Watch & jewellery event now taking place over five days
Two Seminars sponsored by Sotheby’s held with a full house
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-: Riyadh International Luxury Week has met with great success since its opening on Tuesday 24th and has been extended for a day to meet demand; the event will now conclude on Saturday 28th May. Visitors have been left in awe of the creations on display, with queues forming outside some booths for those wishing to get up close with a plethora of glittering gems and pioneering timepieces.
Both Seminars arranged in line with the Riyadh International Luxury Week were also at full capacity. Sponsored by world-renowned Sotheby’s, the largest, most trusted and dynamic marketplace for art and luxury, it was the first time such panels have been held in Saudi Arabia.
The first Seminar on Wednesday 25th, “Jewellery Industry”, was opened with a keynote speech by Krayem AlEnazi, President of the National Committee for Precious Metals and Gemstones. Nezar Jamil Mukhtar, Member of the National Committee for Precious Metals and Gemstones and Member of Gold & Jewellery Committee of Riyadh Chamber, Sophie Stevens, Jewellery Specialist at Sotheby’s, Nadine Attar, Founder and Designer of Nadine Jewellery and Seema Haji, Designer, Blogger and Journalist took to the stage to discuss gemstones, traditional hand-drawing vs 3D jewellery design, e-commerce and conventional trading, introducing collections to international auction houses, and other topics.
Thursday 26th saw the second Seminar take place. Entitled “Watchmaking and Collecting”, panellists Frederic Watrelot, Watch Specialist at Sotheby’s, Khalid Al Seif, Watch Collector and Blogger and Nader Freiha, Founder & Managing Director of Riyadh International Luxury Week, hosted the talk with special guest H.E. Evelyne Genta, wife of the late Gerald Genta, participating virtually from London. Guests were guided through starting a collection, buying and selling at auctions, the pre-owned market, complications, global watch exhibitions, and more.
“We are delighted with the outcome of this year’s edition of Riyadh International Luxury Week,” said Nader Freiha. “With an unprecedented number of visitors and immense enthusiasm, and upon the request of exhibitors, we took the decision to extend the event by to meet demand. With the wedding season in full swing, we’ve seen many female visitors over the course of the event; overall, it is clear to see that those in Saudi Arabia are beyond receptive to the beauty and innovation of watches and jewellery,” he added.