Just another day in Dubai. You head onto a man-made island in the shape of a Palm Tree in your 4X4. Drive for miles to the top of ‘the tree in the sea’ and turn left at the impressive Atlantis, The Palm hotel, and pull up at the opulent Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.
You valet park your car and walk across the hot marble before immersing yourself in the air-conditioned glory of the luxe lobby. Another day, another world-class, five-star hotel to tick off the ‘been there’ list.
But I’m not here to enjoy the Talise spa or explore the fine dining options or uber-cool bars (sadly). I’m here to look at some watches. But not just any old watches.
I’m meeting the CEO of luxury Swiss brand Quinting – the only brand in the world to make transparent timepieces. Transparent? Yes. Ever since Cartier created his famous Mystery watch in 1913, watchmakers have been trying to perfect see-through wristwatch.
It took them 7 years, but the first Quinting masterpiece was unveiled in 1999.
Since then, the brand has adorned the wrists of world leaders like Bill Clinton, Vladimir Putin and Kofi Annan, as well as many Swiss presidents. French actor Gerard Depardieu is also a devotee, and no doubt puts the watch through more rigorous and unusual challenges…
So, that’s your 30-second cheat sheet on Quinting.
I met with the CEO Pascal Berclaz in the Levant (high jewellery and watches) store in Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. Pascal is a friendly and interesting man, and after discussing the brand’s history and forward trajectory, the important of the UAE market, the rise of China and brilliant counterfeits, Pascal delves into his bag and pulls out images of a brand new range that they are launching. Today. And I am the first to see them. They are even right here in the store.
So please allow me to introduce the Quinting Art Collection. Transparent watches with hand-painted enamel faces, with uniqueness as a main attraction.
The Moonlight
The Moonlight is another first for Quinting – the only moon phase watch to have the moon revolving around the earth, accurately showing its phases. As an extra touch, a comet flies around the planet every hour. Want more? The limited edition of 360 pieces represents the 360 degrees of the earth, and each piece has a different view of the planet from space, painted by hand.
Glowing Polo
We also got our hands on the Glowing Polo watch, sure to be a hit in equestrian circles. Why glowing? The rider and horse are in a special phosphorescent paint, meaning it glows in the dark.
The Cherry Blossom
The Koi Fish
Completing the set are The Cherry Blossom and The Koi Fish – the latter unashamedly aimed at the Far East market.
More on Quinting and their new watches in a future issue of Concierge magazine…
Rob Nicholas is discussing. 