Time in Motion: Six Highlights from Ahmed Seddiqi’s Series of 75th Anniversary Timepieces
With the start of Dubai Watch Week just over a week away, today we’re highlighting six anniversary editions that exemplify Ahmed Seddiqi’s, the founder of this biennial event, decades of innovative design, technical mastery, and distinctive horological character.
As the leading luxury watch and jewelry destination in the UAE, Ahmed Seddiqi has been celebrating its 75th anniversary this year by collaborating with renowned watchmakers to unveil exclusive, limited-edition timepieces.
To mark this milestone, today, we’re spotlighting the anniversary collaborations with Ressence, Chronoswiss, Gerald Charles, DOXA, MB&F, and Ulysse Nardin, as these six brands have pushed boundaries to create limited editions that seamlessly blend design, heritage, and mechanical mastery.
From sand-textured desert dials to diamond-set haute horology, each watch tells a story of craftsmanship and creativity.
Sand in Motion: The Ressence Type 9 S75
A limited edition of just 20 pieces and the first 75th anniversary collaboration to be released, the Type 9 S75 by Ressence is a refined fusion of art, innovation, and regional heritage that embodies the essence of the UAE, as its dial, made from real sand collected from the dunes of all seven Emirates, transforms the watch into an enchanting desert landscape.
Each grain, bonded to the titanium discs, gives a unique shimmering texture under light. Moreover, encased in a polished 39mm Grade 5 titanium case weighing only 40 grams, the watch feels effortlessly sleek and modern, complemented by another subtle tribute to Emirati culture: a camel leather strap.
At its heart, the Type 9 S75 is powered by Ressence’s patented ROCS 9 (Ressence Orbital Convex System), based on a modified ETA 2892/2 calibre. The orbital display replaces hands with rotating discs for hours and minutes, mounted on jewel bearings for smooth motion.
Meanwhile, engraved indications filled with Super-LumiNova enhance legibility while maintaining Ressence’s signature minimalist design. Even the bezel doubles as a minute indicator, showcasing the brand’s dedication to simplicity and innovation.
Lastly, beyond its mechanics, the Type 9 S75 holds poetic meaning, as using desert sand to measure time reimagines the ancient hourglass for the modern era. Ressence Founder Benoît Mintiens calls it a meeting of nature and technology – a living sculpture in titanium, glass, and sand. Too true.
Heritage in Motion: The Chronoswiss Strike Two S75
Limited to only 12 pieces, the Strike Two S75 by Chronoswiss combines precision engineering and cultural artistry within a compact 40mm stainless steel case and celebrates the spirit of the UAE via its sand-colored CVD-coated dial inspired by the region’s sweeping deserts.
The watch’s horizontal regulator layout, a Chronoswiss signature, displays hours and small seconds in Hindu-Arabic numerals, while the hand-guilloché decoration on the small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock exemplifies the meticulous craftsmanship of the brand’s Lucerne Atelier.
At its core, the Strike Two S75 is powered by the Chronoswiss Manufacture Calibre C.6000, a self-winding movement that delivers a 55-hour power reserve. The movement’s ruthenium finishing and tungsten rotor enhance both durability and visual refinement, visible through the sapphire caseback. The three-dimensional dial architecture, complemented by polished hands and faceted indices, harmonizes traditional guilloché artistry with modern geometry and material innovation.
More than a timepiece, the Strike Two S75 is a celebration of cultural dialogue and horological mastery. Every glance at the dial reveals a fusion of heritage, craftsmanship, and contemporary design, turning the passage of time into a tactile and visual experience. It stands as a true collector’s creation – a bridge between the traditions of Swiss watchmaking and the poetic landscapes of the Middle East.
Minimalist Baroque in Motion: The Gerald Charles Maestro 2.0 Tiger’s Eye
Limited to just 20 pieces, each dial of the Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin Tiger’s Eye by Gerald Charles is carved from the rare fibrous quartz known as tiger’s eye and meticulously cut and polished using diamond-tipped tools to preserve the stone’s structural integrity while maximizing its golden chatoyancy – a dynamic light effect that shifts with every movement of the wrist.
With no indices or minute track, this mesmerizing expanse of the tiger’s eye becomes the focal point, interrupted only by baton hands coated in Super-LumiNova for enhanced legibility against the rich, organic background. Moreover, the golden tones of the dial are beautifully complemented by the 39 x 41mm stainless steel case, featuring a warm bronze-toned Colormix finish, and a sand-colored vulcanized rubber strap, both of which subtly evoke the desert landscapes of the UAE.
Inside, the Manufacture Calibre 2.0 – an ultra-thin automatic movement with hours, minutes, seconds, and a discreet date at 6 o’clock – offers a solid 50-hour power reserve. Finely decorated with Côtes de Genève and perlage finishing, the movement reflects the brand’s dedication to true haute horlogerie craftsmanship.
The Maestro 2.0 Tiger’s Eye is a rare convergence of natural artistry and mechanical precision, embodying Gerald Charles’ signature “minimalist-baroque” design philosophy that blends expressive form and functional clarity. By integrating raw natural beauty with meticulous engineering, the watch transcends timekeeping to become a wearable work of art, offering collectors a truly distinctive expression of elegance, rarity, and modern refinement.
Legacy in Motion: The DOXA SUB 250 Ahmed Seddiqi
Limited to only 75 pieces, the SUB 250 Ahmed Seddiqi by DOXA features a 40 × 42.9mm stainless steel cushion-shaped case, seamlessly uniting professional dive watch engineering with refined aesthetic expression to radiate a bold yet balanced presence on the wrist.
The cherry red sunray dial, paired with sand-gold-colored hands and indices, creates a vivid interplay of color and light that reflects both energy and elegance. Distinctive Eastern Arabic numerals adorn the date disc and bezel, offering a thoughtful nod to regional heritage, while Super-LumiNova coatings ensure exceptional readability above and below the surface.
The result is a timepiece that merges cultural nuance with DOXA’s deep-rooted expertise in functional design.
Powered by the Swiss-made Sellita SW300 automatic movement, offering a 56-hour power reserve for lasting performance, the SUB 250 features a screwdown crown, flat sapphire crystal, and DOXA’s patented unidirectional bezel. Every element is crafted for both strength and style, staying true to DOXA’s legacy of precision engineering and diving excellence.
The SUB 250 Ahmed Seddiqi is offered with either a stainless steel “beads of rice” bracelet or a black FKM rubber strap, ensuring adaptability across both formal and active settings.
Encapsulating precision, versatility, and cultural heritage, the SUB 250 Ahmed Seddiqi is a fitting tribute to the UAE’s spirit of innovation and tradition, as it transforms a functional instrument into an emblem of craftsmanship and identity, blending DOXA’s storied diving DNA with contemporary sophistication.
Perpetual Precision in Motion: The MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual
For the occasion, MB&F recently presented two extraordinary Legacy Machine Perpetual interpretations – the LM Perpetual EVO 75th Anniversary Seddiqi Limited Edition and the LM Perpetual Baguette Diamonds 75th Anniversary Seddiqi Limited Edition – both of which represent the friendship, trust, and shared passion for horology upon which the brand’s long-standing partnership with the retailer was built. Limited to seven pieces, the LM Perpetual EVO 75th Anniversary Seddiqi Limited Edition features a lightweight grade 5 titanium case that frames an anthracite dial with striking blue sub-dials, creating a bold yet balanced visual contrast.
Meanwhile, beneath its sculptural dial, the EVO houses MB&F’s fully integrated perpetual calendar by Stephen McDonnell, ensuring precise displays of the date, month, leap year, and day. Enhanced with the FlexRing shock-absorber system and boasting 80 meters of water resistance, this limited-edition EVO strikes a balance between mechanical sophistication and everyday wearability.
In contrast, the LM Perpetual Baguette Diamonds 75th Anniversary Seddiqi Limited Edition, which is limited to only five pieces, elevates refinement and luxury to new heights, pairing a polished stainless steel case with a bezel set with 48 baguette-cut diamonds. Its deep blue dial provides an excellent contrast for the floating black sub-dials, highlighting the watch’s intricate three-dimensional architecture.
Powered by the same LM Perpetual calibre as the EVO, this LM Perpetual Baguette Diamonds merges floating complications, diamond-set elegance, and advanced engineering, perfectly capturing the celebratory spirit of Ahmed Seddiqi’s 75th anniversary alongside MB&F’s inventive watchmaking.
Lightness in Motion: The Ulysse Nardin Diver [AIR] Seddiqi
Limited to only 30 pieces, the Diver [AIR] Seddiqi 75th Anniversary Edition by Ulysse Nardin blends advanced engineering with contemporary style, featuring a 44mm case made from 90% recycled titanium that is complemented by Nylo-Foil side panels and a CarbonFoil bezel.
This bold, eco-conscious construction reflects Ulysse Nardin’s dedication to sustainability and innovation. Meanwhile, to pay tribute to the sea’s depths while celebrating 75 years of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, this piece’s “dial” is finished in a vibrant ocean blue with rhodium-plated markers and Super-LumiNova details.
At its core, the Diver [AIR] is powered by the UN-374 Manufacture calibre – a striking openworked movement that reflects the brand’s innovative use of silicon. This advanced material helps the watch run with impressive accuracy and efficiency, while offering a generous 90-hour power reserve. Built to withstand depths of up to 200 meters, the Diver [AIR] is more than just a bold design statement; it’s a professional-grade diving watch that blends cutting-edge materials, expert craftsmanship, and modern transparency.
This anniversary edition is offered with both a vibrant blue elastic strap and an additional white rubber strap, secured by a black ceramic and PVD titanium folding clasp for versatility and durability. The Diver [AIR] Seddiqi 75th Anniversary Edition celebrates performance, sustainability, and horological artistry in equal measure.
Don’t Miss the Next Chapters
Collectors and watch enthusiasts are invited to follow Watchonista’s Instagram to stay updated and explore the upcoming limited editions celebrating Ahmed Seddiqi’s 75th anniversary. Each release highlights the artistry, technical mastery, and unique collaborations that define this exceptional milestone.
For a complete overview of all anniversary timepieces, in-depth details, and insights into these extraordinary creations, please visit the Ahmed Seddiqi website.
