptional modern and vintage watches. More than 300 lots have been consigned by the team of specialists at Christie’s Watches Dubai for the Fall’s first sale, which is a record for the region. With an estimate of US$14 million, the quality of all provenances is a milestone. Never so many rare watches have been consigned by Christie’s in Dubai before. The sale has established itself as unmissable global event for discerning collectors of exceptional timepieces around the world.”

Some of the highlights include:

Patek Philippe – Lot 34

This Patek Philippe 36 mm timepiece, released in 2018, features a 18K rose gold bracelet and silvered guilloché dial.

Patek Philippe Calatrava – Lot 101

Circa 1958, this Patek Philippe watch features 18k yellow gold, case-back engraved with the initials J.Z and 33mm Guilt dial with 8 pearls.

Piaget – Lot 48

This exquisite Piaget timepiece, created in 1976, features 18k white gold with textured bezel with diamond set dial and manual winding movement.

Rolex Day Date – Lot 207

Created in 1989, this 36mm Rolex Day date features 18K yellow gold President bracelet with a Cacholong dial with applied hour markers.

Rolex Day Date – Lot 210

Circa 1999, this 36 mm Rolex Day date features 18K yellow gold with 24 baguette-cut diamond bezel set in onyx.

Girard-Perregaux is pleased to unveil the Laureato 38mm Copper, a mid-sized, unisex model with a fascinating dial. Termed ‘copper’ the appearance of the dial is complex and dynamic, evincing different shades depending on the available light source.

With over 230 years history, Girard-Perregaux has amassed vast experience, skillfully utilizing light for the delectation of watch aficionados. Despite being a new model, this latest creation remains a Laureato, a byword for ageless design since the inaugural version was first launched in 1975.

With the Laureato 38mm copper, the Maison shows its capacity to master light. The dial is not merely a one-dimensional surface, but encompasses a Cloud de Paris motif. This traditional pattern is composed of multiple pyramidal structures that engage with light, bestowing tiny pockets of brilliance and shade.

Katia Jundi Interviews Gregory Bruttin, Product Strategy Director at Roger Dubuis, during his visit to the region to launch a very special timepiece only available in the Dubai Mall boutique.

Gregory Bruttin has consistently pushed the limits of watchmaking. With graduate degrees in microtechnology and watchmaking microelectronics, a Master in Watchmaking Design from the University of Neuchatel, and a career spanning nearly two decades in various capacities at Roger Dubuis, he has contributed to the development and marketing of twenty movements and fifteen patents.

[KJ] Hi Gregory, lovely to see you and thanks for taking the time to share this exciting news with us. Can you tell us more about it?
[G] Thank you, Katia. We’re very happy to share with you the new Platinum Edition timepiece as part of our iconic Excalibur Monobalancier series, exclusively for the Middle East. Our new timepiece comes in a unique stimulating vivid mint green colour that is associated with platinum material and showcases our daring and extreme craftmanship.

In the fact with color was created with Arsenic originally but as it was dangerous we had research other ways to find the right color so we found another way to create the color without arsenic.

[KJ] So this is not going to kill you (laughing)?
[GB] No (laughing). This is the provocative side of Roger Dubuis, we like to present ourselves with this kind of story. Actually the color was very interesting because its something never seen before in the watch making industry. It’s a green yes, but a very specific green.

[KJ] Why this color green? What made you gravitate towards this shade? I have not seen this shade of green on any timepiece so far.
[GB] The choice of green was important for us because platinum is a quiet matter, high end material, so it was necessary to have the color match the metal so it won’t be too flashy.
We also like to be unique in how we create our timepieces, so this was another reason why we wanted a unique shade. The main challenge was to match the color with the other elements of the watch, not only the dial.

[KJ] Was this the most challenging aspect of producing the watch? To match the perfect green on all the components?
[GB] Exactly.

[KJ] I just found out that this is a Dubai Exclusive, not just a regional exclusive. Why Dubai? And is this the first time that Roger Dubuis does something like this for the Middle East?
[GB] This is a boutique exclusive, our biggest boutique is in Dubai and that’s why really it’s a Dubai exclusive per say. This market is very important for us, we want to develop our platinum offering and this metal is popular in the region. This why we are focusing here for this specific launch.

[KJ] In a way you are showcasing a commitment to the Middle East collectors by bringing something unique only for them, what do you think?
[GB] Yes, we feel its a market that appreciates this type of timepiece so hence why are launching it here.
Also if you notice there is a small diamond which is specific to the platinum watches, this is a signature touch that we like to include and keeps our signature element surprise going.

[KJ] Wow, that so beautiful actually. How many pieces do you have available?
[GB] This is not a limited edition, however we have capped the production at maximum 10 pieces per year. This is how we can maintain the quality, producing slowly and taking the time that each piece needs and deserves.

[KJ] Do you think you will be focusing more on platinum in the future? Is this a direction that you’re going for as a brand?
[GB] We love using platinum but in the bigger pieces the case becomes very heavy and it’s not comfortable on the wrist honestly. On the 42 mm diameter it’s ok, not too heavy and some clients appreciate the feeling of a solid case.

[KJ] I love how you are pushing boundaries with the color and you always keep that element of surprise. This is something your clients have come to expect from you and you always deliver on that, even with this new launch.
Which watch are you wearing today? Is this your go-to watch?
[GB] This is the same timepiece {Excalibur Monoblancier} but in ceramic. To be honest with you, I don’t wear watches! I never wear a watch. This helps me to stay creative and make space for inspiration for new timepieces to come in the future – to keep pushing the boundaries.

[KJ] That’s so interesting! And a good reason not to wear one. Does this watch cater to both men and women?
[GB] Anyone can wear our timepieces! We don’t limit ourselves to gender, we use this 42 mm case for this reason. It’s comfortable for both. We do have 36 mm available in other models.

[KJ] I’ve heard that you’re fascinated the most by the tourbillon complication, can you tell us more why this is?
[GB] It’s gravity. Gravity is the quest for a watch maker. Compilations are a mix of gears and elements -this is a physical approach, as well as philosophical, and the most well known solution to offset this is the tourbillion but it may not be the best one. The solution came about two centuries ago and today we have a different approach to compensate gravity. For example, the tourbillion only compensates gravity in vertical position and in fact today the tourbillion is a statue complication, an incredible mechanism. We are still searching for better solutions to offset the effect of gravity to keep on improving, it’s an obsession that we have as do many watchmakers. It’s the most challenging thing for us.

[KJ] This seems to be the biggest quest in watchmaking for sure. I heard that you love traveling, adventure – you seem to be very active! Does this active lifestyle give you inspiration or motivation towards your work and your watchmaking journey?
[GB] Yes and also I’m producing my own wine this year as well. (laughing). For sure yes, the traveling is very important for me to meet people, to study culture – this helps in my creativity. I love the philosophical aspect of exploration, stepping into a different kind of mind set and approach to life. And the best part is the food! For example in Japan, the complexity and detail in the cuisine gives you insight into the rich culture they have.

[KJ] Did you use your previous experience traveling to this part of the world to inspire you to create this new timepiece you’ve launched?
[GB] The process is creative and can be hard to structure. At Roger Dubuis, we take on lots of feedback and information after which we can crystalize that into a product. Our process can be very different than other brands. Everyone from the team will share their ideas and input to finalize the prototype into the final product – what you see in store today.

[KJ] You’ve been in Roger Dubuis for 20 year now, do you see this as a positive point? Or had you moved around could this have provide a more well rounded outlook on the industry?
[GB] I will share with you what my colleagues say, “you live the brand.” So I feel and live the brand completely, it’s a natural process for me. My job is to continue the vision and story of Roger Dubuis himself, I worked a lot with him and he gave me plenty of advice in terms of philosophy and vision. My plan is to continue on that path.

My favorite quote from Roger Dubuis is, “Continue to be creative but respect the traditions.” I have a lot of creative people around me, I take the creativity but I manage to respect the tradition.

[KJ] What’s coming up in the pipeline? What can you share?
[GB] I love to share, but I change my mind all the time. (laughing) It was important for us to ‘clean the room’. For the past 10 years we tried lots of things, some elements were successful and some not as much so it was important for us to ‘clean the room’ and clarify the vision of the brand.

For this timepiece, we have very clear assortment, the base in terms of product, it’s in line with the DNA of the brand, it’s technical, it’s design, it’s high watch making, and it’s very current.

Now, that will be important for us to come back into the roots of the brand. The company was created around four big complications- tourbillion, perpetual calendar, split second, and the minute repeater. This is the way we want to move forward for the future, to come back to the creativity and reinterpret the traditional compilations but in modern way. That is the vision of the brand, to come back with very strong movement, surprising movement. We’ve been playing around with the design of the material during the last few years and now we will play with movement to come back with crazy complications.

[KJ] Gregory thanks so much for your time, this was brilliant. Congratulation on your new launch and I’m sure it will be a huge success.

Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the region’s leading retailer of luxury watches and jewellery and Patek Philippe are pleased to announce the opening of two new flagship boutiques in the UAE.

Located in The Dubai Mall and The Galleria Al Maryah Island Abu Dhabi, the boutiques at 2,000 sq. ft and 1,133 sq. ft respectively, highlight the brand ethos, and values that truly represent Patek Philippe. Founded in 1839 and with a strong emphasis on the tradition of innovation, Patek Philippe constantly tests the frontiers of watchmaking artistry though its avant-garde achievements at the cutting edge of technology.