A five‑day journey through horology, creativity and masterful craftsmanship as over 90 global maisons converge under Dubai’s skyline
As the first strokes of time moved into motion yesterday, Dubai Watch Week 2025 opened at Burj Park, Dubai Mall, marking the start of an immersive five-day celebration of horology, innovation, and artistry that will continue until 23 November. Now in its seventh edition, the event spans 200,000 square feet and hosts over 90 of the world’s most prestigious watch brands. Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the week reaffirms Dubai’s position as a global hub where technical mastery, creative vision, and cultural dialogue converge.
Dubai has long been a city where tradition meets innovation, and nowhere is this more evident than in its embrace of watchmaking as both art and science. The city’s cultural landscape, from its architecture to its galleries, sets the stage for an event that goes beyond exhibitions to create a living narrative of time, craftsmanship, and creativity. Visitors move through Burj Park with anticipation, knowing that each display, forum, and session has been curated to reveal the meticulous craftsmanship behind the world’s most refined timepieces.
At the centre of this experience lies the Creative Hub, a space dedicated to premieres, regional launches, and experimental collaborations. Over 33 limited-edition launches will be unveiled across 23 participating brands, offering collectors and enthusiasts an exclusive look at the latest innovations in design and mechanics. Highlights of the Creative Hub include immersive sessions such as AP × DFF: Innovation Through Collaboration, Breitling: Conquering New Horizons in Swiss Watchmaking, Where Time Meets Photography: The Leica Watch Story, and Poetry of Time by Van Cleef & Arpels. Each presentation reflects a careful balance of heritage, technical skill, and forward-thinking creativity, allowing visitors to explore the vision and craft of each maison in depth.
One of the week’s most anticipated highlights is “The House of Wonders” by Audemars Piguet, an immersive exhibition spanning over 1,000 square metres that celebrates 150 years of watchmaking excellence. Visitors are guided through thematic rooms and workshops, tracing the Maison’s journey from its roots in the Vallée de Joux to its vision for contemporary horology. The installation offers an educational and interactive journey into the artistry and innovation that define one of the world’s most respected watchmakers.
While specific models are not detailed on the official DWW site, industry media have highlighted certain novelties, such as TAG Heuer’s Monaco Split‑Seconds Chronograph Air 1, a technical chronograph with a 3D‑printed titanium case and split-seconds mechanism. Its presentation at the week illustrates the platform’s role as a global stage for experimentation and cutting-edge watchmaking. In addition to TAG Heuer, brands including Rolex, Bulgari, Hublot, Tudor, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chopard, Breitling, Ferdinand Berthoud, Girard‑Perregaux, Chanel, and Gerald Charles participate with exhibitions and immersive experiences showcasing their technical expertise, design philosophy, and creative vision.
The Horology Forum forms the intellectual heart of the week. Speakers confirmed by DWW, such as Jean‑Frédéric Dufour (Rolex), Abdul Hamied Seddiqi, Georges Kern (Breitling), Ilaria Resta (Audemars Piguet), Karl‑Friedrich Scheufele (Chopard), and Julien Tornare (Hublot), explore themes including brand heritage, innovation, and the evolving identity of luxury timepieces. The forum also features the first-ever CEO Roundtable: Horology Edition, where industry leaders reflect on the future of luxury, collaborative innovation, and the strategic direction of their maisons.
Complementing these discussions, Masterclasses allow participants to engage directly with the artistry of watchmaking. Through sessions on engraving, marquetry, miniature painting, and luminescent techniques, attendees gain hands-on insight into the intricate skills required to produce high-end watches. The masterclasses bridge the gap between observation and practice, transforming technical mastery into an accessible, tactile experience.
For collectors seeking a more intimate perspective, the Collector’s Lounge offers a curated environment to examine rare and exceptional pieces. Though the official DWW programme does not list specific watches, the lounge emphasises the artistry, craftsmanship, and creative vision of participating maisons, allowing enthusiasts to engage directly with both established and independent brands in a refined setting.
For anyone visiting Dubai Watch Week 2025, three experiences are particularly unmissable. The Creative Hub provides a first glimpse at premieres and limited editions. The Horology Forum offers unparalleled insight into the thinking and innovation driving the industry. Finally, the Masterclasses allow hands-on exploration of artisanal skills that underpin the most exquisite timepieces. Together, they create a multi-layered journey through time, design, and craftsmanship, where learning and inspiration flow seamlessly.
The rhythm of the week guides visitors from the grand vistas of Burj Park to the intimacy of hands-on workshops, with each space designed to illuminate the processes, philosophy, and aesthetics that define contemporary watchmaking. Every demonstration, every discussion, every exhibition contributes to a comprehensive appreciation of horology as both art and science.
Dubai Watch Week 2025 confirms that watches are far more than instruments to measure time; they are vessels of culture, creativity, and human ingenuity. Each session—whether an exhibition, a masterclass, or a panel discussion—offers a window into the skill, dedication, and vision that shape modern watchmaking. The week transforms the simple act of observing time into a rich, immersive narrative, celebrating the meeting of heritage, innovation, and design in one of the world’s most inspiring luxury platforms.
By Katya Marletta