Muscat – Mistal, a leading luxury watch retailer in Oman, celebrated 50 years of partnership with Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen at its showroom in Bariq al Shatti on Sunday.

The event was attended by Hannes Pantli, a senior representative from IWC, who described the long-standing collaboration as a testament to Oman’s appreciation for fine timepieces.

To mark the occasion, IWC unveiled a special edition Ingenieur Aqua Green timepiece, limited to just 50 units. Demand was overwhelming, with 48 pieces selling out within two days, underscoring the strong market for luxury watches in the country.

Pantli praised the partnership, saying, “We are delighted to celebrate this long-standing relationship. The country of Oman adds to the beauty of our watches, and I have witnessed the evolution of the watch community here. Luxury timepieces are now more accessible and widely appreciated.”

Commenting on the growing popularity of digital watches, Pantli remained confident in the enduring appeal of mechanical timepieces. “Digital watches may be trendy and affordable, but over time, men tend to gravitate towards mechanical watches. They offer a sense of style, heritage, and financial value. A fine timepiece is often the only piece of jewellery a man wears, and it signifies both maturity and elegance.”

He also highlighted a tradition in Europe where newlyweds gift luxury watches as timeless symbols of their union, reinforcing the emotional and cultural significance of fine watchmaking.