Preview: 7th Dubai Watch Week and First Timezones Fair, One Week in November 2025
Over 160 watch brands will welcome collectors and enthusiasts for a week filled with showcases, engagement, and meetups.
I have often heard glowing recommendations from watch friends about Dubai Watch Week. The idea of attending has been tempting, especially since I have never been to Dubai. Our family trip in 2020 had to be cancelled because of the global pandemic, so this year feels like the right time. The chance to see so many brands in one place, while meeting fellow watch lovers, is simply too good to pass up. I am pleased to share that I will be attending this major event, which takes place from November 19 to 23.
Adding to the excitement, a new event named Timezones will debut in Dubai from November 21 to 22, which is dedicated to independent watchmakers and microbrands. With more than 90 brands participating in Dubai Watch Week and over 70 brands confirmed for Timezones, the city will host a remarkable week of horological celebration and gathering.
We are now seven weeks away from the start of both events. If you plan to attend, please reach out so we can arrange to meet. If you are still deciding, here is some information that may help you consider joining.
Dubai Watch Week, November 19–23, 2025
Dubai Watch Week (DWW) stands among the world’s top three watch events, together with Watches and Wonders and Geneva Watch Days. What makes it unique is that it is organized by Ahmed Seddiqi, the leading luxury watch and jewelry retailer in the UAE. The event began in 2015 and has been held every other year since 2017.
The first DWW in 2015 hosted 14 participating brands and 2,500 visitors. The organizers must have discovered the right formula, as the event has continued to attract more brands and enthusiasts each edition. Its growth has been nothing short of impressive. In 2023, DWW featured more than 60 brands and drew over 23,000 visitors. That year also saw 20 new watch launches and more than 30 masterclasses during the busy week.
For 2025, the number of committed brands has increased to over 70, and attendance is expected to set a new record. The venue will move to a larger setting at Dubai Mall, Burj Park. With 2025 marking the 75th anniversary of Ahmed Seddiqi, it is highly likely that some brands will launch special timepieces to honor the milestone.
This year’s brand list is especially impressive. Industry giants such as Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Chopard, A. Lange & Söhne, Bulgari, and Van Cleef & Arpels will all take part. Even F.P.Journe, which usually avoids large events in favor of hosting its own Annual Salon, will be present at DWW.
Independent watch brands will also have a strong showing. Notable names include Kari Voutilainen, Roger W. Smith, Rexhep Rexhepi, MB&F, H. Moser & Cie., Greubel Forsey, De Bethune, and Armin Strom. The list continues far beyond these highlights. Few other places bring together so many leading brands under one roof.
A defining feature of DWW is the Horology Forum, where industry leaders, master watchmakers, veteran journalists, and seasoned collectors gather for open discussions. This year’s panels will address topics such as the state of the industry, luxury market trends, collector mindsets, design directions, and succession planning for brands.
Timezones, November 21–22, 2025
Timezones (IG: @timezones_official) is a new watch fair dedicated to independent and microbrands, one of the most exciting growth areas in the industry. The event is organized by Micro Indy Collective (MIC, IG: @microindycollective) and WatchCollectiveTwo (WCT, IG: @watchcollectivetwo).
Micro Indy Collective is a global community of thousands of enthusiasts, including more than 260 independent and microbrand owners. I am part of this thriving group, and the MIC Lounge chat on WhatsApp is the busiest thread on my phone. The best perk of being part of MIC is early or exclusive access to upcoming releases. MIC was founded by Omar Kabbani and Samuel Danho.
WatchCollectiveTwo, created by Ahmed Gawdat in the UAE, has built a strong community for micro and independent brands in the Middle East and beyond. Its mission is not only to share the joy of collecting but also to promote and support young watchmakers and brands.
Omar, Samuel, and Ahmed have now joined forces to create Timezones, a watch fair designed to showcase the world of micro and independent brands. The inaugural edition will take place on November 21–22, 2025, at the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa, Dubai. The fair will have a travel theme, with participating brands grouped by their country of origin, so visitors will move through different “timezones.” Even the entry tickets are designed like boarding passes, I already have mine.
More than 70 brands have signed up, and the full list is available on the official Instagram page. Among them are familiar names such as Furlan Marri, Reservoir, Felipe Pikullik, Baltic, Farer, Laine, Pequignet, and Zeitwinkel, to name a few.
Four brands I have featured in this newsletter will also be there: Christopher Ward, Sartory Billard, Kallinich Claeys, and Earthen. At the same time, there are many other makers I will be discovering for the first time, coming in from all over the world.
Highlights of the Shows
Dubai Watch Week (DWW) and Timezones will take place in the same week, and both are free to attend. For collectors, this is a strong reason to make the trip and engage with more than 160 watch brands. The large number of visitors is also good news for all the participating brands. It is truly a win-win.
I plan to visit as many booths as possible and speak with as many brands as I can while in Dubai. There are, however, a few I look forward to in particular, and they fall into three categories. Some have recently launched new watches that I want to see in person. Others are brands I have followed but never met before. Finally, there are brands I have already engaged with, and I would love to reconnect with them again.
Here are the brands and releases on my radar for both shows.
Roger Smith
No need to travel to the Isle of Man this time, as Roger Smith will be in Dubai. The brand just released Series 6 on September 1, featuring a traveling date complication.
F.P.Journe
On March 31, F.P.Journe unveiled the Chronomètre Furtif, the latest addition to its lineSport collection. The watch builds on the success of the tantalum Only Watch edition. It will be a thrill to see this piece in person at DWW.
David Candaux
Just last week, David Candaux presented the DC12 MaveriK, the brand’s first watch with double balances. The independent watchmaker is also known for the ingenious “Magic” crown that emerges with a simple press.
H. Moser & Cie.
Earlier this year, H. Moser & Cie. launched two Pioneer Flying Hours models, one with an aventurine dial and another with a white fumé dial. Their execution of the wandering hours complication is irresistible.
Hermès
At Watches and Wonders 2025, Hermès introduced the Arceau Le Temps Suspendu, a reinterpretation of its 2011 masterpiece. A push of the button at 9 o’clock makes the hour and minute hands jump to an “impossible” position near 12 while the date hand disappears. I cannot wait to see this playful complication in action.
Kollokium
I have a feeling this project, not a brand as the founders insisted, will present something new at the fair. For background, see my earlier article on their Projekt 01, Variant “d.”
Kudoke
I own a Kudoke 2 with a white mother of pearl dial, one of the earliest examples in this configuration. It will be wonderful to meet Stefan and Ev again and discover their latest novelties at DWW.
Ming
A few years ago, I tried three times but failed to secure a Ming during their release windows, and eventually gave up. With the brand now more prominent than ever, it feels like the right moment to take another look.
Ludovic Ballouard
I have long admired Ludovic Ballouard’s creations. Meeting the master watchmaker himself for the first time would be very special.
Rexhep Rexhepi
I have visited the Akrivia workshop twice but never met Rexhep there. Later, I met him and Annabelle at an event and even took a selfie together. It would be great to see them again in Dubai.
Trilobe
At Geneva Watch Days, Trilobe launched the Trente-Deux, a sports watch powered by a new in-house movement. The watch looked fantastic in photos, and I am eager to handle it in person.
Voutilainen
Kari Voutilainen will be a panelist at the Horology Forum during DWW, and I hope to see him at his booth as well. Although his watches are beyond reach for most collectors due to their prices and long wait time, it is always a treat to meet him and admire his work in person.
Felipe Pikullik
I have followed Felipe Pikullik on social media for a long time and enjoy his creativity. He is confirmed to launch a new model at Timezones, which makes his booth a must-visit.
Kallinich Claeys
This young independent brand from Glashütte, Germany, is one I have already written about. They will unveil a new model at Timezones, which I am eager to see.
Sartory Billard
I met Armand Billard in December 2023 at the delivery of his custom watches for the CronotempVs Watch Club. I wrote about the stunning Flying Tourbillon SB06-12 with a mother of pearl dial from that event. It will be a pleasure to meet Armand again at Timezones.
Getting together with Fellow Watch Lovers
In addition to visiting brand booths and attending panel discussions at the DWW Horology Forum, there will be many chances to meet collectors and enthusiasts from around the world. I look forward to connecting in person with several friends I first met through social media.
Events like Dubai Watch Week and Timezones are not only about watches, but also about the people who share this passion. Conversations often lead to new friendships, new perspectives, and sometimes even new watch discoveries.
Furthermore, many thanks to the Seddiqi Family for organizing and hosting Dubai Watch Week, which once again brings together the talents behind the brands and the collectors who appreciate them. Kudos also to Omar Kabbani, Samuel Danho, and Ahmed Gawdat for creating the Timezones Fair, and best of luck for this inaugural event.
For me, the best part will be the chance to enjoy this week of horology together with a global community. If you plan to attend, please reach out – it would be wonderful to meet in Dubai.