Each spring, over 100,000 industry professionals descend upon the sleepy Swiss city of Basel for the Baselworld watch and jewellery fair - an eight-day jamboree of luxury goods on an epic scale, set in a city of gleaming multi-storey exhibition stands with industry titans Rolex and Patek Philippe serving as towering gate guards.
This year's edition of Baselworld, celebrating its 40th anniversary, was marked by a distinct air of optimism. For despite the economic downturn, the Swiss watch industry is in ruder health than ever, with 2011 exports up 19.2 per cent to nearly CHF 19.3 billion - a state of affairs reflected by the watches themselves.
The trend for simple, pared-down pieces that so characterised 2009 and 2010 has yielded to more daring functionality (worldtimers are rife this year), technical innovation (high-tech case materials as well as new interpretations of the inner mechanics) and design (both colour and dial layout), as well as an unflagging love affair with all things vintage and retro. Here's six of the best in show.
1. Breitling Transocean Chronograph Unitime
This 'universal time' watch from the popular aviator brand harks back to the golden age of air travel. Developed and produced entirely in-house at Breitling, the worldtimer function allows you to instantly tell the time in any of the world's 24 timezones, simply by twiddling the crown.
2. Patek Philippe ref. 7140 Ladies First Perpetual Calendar
Switzerland's most revered watchmaker has always paid due attention to the burgeoning female interest in "proper" mechanical watches, avoiding the Swiss habit of merely downsizing men's models and making them pink. This dainty number is arguably the industry's first ever perpetual calendar to be purpose-built for ladies - a remarkable piece whose date only needs correcting in 2100, when we skip a leap year.
3. Chanel Première Flying Tourbillon
It's 25 years since Chanel launched its Première, whose shape was inspired by the octagonal geometry of Paris' Place Vendôme and echoed in the N°5 perfume bottle stopper. Reflecting women's growing appreciation for mechanical timepieces, the anniversary piece boasts a flying tourbillon complication - a mesmerizing merry-go-round sat proud of the dial, in the form of a camellia, Mademoiselle Chanel's favourite flower.
4. Chopard LUC 8HF
An unusually techy watch from Chopard's vaunted LUC factory, the titanium-cased 8HF is the first watch to house a high-frequency (8Hz or 57,600 vibrations per hour) mechanical movement that has passed the rigorous 'chronometer' precision test, conducted by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).
5. Bulgari Serpenti
Immortalised by lifelong Bulgari devotee Elizabeth Taylor, the coiled Serpenti bracelet watch is one of the Roman jeweller's most iconic pieces. This new model in pink gold and black enamel could easily look the part on the wrist of Cleopatra herself.
6. Bell & Ross WWI Heure Sautante
A refreshing antidote to the French brand's uncompromising 'Instruments', this jumping-hour watch is a lesson in reserve and elegance. It joins the retro 'WWI' collection, typified by the wire lugs found on early "trench" watches.
Sukuk explained
Sukuk are Sharia-compliant financial certificates issued by governments, corporates and other entities. While as an asset class they resemble conventional bonds, there are some significant differences. As interest is prohibited under Sharia, sukuk must contain an underlying transaction, for example a leaseback agreement, and the income that is paid to investors is generated by the underlying asset. Investors must also be prepared to share in both the profits and losses of an enterprise. Nevertheless, sukuk are similar to conventional bonds in that they provide regular payments, and are considered less risky than equities. Most investors would not buy sukuk directly due to high minimum subscriptions, but invest via funds.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Company%20Profile
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Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
Stage 2
1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix 4:18:30
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:06
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:06
4. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:06
5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:08
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Company%20profile
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The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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