A Moment In Time

Picture this: you’re wearing a sequined, couture evening gown with a pair of dainty six-inch stilettos. Now a different scenario: you’re wearing a ready-to-wear, printed playsuit for a ladies’ coffee morning paired with studded sneakers. Did you visualise accessories for both looks? Perhaps a layered diamond necklace for your gown with a plunging neckline or a leather strapped watch with a stone-studded rose dial for your romper. If you didn’t, then it’s time to understand (and take advantage of) the power of accessories –they can transform your outfit – from watches to all sorts of jewellery.

The history of watches began in 16th-century Europe, where they evolved from portable spring-driven clocks, which first appeared in the 15th century. Nuremberg clockmaker Peter Henlein is often credited as the first German craftsman who made clock-watches, ornamental timepieces worn as pendants close to the body. However, other German clockmakers were also creating miniature timepieces during this period, which were fastened to clothing. Pocket watches came around in the 17th century and men began to wear watches in their pockets instead of as pendants, though women wore them as pendants right into the 20th century.

Watches evolved as accurate instruments to track time only in the 19th century. That being said, they continue to be worn as an embellishment. Adorning the wrists of fashion-enthusiasts and style connoisseurs, these pieces of jewellery – with their precious-stone-studded dials – elevate looks in seconds (pun intended). They are a creative platform for designers to express their ideas and showcase their personalities.

Jewellery is an intrinsic part of the Bedouin Arab culture; Oriental pearls and precious and semi-precious metals and stones are popular among the locals. Ethnic designs, like the iconic gold coin and those incorporating Arabic lettering and lunar influences are ubiquitous at weddings and traditional gatherings. Arabs have also embraced modern and contemporary as well as international styles. Bespoke and ready-to-wear timepieces and jewellery –Arabic dial watches, mother of pearl, pendants and signets integrating Arabic calligraphy, soft tassels and beads – that blend both local and global cultural influences are widely accepted.

The truth is that we love alluring wearable ornaments in this part of the world and with the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) happening this month, we are professing our admiration for this intriguing and exciting universe. The exhibition takes place from May 9 to 13 at the Doha Exhibition and Conference Centre (DECC). The DJWE is on its 18th edition and is hosting more than 65 exhibitors, including 500 renowned international brands and exclusive pavilions from Turkey and India. We hope you enjoy our selection of beautiful gems and timepieces from the most recognisable brands in the world.

The Graff Wild Flower collection combines a fresh perspective and contemporary reinterpretation of the jeweller’s heritage floral motif.

Paying a joyful tribute to the English Garden, the Graff Wild Flower collection is modern, feminine and youthful. Untamed femininity, cheerful irreverence and a daring youthfulness lie at the heart of this capsule, highlighting their founder Laurence Graff’s fascination with the emotional power of gemstones. Delicately designed, these diamond studded creations set in white gold inspire you to explore and freely express yourself. You can wear the pieces singly or in combination with others, as each piece in the collection is distinct but complements the others.

A one-of-its-kind bouquet, the Graff Wild Flower collection brings beautiful blooms to adorn your hands, ears and neck – with rings, bangles, bracelets, earrings, necklaces and pendants – each carefully crafted down to the last petal by master artisans. The floral motifs are set in such a way that each petal gently lifts toward the person wearing the piece with sculptural volume and organic asymmetry, creating the illusion of an abundantly blooming garden of fresh flowers. The Graff Wild Flower collection includes four flower styles in different sizes and arrangements, from trios and individual blooms to floral clusters and blossoms laid out in a row.

It highlights the brand’s expertise in creating more adventurous jewellery, especially when the jewellery industry was highly conventional. Each jewel is unique, much like the woman wearing it; however, it complements the capsule as a whole, which is why you can wear these signature pieces in any combination, making the Graff diamonds your own.

Floral motifs have long been part of the brand’s heritage. For over half a century, Graff has operated at the very pinnacle of the high-end jewellery industry, discovering and crafting diamonds of brilliance and rarity, transforming the brand into a global hallmark of innovation, creativity and craftsmanship. With the Graff Wild Flower collection, they explore a fresh perspective and contemporary reinterpretation of the flower – one that’s wild – free from tradition – and bursting with life. The Graff Wild Flower is a statement of empowerment. We love the Wild Flower Large Diamond Cluster Ring and Wild Flower Diamond Sautoir Necklace – statement pieces that will instantly elevate your ensemble while still retaining the delicateness of a flower – empowered and feminine.