Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New Perrelet x Diaa Allam Launches at Dubai Watch Week
A collaboration with renowned Emirati calligrapher enlivens the lower dial of Perrelet’s spinning Turbine model.
Now a key event on the global watch calendar, Dubai Watch Week celebrates its seventh edition this year with over 90 brands. Like some of the participating brands, Perrelet has created a special edition for the event that reflects the UAE’s culture. Collaborating with renowned Emirati calligrapher and performer Diaa Allam, Perrelet unveils a limited edition of its signature Turbine watch.
Perrelet’s patented Double Rotor of 1995, which features a second rotor on the dial connected to the rear rotor in the automatic movement, led to the development of the Turbine concept in 2009. Fitted with a free-spinning upper rotor inspired by the propellers of a jet turbine and rotating at full speed with your wrist movements, the 12 black anodised aluminium blades fitted with five tungsten counterweights reveal flashes of the lower dial. As one of the UAE’s most prominent artists, Diaa Allam is known for his dynamic, modern approach to calligraphy, bold colour combinations, and enormous urban murals.
The Turbine model selected for the collaboration features a unique artwork by Diaa Allam painted on the lower dial, revealed as the turbine spins. Composed of multicoloured segments inspired by traditional palm leaf wickerwork, the surfaces are inscribed with scrolling Arabic letters. Like a whirling dervish, the faster the turbine’s rotation, the more spectacular the effect. In contrast to the all-black case, glimpses of the artwork appear fleetingly on the dial like magic.
The matte black hour ring has applied indices and Eastern Arabic numerals at 12, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 o’clock, all treated with white Super-LumiNova. In addition, the printed white minutes/seconds track on the flange also features Eastern Arabic numerals. For enhanced legibility, the hour and minute hands have SLN, and the central seconds hand is red.
The 41mm case is crafted in grade 2 titanium with a resilient black DLC coating and has a thickness of 13.9mm. Water-resistant to 100 metres, the dial and caseback are protected by a sapphire crystal and the case middle is decorated with vertical grooves. The Arabic inscription on the caseback reads: “The pulses of the heart do softly chime, life is but seconds – fleeting steps in time.” Matching the black case, the rubber strap is black with a black DLC-coated pin buckle.
As part of the Festina Group since 2004, Perrelet benefits from movements produced by its sister company, Soprod. This Turbine model is equipped with the calibre P-331-MH, an in-house automatic movement with COSC and Chronofiable chronometer certification. Its regulating organ beats at 28,800vph, and the single barrel delivers a 42-hour power reserve.
The Perrelet x Diaa Allam is a limited edition of 50 pieces and retails for CHF 5,180. More information at Perrelet.com.
