Following the exciting Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi, Jean Alesi, long-time friend and shareholder of Montegrappa took time out of his busy schedule to embark on his own mini tour of the Middle East to launch the Montegrappa Limited Edition Jean Alesi Chronograph timepiece.
The first stop was the iconic Atlantis, The Palm Hotel and Resort, where Mr. Alesi was present to launch the new wristwatch, along with the opening of the Montegrappa Writing and Business Centre at Atlantis. With him to commemorate the opening of the Centre was Mr. Giuseppe Aquila, Elmo & Montegrappa C.E.O.
“We are very proud to be opening another location within the UAE, with the innovative Business and Writing Centre concept at Atlantis. Having Jean Alesi here to launch the Limited Edition Watch at the Centre has been fantastic and highlights the importance we place on the region and the U.A.E. in particular,” said Mr. Aquila of the launch. Also present at the ceremony to lend a hand at the ribbon cutting were Ms. Tania Moubader, Director of Retail Operations at Atlantis, The Palm and Serge Zaalof, COO of Atlantis, The Palm.
The Limited Edition watch was designed in collaboration with and thanks to input from Jean Alesi, as a tribute to him from Montegrappa. The Jean Alesi Limited Edition Water-Resistant Chronograph first indicates its presence with a black-and-red colour scheme, much favoured in motorsport. Its dial creates a vision of depth thanks to sub-dials recessed into the surface, with both applied and relief indices.
These eye-catching effects continue with two patterns gracing the dial, including a lower pattern level in shiny black with circular etching at 6 o’clock, and an upper pattern level in sandblasted matte black, the dial perforated and etched with horizontal stripes. Surrounding the dial is a bezel reminiscent of the cockpit hardware in the Ferrari cars driven by Alesi, with a tachymeter etched in white-on-black, an inner ring reading to a white triangle at the 60-second point with the primary numerals in red, followed by a third surround drilled to resemble the pattern that lightens competition disc brakes.
Produced in a series of only 300 pieces, the collector status of every Jean Alesi Limited Edition Water-Resistant Chronograph is further enhanced by its packaging. Every timepiece reaches its owner in a specially-made box in matching black-with-red-accents, and bearing Jean Alesi’s signature in silver embossing.
After a busy day of meetings with the press and dignitaries, it was an early dinner at the world-renowned Nobu Restaurant before the next morning’s flight to Doha to launch the wristwatch at the newly-opened Montegrappa boutique in Pari Gallery, Hyatt Plaza.
Over 250 dignitaries and media had been eagerly waiting for Mr. Alesi and the Montegrappa team’s arrival to greet the Formula 1 legend at Hyatt Plaza with the red carpet ready and chequered flags waving.
In a speech to the crowd, Jean Alesi, commented, “It is a great honour for me that Montegrappa have celebrated my career and me by creating this beautiful watch that serves all my functions. I am proud to be associated with this brand that makes exquisite bespoke items, writing instruments and timepieces. It has been a real pleasure to launch the Limited Edition Watch here in Doha.”
Nabil Abu Issa , Vice-Chairman of Abu Issa Holdings, gave a speech, highlighting the special collaboration and partnership between Montegrappa and Pari Gallery in Qatar.
