With just a casual scroll through Instagram, any watch and jewellery lover from the Middle East — or indeed, further afield — is bound to have come across Arab Watch Guide and KatsBling, two platforms which share the latest and greatest industry goings-on with their huge followings. The minds respectively behind them, Hassan Akhras and Katia Jundi, are more than just distinguished watch connoisseurs — they’re a key part of the regional scene and, incidentally, are perhaps the sweetest pair you could ever wish to meet. Always a pleasure to run into, whether attending events alone or socialising as a twosome, Hassan and Katia are a permanent fixture on the world’s watch circuit — and one that GMT GCC is always ecstatic to come across when our paths cross.
They are the most perfectly placed duo, then, to have created Icons on the Wrist — a landmark Arabic-language coffee table book chronicling the region’s colourful and avid watch-collecting community. Gathering 36 of the Middle East’s foremost horological figures together for the first time — and in their native tongue, too — the book wends its way through these fascinating personalities and their collections, as well as uncovering more about watchmaking’s most influential masterpieces, all while paying tribute to the legacy of luxury and craftsmanship that forms part of the region’s heritage and artistic expression. Here, GMT GCC delves deeper into the story behind the book, and why now is the time for these two digital mavens to finally commit their wisdom to paper.
GMT GCC: Huge congratulations on this amazing book! Where did your idea for this publication begin?
Hassan: We always read and receive books from many brands and publishers about the watch industry, but never in Arabic and never about our local community and collectors — we found a gap and we wanted to publish a book from a different angle and perspective.
When you began the process, what did you decide that you wanted this book to achieve?
Katia: Firstly, we wanted it to be the first Arabic book published about watches and icons in our industry. And second, we wanted to give the local Arab community their voice and an opportunity to share their stories with the world.
You obviously have a great friendship — how did you get to know one another?
Hassan: We met over a decade ago through attending similar watch fairs and events; we collaborated a few times before on some shoots and stayed connected since.
Why did you choose to collaborate on this project? What strengths do you both bring to it?
Katia: We have both been in this industry for over a decade with different experiences, whether fully on social or a mix of print and social, and each one of us has created our own communities that are interested in watches and jewellery collecting. We’ve worked closely together for the past two years on many projects. It made sense to leverage both our experiences for such a challenging project as we wanted to perfect it in all its aspects and complement each other, whether from the brand contacts we have, or the community of collectors we have built.
Were there any challenges when it came to working together?
Hassan: It was actually very smooth! We both knew what needed to be done and in what time frame and we organised ourselves accordingly — we stepped in to help with each other‘s tasks whenever there was a need or a gap to fill.
What — for you — is the most exciting part of the book?
Katia: Interviewing all 36 collectors was extremely rewarding. First, from connecting with them, seeing them opening up to us and sharing their private anecdotes, and second, from becoming closer to each and every one of them on a personal level, cementing that sense of community.
You both have strong online presences — why did you feel the need to publish a physical book, away from the virtual world?
Hassan: After all these years working on social, we felt we wanted a physical coffee table book that is more tangible for collectors to have in their homes, to share with their families and friends and to be a reference they can always come back to. It’s a way of stopping time and turning the fast social media pace into a lasting moment.
Now that the book is out, how has the reception been? And how do you feel when you look at it?
Katia: The reception has been overwhelming! We didn‘t expect that enthusiasm and encouragement from everyone around us — we have been receiving non-stop requests for the book from around the world on our socials. Many collectors were asking for more copies to give them as gifts, the brands we collaborated with were extremely satisfied with the results, they even have the book in their boutiques. We are extremely proud of this book, from cover to cover, and thrilled to see our community appreciate it that much.
