When a sheikh or a royal family member wants a Rolex, you might imagine they’d get bumped to the top of the 4,000- strong waiting list in the United Arab Emirates. Right?
Not always, says Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, chief commercial officer of Seddiqi Holding, owner of a retailer of Swiss watches in the UAE. If a royal wants a watch for personal use, they’ll get it. But if they’re looking for watches to give as gifts — to dignitaries, perhaps royalty from other countries — the company may be more selective, Seddiqi says.