Watch collectors’ growth in Qatar, Middle East

Renowned auctioneers Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo have taken note of the growing number of watch collectors from Qatar and the wider Middle East region. The rise of online auctions amid the coronavirus pandemic has sparked interest among the area’s watch enthusiasts. Exhibitions like the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) have also helped bring exclusive timepieces right to the doors of these collectors. Alexandre Ghotbi, Head of Watches and Continental Europe, and Middle East Director, believes that the event is an opportunity to connect with a market that is becoming increasingly important.

Ghotbi also observed that in the past five to six years, more Middle Eastern collectors have participated in auctions. He mentioned that there is an enormous demand, knowledge, and appetite for the types of watches that Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo offer. Compared to Europe or America, where the older generation makes up a significant population of collectors, the collectors in the Middle East are much younger. He further stated that the sustainability feature of watches is also a factor that appeals to collectors in the region.