Al-Futtaim Watches and Jewellery launches 88 RUE DU RHONE

Luxury brand unveiled in the UAE by Al-Futtaim Watches & Jewellery

Dubai, September 22, 2013: Adding a dimension of affordability to excellence, Al-Futtaim Watches & Jewellery today launched the luxury Swiss watch brand 88RUE DU RHONE.

88 RUE DU RHONE was unveiled by Pierre Bernheim, co-founder of the brand and grandson of popular Swiss watchmaker, Raymond Weil. The event included a ribbon cutting ceremony, unveiling of the brand's premier collection and speeches by top officials at the Watch House store in Dubai Mall. The collection, which holds over 80 different models, was sampled by dozens of invited guests.

The brand is known for its elegant array of watches balancing Swiss quality and contemporary designs with long-steeped timepiece-making traditions, craftsmanship and groundbreaking innovation. Starting at AED 1640, the brand offers world-class watches with sophisticated design at an affordable value.

Pierre Bernheim, Director, Raymond Weil Geneve and Co-Founder of 88 RUE DU RHONE said: “The UAE is an interesting market because while it is extremely receptive to luxury products, it has an eye for good value. 88 RUE DU RHONE is designed to offer the best of both these worlds and I am excited to see the reaction we get from shoppers in this country.”

Deriving its name from one of Geneva's most prestigious streets, 88 RUE DU RHONE is a brand that embodies multiple symbolic connotations. While the number 8 denotes good fortune in Asian cultures, it also represents the conventional watch hands denoting 10:10, while mathematically suggesting infinity. The address surprisingly does not point to an existing location. Instead it draws attention to a spot where the River Rhône flows out of Lake Geneva – the origins of Swiss watchmaking industry, initiated five centuries ago. Through the combined message of the various symbols, 88 RUE DU RHONE aims to transport the user to the moment ‘Where Time Begins'.

The 88 RUE DU RHONE collections can be found exclusively at Al Futtaim Watches & Jewellery stores across the UAE. In Dubai, it is available at Dubai Mall, Mall of The Emirates, and Deira City Center, in Abu Dhabi at Abu Dhabi Mall and Marina Mall and in Al Ain at Bawadi Mall.