DUBAI // A custom-made watch bearing the image of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, went on display last night at an art gallery.
The watch, crafted by Andre Martinez for the Swiss watchmaker Bovet, was the centrepiece at Cuadro Fine Art Gallery's new calligraphy exhibition, which was organised alongside the Dubai Arabic Calligraphy Centre.
The Mashq Exhibition consists of 39 pieces of contemporary art that showcase traditional calligraphic techniques. The watch was commissioned by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the Dubai based jewellery company that is sponsoring the exhibition.
It took the artist eight months, sometimes working 20 hours a day, to complete the mother of pearl dial depicting Sheikh Mohammed.
Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, the vice president of Sales and Retail for Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, said in the first 15 minutes of opening the exhibition he had 10 offers to purchase the timepiece.
"We came up with the concept of the watch as a way to honour His Highness who has done so much to create this city. After all his vision, this is the least we could do.
"It will be sold on a first-come first-served basis," he said. Bashar al Shroogi, the director of Cuadro said the watch was not the main focus of the show.
"It is eye catching, but it is actually an aside. The main thing visitors will take away with them is the ability to be able to appreciate both the traditional art of calligraphy in a modern art style. Many people don't see calligraphy as an art form, they see it as a craft. We are trying to change this idea."
The opening of the exhibition in the space at Dubai International Financial Centre was attended by Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid, chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. The exhibition will run until October 16.