The Perrelet X Diaa Allam is a distinctive timepiece merging the heritage expertise of Perrelet’s watchmaking with the avant-garde artistry of Emirati calligrapher Diaa Allam. Unveiled during Dubai Watch Week 2025, this limited edition from Perrelet’s Turbine collection celebrates both the founder’s pioneering spirit and the contemporary cultural expression of Arabic calligraphy, resulting in a mechanical watch that is as much a canvas as a chronometer.
The dial of the Perrelet X Diaa Allam commands attention through its complex layering and artistic integration. At its foundation lies an exclusive painting by Diaa Allam, inspired by traditional wickerwork and realised in vibrant multicoloured segments that appear to interweave beneath the signature turbine blades. The turbine itself, formed of twelve black anodised aluminium blades weighted beneath by tungsten counterweights, creates a dynamic three-dimensional visual effect as it spins, revealing the intricate calligraphy with mesmerising depth.
This movement and interplay of elements provide a modern interpretation of Arabic script, accented by white Super-LumiNova on the alternating raised indices and Arabic numerals set on a matt black chapter ring. The dial’s readability is enhanced by white lumed central hour and minute hands, accompanied by a red seconds hand that adds a subtle but effective dash of colour against the overall blackened palette.
Beneath the dial lies the in-house calibre P-331-MH, an automatic winding movement proudly manufactured by Soprod, part of Perrelet’s integrated watchmaking group. The calibre runs at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and offers a power reserve of 42 hours. It has earned both COSC chronometer certification and the Chronofiable certification from the Dubois Laboratory, underscoring its precision and reliability. The movement’s finishing is immaculately executed: the main plate is decorated with Côtes de Genève stripes, while the bridges benefit from circular graining and rhodium plating, granting a refined sheen. The openworked oscillating weight is mounted on ball bearings and adorned with the Perrelet logo, rhodium plated and brushed to elevate its mechanical beauty visible through the sapphire case back. This movement not only powers the watch’s hands but animates the signature turbine rotor on the dial side, which, although decorative rather than functional for winding, exemplifies Perrelet’s historic dedication to kinetic dial artistry.
The case, crafted from grade 2 titanium, measures 41 mm in diameter and has a thickness of 13.90 mm. Titanium’s lightweight and hypoallergenic properties, coupled with a robust black DLC coating, ensure optimal wear comfort alongside exceptional resistance to corrosion and external wear. The case features a flat polished bezel and a fluted band for a tactile, architectural character aligned with the modern design ethos of the timepiece. The crown, ridged for better grip and subtly enlarged for presence, is finished with the Perrelet logo. Sapphire crystals with double anti-reflective treatment protect both dial and movement sides, enhancing clarity and reducing glare. Water resistance is rated to 10 ATM (100 metres), making the watch suitable for a variety of daily activities beyond desk duty. The case is completed with characteristic triple lugs that hold a black rubber strap fastening with a DLC-coated titanium pin buckle, emblazoned with the Perrelet emblem.
The Perrelet X Diaa Allam, Ref. A4067/S8 – €5,180.00, is a compelling blend of horological tradition and contemporary artistic expression. It not only honours the legacy of Abraham-Louis Perrelet’s original winding innovations but pushes the boundaries of dial design through the integration of calligraphic art and kinetic sculpture. With its technically assured movement, sophisticated finishing, and a case designed for durability and comfort, this watch offers both mechanical excellence and a visual spectacle. Limited to just 50 pieces worldwide, it stands as a rare collector’s piece destined to appeal to aficionados enamoured with both high watchmaking and cultural artistry, encapsulating a bold yet refined statement on the wrist. This detailed synthesis reflects the balance of craft, culture, and cutting-edge technology that Perrelet has brought forth in collaboration with Diaa Allam, perfectly capturing the pulse of time as something to be seen, felt, and worn with distinction.
