Bil Arabi and Arab Watch Guide unveil Zaman

A sterling silver cuff inspired by timepiece components.

Bil Arabi, a Dubai based modern jewelry brand, was founded in 2006 by Nadine Kanso, a renowned jewelry designer and calligrapher. Upon launching Bil Arabi, she established “herself as Dubai’s electrifying pioneer in jewelry making with disruptive designs instigating a never seen before trend. She has become known for her identifiable loud philosophical creations. Her attention to artistic dialects and history encourages Nadine to better express her creations ambitions.”

Bil Arabi has cemented itself as a contemporary and dynamic jewelry brand, well known for “crafting expressive jewelry that fuses introspective message and deep meanings into striking designs. Rooted in calligraphy, each piece showcases exceptional craftsmanship and individualism, reimaging calligraphic shapes with ingenuity.”

Arab Watch Guide, founded by Hassan Akhras, is among the leading horological personalities in the Middle East, and well regarded worldwide. A timepiece expert, his contribution to horology is second to none. His superbly curated Instagram page has more than 150K followers, including outside the Middle East, like me. Timepieces, like jewelry, are a universal language, and Hassan conveys them superbly.

Zaman is a collaboration between Bil Arabi and Arab Watch Guide, both well-known names in the Middle East region, and the latest addition to Bil Arabi’s men’s jewelry collection.

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It is inspired “by the very essence” of a timepiece. Its design feature gears and pinions as found in a timepiece calibre, and angular bezel elements as found in a timepiece case. Engraved within the cuff is an Arabic quote by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which translates to “time is the most valuable asset that a person possesses.” Crafted in sterling silver, the Zaman cuff is well-executed and will surely appeal to timepiece collectors.

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Zaman was unveiled on 23 May 2024 during “The World of Bil Arabi by Nadine Kanso” exhibition at the Mercedes-Benz Center in Dubai Design District. The exhibition will run for a month, until June 23, 2024.

Curated by Nadine Kanso, this exhibition “celebrates the fusion of Arabic calligraphy and contemporary design,” and will include a broad range of collections, that blend tradition with contemporary style, featuring a mix of gold, silver, and enamel jewelry. Perfect for the modern man who appreciates traditional calligraphy. In addition to Zaman, the exhibition will highlight Bil Arabi’s prestigious SILVER and HOBBI collections.