Press Releases
Mouawad Presents The Mouawad Offshore Powerboat Racing Team
Dubai, January 19th, 2012: Mouawad, the 121 year old jewellery and watch maker, today announced a one year sponsorship deal with four-time offshore powerboat world champion, Mr. Omar Danial. The announcement was made by the company’s Co-Guardians, Mr. Fred Mouawad and Mr. Pascal Mouawad, during an official press conference that took place this morning at the Dubai International Marine Club in Dubai.
The press conference was also an opportunity to give a preview of the new Mouawad watch line – the Grand Ellipse – a collection of luxury timepieces born from the long expertise that the Mouawad family has in the art of watch-making.
The Mouawad Offshore Powerboat is competing in the 2012 XCAT Middle East Powerboat Series that kicked off last weekend with the Dubai Grand Prix, and the Mouawad team successfully started the new season off the shores of the Dubai International Marine Club, with a third place podium position.
Mouawad racing team is comprised of Omar Danial, a champion offshore powerboat racer who has won four world titles, and champion Gary Ballough, who so far can list among his titles 11 world championships and 104 first places.
“We are thrilled with this new sponsorship and to be partnering with Mr Danial or Omar, whom we had the opportunity to meet a long time back in Switzerland”, commented Fred and Pascal Mouawad. “At Mouawad – along with stunning jewellery creations – we design and produce luxury timepiece collections, and here today we have the pleasure to show you some pieces of the new Mouawad watch line that will soon be available in our boutiques worldwide. As watchmakers we perfectly understand the importance of precision, accuracy and timing as does Danial when racing a speedboat. A powerboat is like a watch; even one second can really make a difference. We look forward to a successful year together and we hope that this is just the start of a long time relationship”.
“I’d like to thank Fred and Pascal for believing in the ability of the team and for deciding to support it for the whole year”, said Mr. Omar Danial. “I am delighted with what we achieved last weekend and I hope we’ll achieve other great results in the forthcoming races. The Mouawad Grande Ellipse watch that I’ve been wearing has been really helpful to keep time under control, both during the trials and the race. The Mouawad design on the boat also looks spectacular; it is another demonstration of the excellence and taste of the Mouawad brand!”
The 2012 calendar of the XCAT Middle East Powerboat Series consists of six heats organized in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Khor Fakkar and Fujairah. Over the upcoming weekend, Abu Dhabi will host the second heat of the race and the teams will be back in Dubai on 2nd and 3rd February for the third stage.
Mouawad’s sponsorship of the offshore powerboat is another important milestone in its history. The company that has its roots in Lebanon where it was founded in 1890 is currently expanding its presence in the Gulf region. Mouawad flagship stores in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Oman will soon be accompanied by five new Mouawad boutiques opening in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait City, Jeddah and Riyadh in the first quarter of 2012.
As well as increasing its store numbers, Mouawad is planning to introduce six new boutique collections throughout the year; the first new one - Le Coeur – has been launched this week.
For more information about Mouawad, its collections and boutique locations, visit the Mouawad website www.mouawad.com
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About Omar Danial
Omar Danial is a four-time offshore powerboat world champion. He recently extended his passion to another class of boats, the historic paddle steamers navigating on Lake Geneva. A Swiss citizen, born in Geneva, he was brought up in Texas and California before returning to Switzerland to complete his education. Mr. Danial holds an M.B.A. from the Webster University in Geneva. He also holds a B.Sc. in business, marketing and sociology from the same university.
About Mouawad
Serving royalty and modern-day celebrities with magnificent jewels since 1890
A family business built upon trust and relationships spanning generations, now led by 4th generation co-guardians, Fred & Pascal Mouawad and backed by more than a century of excellence in its field. Mouawad designs, manufactures and sells its own exclusive jewelry and timepiece collections ranging from boutique items to objets d’art and magnificent haute joaillerie pieces.
