Fine watchmaking expo returns to Saudi Arabia

Salon des Grandes Complications creates opportunities for knowledge to be exchanged and collectors to discover limited editions and the newest launches.
Updated 19 March 2019
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Fine watchmaking expo returns to Saudi Arabia

Annual horology exhibition Salon des Grandes Complications (SDGC) is returning to Saudi Arabia for the third year in a row, with shows in both Jeddah and Riyadh. The event will showcase the latest masterpieces from some of the most celebrated watchmakers in history. The fine watchmaking exhibition will kick off in Jeddah at the Hilton Hotel April 8-11, and then move to Al-Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh April 15-18.

Salon des Grandes Complications debuted in Dubai in 2014, later branching out to Saudi Arabia due to high demand and the appreciation of exceptional timepieces in the Kingdom. 

Saudi Arabia is a key Middle Eastern market for watchmakers — last year saw a year-on-year increase in the import of Swiss watches by 6 percent, and this figure is only expected to increase with the introduction of new policies. 

The capital city of Riyadh is home to over 10,000 watch collectors while Jeddah on the other hand, is Saudi Arabia’s commercial hub, with almost as many horological aficionados estimated to live there. 

Designed to offer a platform for Maisons and enthusiasts to convene, Salon des Grandes Complications creates opportunities for knowledge to be exchanged and collectors to discover — often for the first time in the region — limited editions, the newest launches and unique rarities. 

Among the international brands that will be present at the 2019 edition are Bell & Ross, Blancpain, Breguet, Breitling, Fabergé, Girard-Perregaux, Greubel Forsey, Harry Winston, Montblanc, Rudis Sylva, TAG Heuer, Ulysse Nardin and Zenith. 

With the introduction of several new brands, there will be a more diversified display of timepieces, from innovative novelties to classic creations, grand complications and high jewelry timepieces. Also new to this year’s edition will be a private majlis (a gathering place for social events), where special talks will be hosted by various brands and experts will share their personal insights into modern day horology. 

SDGC has successfully attracted over 80 international Swiss, German and Italian brands during the past five years.

The event will be held alongside the 10th annual Jewellery Salon 2019, a well-established jewelry exhibition in the Kingdom.

SDGC 2019 will be held in partnership with Bentley Motors and with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Saudi Arabia.

The event will be open free of charge to all professional visitors from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.


Dhahran Mall celebrates community through Sharqiyah International Race, launches Al-Tajdeed initiative

Updated 20 December 2025
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Dhahran Mall celebrates community through Sharqiyah International Race, launches Al-Tajdeed initiative

For nearly two decades, Dhahran Mall has served as a gathering place where families create memories, communities come together, and generations celebrate life’s milestones in the Eastern Province. This commitment to community was reaffirmed this past weekend as Dhahran Mall served as the golden sponsor of the 27th Sharqiyah International Race, continuing the community engagement that has always defined the mall’s identity.

Held along Alkhobar Corniche on Dec. 13, under the patronage of Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Nayef, the race brought together approximately 10,000 participants from across the Kingdom and beyond. In the days leading up to the event, Dhahran Mall hosted the official race kit distribution, welcoming an average of 2,000 runners daily over three days.

Demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity, Dhahran Mall partnered with Swaed Association for Physical Disability in the Eastern Province for a meaningful activation on Dec. 11. The event invited community members to experience wheelchair mobility firsthand, developing empathy and understanding. Persons with disabilities participated in a symbolic race from Gate 1 to Gate 3, joined by one of Saudi Arabia’s handball champions, reinforcing the message that sports and wellness unite everyone. Participants shared powerful reflections on accessibility and the importance of physical activity for all community members.

These initiatives embody what Dhahran Mall has always stood for: creating moments that resonate beyond the transaction, developing connections that endure, and serving as a cornerstone where every member of the community is welcomed and celebrated. Through programs that champion inclusivity, health, and social well-being, Dhahran Mall continues to demonstrate that meaningful engagement and authentic relationships are at the heart of everything it does.

Al-Tajdeed: Elevating guests’ experiences

This spirit of renewal and recommitment extends to Al-Tajdeed, Dhahran Mall’s comprehensive refresh initiative that began in December and will continue throughout 2026. Al-Tajdeed, meaning “renewal” in Arabic, honors the mall’s legacy while preparing for its future. This initiative will enhance guest experiences, elevate the aesthetic environment, and reinforce Dhahran Mall’s role as the Eastern Province’s premier destination for meaningful retail and lifestyle experiences. Looking ahead, the planned Dhahran Boulevard expansion will further enrich the mixed-use environment, creating new dimensions of hospitality, community, and connection.

“At Dhahran Mall, we believe that true success is measured in the memories we help create and the communities we serve,” said Majed Algothmi, acting CEO. “Our sponsorship of the Sharqiyah International Race and our partnership with Swaed Association reflect our unwavering commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. For nearly 20 years, families from all walks of life have trusted us with their celebrations, their everyday moments, and their special occasions. Al-Tajdeed is our promise to honor that trust by renewing our spaces while staying true to the values that have made Dhahran Mall a beloved institution in the Eastern Province.”

Since opening its doors in 2005, Dhahran Mall has been woven into the fabric of the Eastern Province. It has witnessed first steps in its corridors, celebrated countless Eid celebrations, hosted family traditions, and served as a backdrop for the everyday moments that define a community. Al-Tajdeed honors this rich legacy, built on genuine relationships and meaningful connections that span generations.

Dhahran Mall’s enduring strength lies in authentic connection. It’s the warmth of familiar spaces, the trust built over the years, and the understanding that a mall’s true value lives in how deeply it integrates into the lives of the people it serves. As the Eastern Province continues to grow and transform, Dhahran Mall remains committed to being the destination where community comes first, where memories are made, and where every visit feels like coming home.