Marking two milestone anniversaries, Ahmed Seddiqi and Gerald Charles have unveiled the Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin Tiger’s Eye – a remarkable timekeeper limited to just 20 pieces.
Ahmed Seddiqi, established in 1950 and one of the leading luxury watch and jewellery retailers in the region, and Swiss independent watchmaker Gerald Charles, created the limited-edition timepiece to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Ahmed Seddiqi and a quarter century of Gerald Charles.
The horological innovation is the result of a close collaboration between Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, CEO of Ahmed Seddiqi, and Federico Ziviani, CEO of Gerald Charles, who are united by a longstanding friendship and a shared passion for horology.
“Working with Federico and the Gerald Charles team allowed us to create something truly distinctive and is a tribute to the industry as we honour craftsmanship and champion creating unique timepieces. The 75th anniversary of Ahmed Seddiqi is a remarkable milestone in our company’s history, and this collaboration is a representation of our shared values,” said Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi.
At the heart of the watch lies a dial crafted from tiger’s eye, a rare and visually striking fibrous quartz known for its golden shimmer and captivating chatoyancy, which has been reimagined with a modern edge, reflecting the spirit of both brands.
Due to the internal fragility of tiger’s eye, cutting and finishing it requires diamond-tipped tools, slow precision work and the expertise of a select few lapidary artisans. Each dial undergoes a strict selection process, with only the most visually balanced and structurally sound pieces making it through. The result is a dial that is not only technically complex but a work of natural art; unique, luminous and alive with visual texture.
In a bold first for Gerald Charles, the dial features no indices or minute track, allowing the stone to shine. It is framed by the watchmaker’s iconic Maestro case, known for its fluid, architectural lines. This edition, debuts Gerald Charles’ first-ever Colormix finish on the case, a metallic bronze brown achieved through a proprietary blend of chemical and physical treatments. This deep brown tone is echoed on the buckle and paired with a sand-toned vulcanised rubber strap, whose matte, lightly textured finish evokes the golden landscape of the UAE. Together, the dial, case and strap form a cohesive visual story, blending heritage and modernity, craftsmanship and natural beauty.
The timepiece is powered by a Swiss-manufactured mechanical movement, reflecting the watchmaker’s uncompromising approach to precision. The calibre 2.0, Ref. GCA2000, is a slim 3.7mm movement composed of 189 components and featuring hour, minute and second hands along with a date display at six o’clock. Decorated with colimaçon, Côtes de Genève and perlage finishes, it balances everyday wearability with elegance.
Please visit www.seddiqi.com/75th-anniversary or www.geraldcharles.com for more information.