Maison Piaget has unveiled the second edition of the Limelight Gala watch crafted in tandem with local designer Shamsa Alabbar. A Ramadan Limited Edition timepiece
While time takes on a sacred rhythm during Ramadan, Piaget unveils a timepiece that harmonizes with the spiritual heritage of the region. For more than half a century, the Limelight Gala watch has stood as a symbol of Piaget’s artistry, blending elegant design with technical prowess. The collection’s signature features – sensual curves, asymmetrical lugs, and a harmonious fusion of gemstones and precious metals – have made it an icon of timeless sophistication. This Ramadan, Piaget chooses to once again explore an inspiring collaboration with a highly contemporary designer brimming with personality. A leading figure in the contemporary Arab jewelry world, since 2013, Shamsa Alabbar has been transposing the ancient codes of the Arabian Peninsula into a series of graphic pieces in which calligraphy and typography find new expression, bringing her distinctive vision to this timepiece that celebrates both tradition, heritage and artistry during the holy month.
A Dial Inspired by Heritage: Honoring the UAE’s Maritime Legacy
At the heart of this timepiece lies its captivating dial, where intricate gold arabesque motifs are delicately set on mother-of-pearl—an homage to the UAE’s rich maritime heritage. For the Emirati designer, this design holds profound personal significance, deeply rooted in her family’s history. Her grandfathers played pivotal roles in the region’s seafaring traditions—one as a distinguished Dhow captain, the other as a skilled pearl diver. Their journeys and enduring legacy, from navigating vast trade routes to diving into the depths in search of treasures, are now beautifully captured in this horological masterpiece. Building on the success of the first edition, which was also inspired by the designer’s signature Token design— a motif she’s made iconic throughout her jewelry collection—the new Limelight Gala watch introduces a mesmerizing dial. The gold arabesque motifs harmoniously complement the iridescence of the mother-of-pearl. Like pearls, mother-of-pearl has long been a symbol of the rich history of the UAE’s Gulf.
“I will always remember the fascination and emotion I felt at the Piaget Manufacture, witnessing the artisan patiently carve the bracelet through different calibrated movements. We were speaking different languages and yet, we perfectly understood each other, down to the tiniest detail. This feeling remains even today when I take a look at this new creation that carries both our names”, said Shamsa Alabbar.
Much more than a simple arabesque, the dial also pays homage to Arabic typography and the iconic mashrabiya and distils the charm of a culture that is, now more than ever, part of the zeitgeist. Surrounded by the signature lush, asymmetrical waltz of diamonds on the bezel and lungs, the gaze follows the graphic pattern of the iconic Decor Palace bracelet, engraved by hand in Piaget’s Ateliers de L’Extraordinaire. An iconic bracelet, which embodies the Maison’s unparalleled expertise in watchmaking, jewellery and goldsmithing. This collaboration will be presented during Ramadan at selected Piaget Boutiques to celebrate the House of Gold and the jewelry watches, one of the cornerstones of Maison Piaget’s success.
Piaget Limelight Gala
For more than half a century, the Limelight Gala has stood as a symbol of Piaget’s artistry, blending elegant design with technical prowess. The collection’s signature features – sensual curves, asymmetrical lugs, and a harmonious fusion of gemstones and precious metals – have made it an icon of timeless sophistication. This season, Piaget adorns a mesmerizing gold engraved pattern on its two new Limelight Gala creations, which embody the Maison’s unparalleled expertise in watchmaking, jewellery and goldsmithing.
