Zeitwerks & Shawarma w/ Dubai Watch Club’s Adel Al Rahmani
In the second of three catch-ups we’re conducting with watch collectors’ clubs all around the globe, unekual chats with Adel Al Rahmani (of Dubai Watch Club) about the group he founded in 2014 and where you’ll find his city’s best sandwiches.
In the past you’ve credited both of your parents with igniting your passion for watches - did they pass anything down which remains firmly in your collection today?
My parents definitely played a role in my passion during the early years. They weren’t ‘collectors’ (in the strict sense of that word) but they definitely liked watches.
The only watch my father ever wore was his 1970s Day-Date. A few years ago, he gifted it to me, but in return, asked for a piece that I treasured. I opened my watchbox and said “take your pick”. Funnily, he didn’t like any of the watches he saw and instead asked to see what I was wearing - a modern Rolex Submariner, which he absolutely loved.
Those who know me personally are aware that a modern steel Sub is among my absolute favourite mechanical watches. Honestly: it would have ended up being less painful if my Dad had picked one of the more complicated watches in my collection instead. Still, it worked out to be an even trade: I gained something that he genuinely loved and cherished, and vice-versa.
As for my mother, she was a big Rolex fan with an affinity for Day-Dates as well. Being that I like Submariners so much, I guess I’m the odd one out [laughs]. Of the 3 she owned, two were passed down to my wife: a gesture I hope to replicate for the next generation (with a few additions of my own).
You famously used many years worth of savings to buy your first watch - an A. Lange & Sӧhne Zeitwerk. An unusual (and impressive) choice for a ‘first watch’. Initially, what attracted you to that model?
This is going to sound silly, but I’d never planned on using the money I’d saved up to buy anything - at the time I was just saving up for the sake of saving. Since grade school, I’d noticed I was able to make money selling homework, project research and so forth. This continued throughout college, but all along, I hadn’t really thought about what I wanted to do with the money I’d made.
Anyways, one day I was talking about watches with a college buddy of mine and he showed me the ALS website. We were geeking out over ‘non-mainstream’ watches - just stuff that looked cool.
As we scrolled through the website, the Zeitwerk caught my eye. Imagine my disappointment to find such a high-end watchmaker (noted for its beautiful movement finishing) resorting to making digital watches in gold. It felt a bit sad.
Being curious, I decided to go through the specs in more detail and that’s when I realised the watch was completely mechanical. Springs and gears powering a digital display? It can’t be! I took another look at the caseback and that, as they say, was that. I was hooked.
My friend told me that Seddiqi & Sons was a possible retailer for ALS in Dubai, and sure enough, I called them up that very day and confirmed they had the Zeitwerk available. So long story short: I broke the piggy bank open and pulled the trigger.
It was interesting because that watch was essentially an impulse purchase - made possible as the result of years and years of saving up. Would I do it again? Just look at that caseback and tell me that isn’t one of the most interesting, impressive watches of the late 2000s.
As somebody who is a big proponent of “the level of craft” present in a wristwatch, are there any traditional finishes or mechanical complications you never get tired of collecting?
I could give a very long-winded answer about how a watchmaker imprints their soul into the watch they work on; each component finished with care and love, as they stare into fields of grass full of plump cows [laughs].
Equally, I could talk about how each complication is special; and how certain decorative techniques appear particularly beautiful on certain complications.
Instead, all I’ll say is that I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of collecting everything. There’s so much being done in the watch industry right now (in so many different ways) that I think it’d be virtually impossible for me to get bored.
Beyond the obvious social aspect, what are some of the value-adds of membership in the Dubai Watch Club?
Man, I always hate answering this question [laughs]. Fundamentally, we’re not trying to ‘sell’ anything.
I could tell you that you might meet an influential collector; subsequently hit it off, and that you won’t have to wait several decades to purchase your Daytona - but that’s not a given. On occasion though, it does happen.
I could tell you that becoming a member grants you access to all of our limited edition collaborations - but whether you end up liking them is a personal journey.
We do organise manufacture visits every now and then as well; but then again, not everybody has the luxury to take time off work and take advantage of this benefit. I could go on.
What I’m trying to say is that members shouldn’t have any expectations when they join our group. We can promise you only one thing: that if you like watches, and wish to join a community of like-minded individuals, we’ll be there to support you and nurture your passion; and help you gain further knowledge. Everything else is a bonus.
Are there any events, in recent memory, that the Dubai Watch Club has held for its members that you’re especially proud of?
Oh, don’t make me choose! To me, an evening well spent is one amongst friends talking about watches; in friendly debate about their technical features.
Sure, some events take place in a nice hotel or at a seated dinner at a great restaurant; but at the end of the day, it’s really all about sharing knowledge and interesting opinions on watches in a social format.
Personally, I’m location/brand agnostic. I’m sure certain of our members are more biased; but when it comes to picking favourites, I’m as neutral as Switzerland. Apologies about the corny joke - just can’t pass up the opportunity to pick low-hanging fruit.
Moving away from watches - beyond the glitz of downtown Dubai and Jumeirah, where would a true Emirati local go for a casual bite? Any favourites you’d like to share?
I don’t claim to be an expert on food by any stretch of the imagination. Even so, there are quite a few hidden gems throughout Dubai - I’m certainly happen to share some of my personal favourites.
Authentic Emirati food is actually surprisingly hard to come by in Dubai, as most restaurants here are influenced either by Iranian or Indian culture. I’d say: to get a true taste of Emirati cuisine, there’s no substitute for being invited into somebody’s home and trying the dishes their moms cook for you. It’s really the only way to experience cooking that is truly representative of our culture; and certainly isn’t something you’ll find at a restaurant.
What you can get are sandwiches at a cafeteria. This is a format that’s extremely common in the UAE: serving everything from shawarma to chicken biryani, to burgers, and everything in between.
Every cafeteria has a specialty. For example: I’d go to Antar (Al-Wasl) for their signature ‘Zinger’ wrap. For a Mex-style shawarma I’d go to Sports Star (Mamzar). The Iranian shawarmas are unbeatable at Al Maroof (Al Wuheida). Meanwhile, the kebabs at Khudmooni (Mamzar) and Al Fareej (Al Twar) are a must-try.
For Indo-Pakistani food I’d recommend the Karachi Darbar branches at the airport and Metro Falcon. And of course, you gotta give an honourable mention to Bu Qtair in Umm Suqeim - among the best fried seafood joints in Dubai.