Sotheby’s Dubai is playing host to an array of important jewellery and watches until Sunday, with an exhibition to celebrate coming auctions.
The show marks the first time most of these pieces have been brought to the region and is an opportunity to get up close to rare and exceptional vintage and contemporary jewellery and watches.
Coinciding with Art Week, the exhibition is being held at the Sotheby's gallery in the Dubai International Financial Centre, and showcases items that will eventually be part of several major auctions. The jewellery, for example, will be part of two sales: Magnificent Jewels in New York on June 14, and Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva on May 10. The watches will also be sold in New York and Geneva in dedicated auctions.
Jewellery pieces on show
Sophie Stevens, deputy director at Sotheby's Dubai, highlights some of the significant jewellery pieces on show, such as The Earth Star diamond, a fancy deep orange-brown gem that featured in the book Famous Diamonds by Lord Ian Balfour. Now mounted into a pendant by David Webb, on an azurmalachite ground, it carries an estimated value of $1.5 million to $2.5m.
“Weighing 111.59 carats, this is the second-largest brown diamond to ever come to auction,” Stevens explains. The unusual setting against a blue stone, Stevens says, is meant to “represent the earth seen from above, with the sea and the land”.
Unusually, the stone will be offered at auction with no reserve, meaning it will sell to the highest bidder on the day, irrespective of value.
“The opening price is $1, so someone might be really, really, really lucky,” says Stevens.
Also on show is an intricately looped white diamond necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1955. Stevens explains why jewellery from this era is so desirable. “This is very typical of 1950s post-war design when people were really going back to bling. You see a lot of similarity between 1930s and 1950s jewellery, as people were going back to the pre-war glamour and extravagance. In the 1950s, we see a celebration of big stones, and big, voluptuous shapes, which worked well with the fashions of the time.”
Another highlight is a pair of rare Kashmir sapphire earrings. An intense, rich blue, the stones are well matched in colour and size, at close to 10 carats each, and are framed with white diamonds.
“Kashmir sapphires are held up as the ideal of how a sapphire should look, and command the strongest prices,” Stevens says. “They are incredibly rare, as they were discovered almost by accident around 1882 after a landslide, [when] they discovered a deposit of the most beautiful coloured sapphires. The mining stopped in 1887, so you are talking [about] five to six years of very intense mining. So they are very rare and very beautiful.”
Another pair of earrings expected to draw great interest are drop earrings comprising large, natural pearls, of a size and lustre that is increasingly rare to find. "It's always very nice to bring natural pearls back here to the Gulf."
It's not only vintage pieces on show, however. Also on display are two pieces by the contemporary designer Joel A Rosenthal, better known as JAR, who Diane von Furstenberg has dubbed the "Faberge of our time". Famously elusive, JAR maintains a low profile, despite the cost of his pieces, with no website and no shop.
"You don’t choose JAR to be your jewellery, he chooses you, and there are famous stories of him turning down commissions,” Stevens explains. With a background in textiles and fashion, JAR approaches design in a unique way. “These stones are set like cross-stitch, and he uses a lot of black and gold and titanium to emphasise the stones as well. On the brooch, the use of the pave setting is exquisite. You can see how difficult it would be to get that curve, and graduation of colours.”
Watches on display
Elsewhere in the exhibition are a collection of watches aimed at a very different audience.
“We have an amazing salmon dial 39mm Royal Oak Audemars Piguet,” explains Frederic Watrelot, senior director of watches. Audemars Piguet is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak watch, with its distinctive hexagonal shape. “The salmon dial is extremely popular, as they made these in the 1990s, but not after. And this is solid platinum,” says Watrelot.
Created in 1972 by Gerald Genta, the Royal Oak is one of his most famous designs. That one of his personal timepieces is to be included in the sale only adds to the interest. Made to Genta's personal specifications, this Royal Oak is unique.
With two models in the show, another name that draws high interest is FP Journe. Founded in 1977, it strictly limits output, from as low as 100 to never more than 1,000 watches per year, meaning its demand far outstrips supply. The pair on display are rare early examples of the Resonance and Tourbillon models, Watrelot explains. "These are extremely sought after, and collectors are just running after them." Such is the interest, the estimates of $500,000 are expected to be overtaken. "I wouldn’t be surprised if that doubled,” says Watrelot.
A variety of Rolexes, each with a fascinating story to tell, are also on display. There are two with links to Oman that pay homage to the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Sure to be of interest to regional collectors, each carries a tribute on the dial. “One has Qaboos written on the dial in Arabic in white gold and is more rare, and the other shows the Omani dagger, the khanjar,” Watrelot says.
He also points out a third, smaller timepiece that is expected to generate a lot of interest. At only 31 millimetres, it is in yellow gold, has a blue disc on the dial and Eastern Arabic numerals. “This is extremely rare. It is from the late 1950s and is in mint condition.”
Being in such good condition makes it a true rarity, Watrelot explains, and despite the estimate of 25,000 Swiss francs, he anticipates intense bidding. “I expect it will do a lot better, because if you look for another one, you just cannot find it. Especially in this condition.”
There is also a yellow gold Paul Newman Daytona Rolex from the late 1960s. “The name is a nickname,” Watrelot says. “Paul Newman was seen wearing one, so suddenly people started calling it the Paul Newman. It’s not a name given by Rolex at all."
Another Rolex with a nickname is the Daytona Paul Newman JPS that takes its name from the racing colours once prevalent in Formula One. "This is because of the black and yellow combination after the John Player Special colours of the 1980s."
Yet another Rolex is an example of a now-defunct sales technique. "This is a Tiffany & Co watch, so this watch was purchased from a Tiffany store in the 1970s. At that time, the jeweller would print the name on the dial, so this is super rare."
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Conditions Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m
8.50pm The Entisar Listed Dh265,000 (D) 2,000m
9.25pm The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm Majestic Thunder
7.05pm Commanding
7.40pm Mark Of Approval
8.15pm Mulfit
8.50pm Gronkowski
9.25pm Walking Thunder
10pm Midnight Sands
Grand Slam Los Angeles results
Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos
Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha
THE SCORES
Ireland 125 all out
(20 overs; Stirling 72, Mustafa 4-18)
UAE 125 for 5
(17 overs, Mustafa 39, D’Silva 29, Usman 29)
UAE won by five wickets
Results
6.30pm Madjani Stakes Rated Conditions (PA) I Dh160,000 I 1,900m I Winner: Mawahib, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm Maiden Dh150,000 I 1,400m I Winner One Season, Antonio Fresu, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Maiden Dh150,000 I 2,000m I Winner Street Of Dreams, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
8.15pm Dubai Creek Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,600m I Winner Heavy Metal, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm The Entisar Listed I Dh250,000 I 2,000m I Winner Etijaah, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
9.25pm The Garhoud Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,200m I Winner Muarrab, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
10pm Handicap I Dh160,000 I 1,600m I Winner Sea Skimmer, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
More on Turkey's Syria offence
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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South Korea
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYango%20Deli%20Tech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERetail%20SaaS%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESelf%20funded%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
