Seddiqi Holding

About the Founder

Ahmed Qassim Seddiqi was born in 1915 in Dubai.^[8] An only child, Ahmed had an affinity for collecting objects.^[9] Early in his professional life, while working at a local trading company, Ahmed became fascinated with watches and began sourcing them from Bahrain, Kuwait, and India. Each month, he and his son Ibrahim would depart on a wooden abra (boat) to retrieve their latest shipment. Ahmed would study the new stock and display it in a wooden cabinet, which stood in Bur Dubai’s souk and served as a storefront.^[10]

In the 1940s, Ahmed worked for a company in Dubai that imported construction materials and watches from Kuwait and Bahrain. Behbehani, which had held the West End agency since 1935, was the source of these imports. A relative of Seddiqi’s worked at Behbehani, and Ahmed Seddiqi oversaw the procurement and importation process during that time. While he was formally responsible for sourcing construction materials as the manager, he received permission to also bring in watches and radios.^[11] Once his official duties ended, he would ride his bicycle through the streets of Dubai, knocking from door to door, urging people to purchase the radios and luxury Swiss watches that he carried in a box.^[12]

Founding Story

In 1950, Ahmed Seddiqi opened his first Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons boutique in Bur Dubai and secured his first official agency agreement with West End Watches, gaining direct access to Swiss watch models. In 1952, when he sought to obtain a Rolex franchise, he submitted a handwritten recommendation from Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum—an endorsement that helped solidify what would become a long-standing partnership with one of the world’s most prestigious watch brands.^[13]

As the business gained momentum, Ibrahim Seddiqi, Ahmed’s eldest son, began assisting with procurement, making sourcing trips to Bahrain.^[14] Ibrahim was also the first member of the family to travel to Switzerland and establish direct relationships with the leaders of major international watch brands; his efforts were instrumental in securing the original franchise agreement with Rolex in 1952.^[15]

Growth Phase

In the years that followed, Ahmed Seddiqi’s other sons, Abdulmagied and Abdul Hamied, joined the business. Both studied in Switzerland, where they learned French to engage directly with Swiss brands such as Patek Philippe and Chopard. Abdul Hamied went on to gain practical experience working in watch companies in Switzerland.^[16]

Although the Seddiqi family had operated under a multi-brand retail model since the 1950s, the 1970s saw a strategic shift with the introduction of single-brand boutiques, beginning with Chopard. By then, the company had already brought major Swiss brands like Patek Philippe to the region.^[17] In 1964, the Seddiqis launched Swiss Watch Services, providing brand-certified watch and jewelry restoration.^[18] In 1967, a second store was opened in Bur Dubai, followed by the company’s third boutique in Murshid Market in 1970. In 1969, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons hosted its first major watch exhibition at Dubai International Airport, which was attended by Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.^[19]

In the decades that followed, the company continued to innovate. In 2006, it began curating exclusive collections under the “Dubai Edition” and “UAE Edition” labels.^[20] The business consolidated all of its ventures the following year under the umbrella of Seddiqi Holding, reflecting its expansion into multiple sectors.^[21]

In 2015, the family launched Dubai Watch Week, described by company leaders as more of a cultural event than a trade fair,^[22] designed to foster public education, industry dialogue, and global networking.^[23] With a focus on knowledge-sharing, the annual event supports the broader ecosystem of premium watchmaking while underscoring the company’s commitment to building an enduring legacy.^[24]

Like many global businesses, Seddiqi Holding faced serious challenges during the 2008 financial crisis and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which brought particular pressure to the retail and luxury sectors.^[25] The leadership’s approach, shaped by intergenerational experience, prioritized stability and long-term planning over reactive decision-making.^[26]

As the group gradually diversified, it added new pillars to its portfolio. In 2016, Seddiqi Properties was established as a real estate management venture overseeing a range of residential and commercial projects. The following year, the company launched Mizzen, a subsidiary focused on luxury consumer sectors including fashion, beauty, eyewear, leather goods, and accessories. In 2023, the company unveiled EDIT by Ahmed Seddiqi, a curated retail concept offering lifestyle watches and accessories tailored to the tastes of contemporary luxury consumers.^[27]

Today

Seddiqi Holding currently operates over 90 locations across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Fujairah. The group employs more than 1,100 people and is active in luxury retail, real estate, and watch after-sales services, while also operating in the fashion, beauty, accessories, food, and beverage industries through its Mizzen division.^[28]

The business remains owned by the Seddiqi family, with the second generation continuing to hold key leadership roles: Abdul Hamied Seddiqi serves as chairman, while Abdulmagied Seddiqi is co-owner.^[29] Much of the operational management lies with the third generation. Osama Ibrahim Seddiqi, who joined in 2004, serves as vice chairman, group managing director, and chief financial officer.^[30] Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi is the chief commercial officer. As chief executive officer, Hind Abdul Hamied Seddiqi leads the company’s marketing and communications division and oversees Dubai Watch Week. Other members of the third generation, including Hassan Abdulmagied, Mahra Abdulmagied, Qasim Ibrahim, and Mohammad Abdul Hamied, occupy senior executive roles across various subsidiaries and departments.^[31] There is also growing involvement from the fourth generation.^[32]