An avid horology connoisseur and one of the world’s top watch collectors, Kuwait-based Abbas behbehani’s extraordinary journey with watches has started at the early age of 15: « After school I used to go to my father’s work, at some point he was the biggest watch distributor in the world, with ‘West End’ brand under his umbrella, I’ve undoubtedly inherited his passion for watches ».
Growing up in a family that worked in the watch business, Abbas, a mechanical engineer with eight years of experience in Kuwait oil company has started collecting timepieces almost four decades ago with a very modest priced 25 $ Omega as his first possession followed in the early 1980s by a perpetual calendar Audemars Piguet which decades later remains his favorite complication.
More than 1000 watches extravagantly displayed in a custom-made room in his house designed by the luxury watch winders and cases Buben & Zorweg, he loves wearing his timepieces instead of locking them up as several collectors do.
« I’m not necessarily attracted to complicated watches, I love readable simple designs, the complications shouldn’t be on the outside, i buy what I like and rarely ever sell a watch ». His large collection consists of breathtaking pieces of Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe and many others. « I love the history of the brand, its aesthetics and the people behind it » A warm light-hearted person with an acute sense of humor, his love affair with watches and unique taste position him as one of the top watch collectors globally « You don’t decide to become a watch collector, your passion drives you there ».
Inaugurating 2022 with his spectacular taste, Abbas shared with us two unique custom-made timepieces from his vast collection:

Patek Philippe Grande Complication 5971P

This one-of-a-kind custom-made Patek Philippe 5971P Chronograph, has a manually wound perpetual calendar and leap year indication as well as minute recorder and moon phases. Powered by an outstanding calibre CH37-70 Q, this 39 mm stunning masterpiece comes with a large platinum case studded with magnificent blue sapphires. A unique legacy of craftsmanship and timeless beauty.

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5724G-010

A stunning 18k white gold custom-made self-winding wristwatch, studded with blue sapphires with power reserve, date and moon phases. This 42 mm timepiece is powered by a 240 PS IRM C LU calibre with a breathtaking blue alligator strap.

In a hasty world that rolls in the fast lane, sharing time with your loved ones is the most valuable gift ever. A. Lange & Söhne cherishes the preciousness of a moment while reflecting on the warmth of the festive season with four timepieces that blend the artistry of watchmaking with the core meaning of a human bond.

Lange 1 Moon Phase

This dazzling timepiece with its meticulous complication and precision outlines the eternal lunar cycle, the solid gold moon traces its path across a bright blue sky during the day, it’s set against a dark blue background at night. 383 tiny laser-cut stars illuminate the celestial body for a super elegant effect. Moreover, the celestial disc completes one turn every 24 hours featuring different shades of blue. Like all Moon Phase designs, the calibre L121.3 deviates from the synodic period by a single day once every 122.6 years. The silver dial showcases elements that display flawless harmony: The power reserve display, Lange outsize date as well as the luminous time indication are artfully fused into the off-centre dial.

Langematik Perpetual 

The first mechanical wristwatch that combines the perpetual calendar with the Lange outsize date. The self-winding calibre L922.1 SAX-0-MAT with Lange’s zero-reset mechanism ensures that all functions  like the hour, minute, second, outsize date, day of the week, month, leap-year (until 2100) are easily readable. A stunning timepiece of impeccable craftsmanship and aesthetic superbness.

Saxonia Moon Phase

A timeless classic that never ceases to impress the watch aficionados with its combination of two popular combinations. Its trademark outsize date is positioned under 12 o’clock with the Moon Phase display that appears at 6 o’clock with the subsidiary seconds. Solid gold batons give the watch an enchanting elegance as well as 852 stars that illuminate its lunar disc. The sapphire-crystal caseback is indisputably a visual delight, revealing a stunning movement with its skillfully integrated elements. 

Zeitwerk Striking Time

Feast for the eyes and music to the ears, this melodious L043.2 calibre timepiece is the world’s first mechanical wristwatch with jumping numerals and a striking mechanism. Every quarter-hour, the little steel hammer on the right strikes a high-pitched gong while the one on the left strikes a lower chime at the top of the hour. The large digits of the side-by-side hour and minute showcase the meticulous artistry and precision of Saxon watchmaking artistry.  

To celebrate its 230th anniversary, Girard-Perregaux takes its sumptuous heritage forward with three emblematic creations, La Esmeralda Tourbillon “A secret” Eternity Edition, Laureato 42mm Eternity Edition, and Cat’s Eye Eternity Edition.

Cat’s Eye Eternity Edition

The cat’s Eye model was first introduced in 2004 with stunning oval-shaped cases blending femininity with mechanical finesse. The latest version comes with a blue Grand Feu enamel dial produced in the company’s in-house facility with an eternal fresh appearance that never fades, and is housed in a steel case with 62 brilliant-cut diamonds and a round sapphire window on the caseback that reveals a self-winding movement calibre GP03300-1739. Leaf-shaped hour and minute hands elegantly indicate the time with the brand’s initials that are positioned at 12 o’clock, and the date window at 3 o’clock with a matching background. This art timepiece is limited to 88 pieces.

La Esmeralda Tourbillon “A secret” Eternity Edition

Back in 1889, the legendary La Esmeralda pocket watch with a Tourbillon and three gold bridges got the winning prize at the “Exposition Universelle”. Considered as the most famous watch of the Maison, Girard-Perregaux celebrates its 230th anniversary this year by reinterpreting its iconic timepiece as part of the Eternity Edition series that reveals the eternal beauty of enamel. Housed in a hand-engraved pink gold case, the bezel, caseband, lugs and buckle are engraved with a delicate leaf motif. Making the invisible visible, two hand-engraved galloping horses crafted in rose gold that decorated the caseback of the original watch now appear on the dial. The reverse side of the watch has a sunray guilloché decoration and blue Grand Feu enamel with three horses. The watch is fitted with a secret cover as its name indicates, that opens when pushed and reveals the self-winding movement the Calibre GP09600-1506.
Haute-horlogerie at its best with cutting-edge technology and impeccable craftsmanship bridging historic excellence with a modern approach, the watch will be available in seven different enamel colors.

Laureato 42mm Eternity Edition

Launched in 1975, the Laureato was the ultimate definition of a luxury sports timepiece with its quartz movement, round dial and octagonal bezel. To celebrate its 230th anniversary this year, GP redecorated the Laureato dial with a hand-guilloché sunray motif followed by an either blue or green vibrant glossy Grand Feu enamel. The stainless case has a 42mm diameter and a 10.68mm height with matching date window at 3 o’clock while the brand’s initials are positioned at 12 o’clock, as well as Rhodium-plated baton-type hands that convey the hours and minutes. The sapphire caseback reveals an automatic GP01800 calibre that’s made at the company’s facility in la Chaux-de-Fonds. The Laureato 42mm Eternity Edition is limited to 188 pieces.

What a whirlwind Dubai Watch Week has been with new releases dropping on us like Santa and Christmas showed up early. Dubai Watch Week was simply all aces. The selection of watches was incredible from new releases to watches that have previously graced the market. The insightful horology forums that made all participants leave with food for thought and of course the brilliant selection of masterclasses that had wait lists which indicate the thirst for knowledge in the region. The best part for me however was the human part, reuniting with the #watchfam at Cipriani was everything I hoped that reunion would be.

But let’s get down to business. Here is my list of favorites from Dubai Watch Week that you absolutely must check out.

1. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Self Winding Flying Tourbillon
What makes this bad bay special is that it was specially crafted for the Middle Eastern market. This time pieces features a titanium case, a sunburst salmon dial and eastern Arabic numeral hour markers. The downside is that it is limited to 25 pieces making this one of the most impossible to get releases from Dubai Watch Week.

2. Hublot’s Classic Fusion Chronograph Concrete Sand
Hublot and Ahmed Seddiqi and Sons Celebrate the UAE’s Golden Jubilee with this special time piece. The dial features actual sand from the UAE deserts while the straps are made of fine camel leather. Concrete elements are also featured in this watch that signifies the UAE’s Urban development. The watch is limited to 100 pieces.

3. Chopard Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF
The beauty of this watch is that it combines the comfort of titanium with the strength of an elegant chronometer. And ofcourse like all good things in life it comes in a limited edition of 250 pieces.

4. Tag Heuer Carrera Middle East Limited Edition
This beauty was pre launched during Dubai Watch Week. If you are in the market for a spectacular green dial then this is the watch for you thanks to its vibrant emerald green color. The watch is elegant, striking, and pays tribute to the region with its Arabic numerals and date window at 6 o’clock.

5. Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1
This watch has got to be my all-time favorite. 95 percent of this time piece is made using hand operated tools just like things used to be in the original days of watch making. This time piece requires 6000 hours of work to be created which is approximately 3 years of a watch makers life time. You literally will be carrying the time and passion of traditional watchmaking on your wrist with this true to history creation.

6. Girard Perregaux Esmeralda Tourbillon
This watch was created to pay tribute to Girard Perregaux 230th anniversary. This wrist watch employs the maisons legendary watch making know how as well as its renowned artistic crafts. The watch employs a secret mechanism and the CEO of GP has called this the most ambitious creation the brand has released to date. By pressing the crown pusher the secret cover opens to reveal a self winding movement.

7. Jacob & Co Bugatti Chiron Green Sapphire Crystal Time Piece
Last but most certainly not least is the Bugatti Green Sapphire Crystal. This Watch is a masterpiece of design and engineering. The watch case is made completely out of Sapphire Crystal which is an extremely difficult and unique achievement in watchmaking. The watch also pays tribute to the hyper sports Car Bugatti as every aspect of this watch was designed with codes that are true to Bugatti’s DNA. The back of the watch is designed to look like a car dashboard with two crowns and a pusher that winds the watch, sets the time, and activates the engine animation.