What to expect at next week’s Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition

The Qatari Big 5, global names ranging from Chanel and Cartier to Graff and Rolex, independent jewellers from France, India, Lebanon and Turkey, and emerging designers from Doha, there is plenty at the Doha Jewellery & Watches exhibition to keep visitors enthralled.

The 14th edition of the annual DJWE event is being held this year from February 20 to February 25 in Doha’s West Bay area. Centred on a fairy-tale-inspired theme – Once Upon a Time … Luxury – the event will showcase more than 400 brands through 40 exhibitors from 10 countries.

Qatar’s top luxury groups, including Al Fardan, Ali bin Ali, Al Darwish, Al Majed and Blue Salon will take over the majority of the stalls. Between them, these groups represent and retail many of the world’s biggest watch and jewellery houses in Qatar, and have been exhibiting at DJWE since its inception more than a decade ago. Some of the high-profile brands they will showcase this year include Hublot, Patek Philippe, Van Cleef & Arpels, Ulysse Nardin, Montblanc, Boucheron, Breitling and MB&F.

In addition, Qatar’s most prestigious shopping destination, Fifty One East, has launched the Young Qatari Designers initiative, a platform enabling budding local talent to showcase their collections. The designers that have been brought on board this year include: Noor Al Fardan, known for her Arabian and henna-inspired designs; Nada Al Sulaiti, who embodies the concept of wearable art; Sarah Al Hammadi, who specialises in bridal and wedding jewellery; Fajr Al Attiya, who creates symbolic four-leaf clover designs; Nouf Al Meer, who is inspired by animals and nature; and Ghada Al Bouanain, who works with unconventional materials such as pipes and wires.

Another first at DJWE this year is the Objectif Horlogerie workshop. Enthusiasts can play watchmaker for a day by attending this accredited session conducted by the Paris-based clock-specialists. Guests can observe and participate in the disassembling, cleaning, lubrication, reassembling and adjustment of a mechanical timepiece. Takebacks include a diploma from Objectif Horlogerie as well as a manual and tutorial, so you can continue to practise your new skills. The 90-minute sessions are held several times over the course of the five days and are free to preregister for on the website.

Lovers of classic and vintage jewellery are in for a treat, too. A specially curated exhibition will showcase vintage, privately owned jewels and timepieces never before shown in Doha. Additionally, you can visit stalls by seven independent jewellers: Davidor from France, Bellina Collection from Italy, Voyageur from Lebanon, Baheti from India, Karun Jewellery from Turkey, Anan Anjamani from Thailand and Amber by Mazukna from Lithuania.

State-of-the-art timepieces and vintage and contemporary jewels aside, the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition will also play host to Studio Harcourt, which opened its doors in Paris in 1934. Known for its high-profile clients – from Salvador Dalí and Queen Rania of Jordan to Marion Cotillard, Michael Schumacher Kevin Spacey and Karl Lagerfeld – the studio will set up a temporary pavilion at DJWE where visitors can get their own black-and-white Harcourt’s portrait, shot using its characteristic style, lighting and make-up.​

The Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition is from February 20 to 25 this year. Entry is free, and is reserved for visitors over the age of 12. For more information, visit www.djwe.qa.

pmunyal@thenational.ae