Why We Love It: A Bespoke Roger W. Smith That Is Basically Unobtainable
As a sign of the special-edition pieces on offer at Perpétuel, Founder & Chief Executive Hamdan Al Hudaidi has released pictures of his personal bespoke Series 2 by the acclaimed independent watchmaker.
By Steven Rogers
Contributor
A new era of watch collecting arrived when Perpétuel Gallery Limited, a gallery, consultancy, and watch store, opened its doors to the public at the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) Gate Village. Co-founded by seasoned watch collector and company founder & chief executive Hamdan Al Hudaidi and former Seddiqi Holding marketing and communications director Melika Yazdjerdi, the by-appointment space is a showcase and point-of-sale for special-edition contemporary watches and leather goods. But it also displays and sells carefully curated vintage timepieces as well.
Perpétuel began operating online at the beginning of this year. The gallery has already collaborated with artisanal independents Krayon to offer connoisseurs in the Gulf region and around the globe the chance to acquire a limited-edition Anywhere timepiece. With just 15 pieces created, the watch bears a one-of-a-kind design that pays homage to the Middle East via Eastern Arabic numerals and desert-inspired amber tones.
Accessible Collecting
It is not just high-end, high-priced limited series that Perpétuel is putting on its menu. The gallery has also joined forces with the likes of US-based brand Hoffman and French outfit Baltic to create far more accessibly priced special-edition watches.
“We launched Perpétuel with a Baltic collaboration,” said Yazdjerdi. “It was a strategic decision where we wanted to focus on a product that was accessible to a lot of people because many have the misconception that exclusive, collectible, and limited editions have to be super expensive.”
Treats in Store
As a teaser for the kind of treats we can further expect to come from Perpétuel, and the type of brands it may partner with, Al Hudaidi recently released pictures of a unique, personalized piece that he commissioned the legendary Roger W. Smith to create.
The one-off, open-dial Series 2 features a yellow gold-treated movement – including single-wheel co-axial escapement – housed in a 38mm platinum case and pays tribute to the region thanks to Hindu Arabic numerals on the dial and an intricate engraving of a date palm on the three-quarter plate, gear bridge, and balance cock, visible through the display back.
Based on the Isle of Man, it was the watchmaker’s idea to personalize it for Al Hudaidi in these and other bespoke ways. Including purple-flaming the hands of the central hour and minutes, small seconds, and power reserve indicator, as well as the screws.
Perfect in Every Respect
“This is without a doubt one of the most special pieces I have ever owned,” said Al Hudaidi in a press release about the watch. That’s quite a statement considering Al Hudaidi also owns a Series 1 by Smith, a unique Greubel Forsey Signature 1, Simplicity by Philippe Dufour, as well as a number of modern and vintage Patek Philippe timepieces.
He continued: “All you have to do to understand Roger as a horologist is take a look at this timepiece. It is perfect in every respect. I believe this is a prime example of the collaborations and stories of unique independent watchmakers that Perpétuel will be bringing to its members, both regionally and internationally.”
For more information, visit the Perpétuel website.
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