The vast Saudi Arabian desert, with its endless golden dunes and distinctive architectural heritage, possesses a quiet strength that transcends mere geography. When Furlan Marri and CLE: The Gallery set out to collaborate on a limited edition chronograph, they understood that capturing this essence required more than surface-level aesthetics. The result is the Sahra Edition, a singular timepiece limited to just 750 pieces.
CLÉ: The Gallery was founded in London in 2013 by Saudi entrepreneur Yasmine Al Shathry—photo below—and has evolved from a luxury concierge service for discerning collectors to a physical space redefining modern luxury in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For Furlan Marri—co-founded by Swiss designer Andrea Furlan and Saudi entrepreneur Hamad Al Marri—this collaboration represents their "second land of origins," making the partnership a natural fit.
Things to Know About the Watch
The Furlan Marri Sahra Edition features a 316L stainless steel case measuring 38 mm in diameter, with a lug-to-lug span of 46 mm and a thickness of 11.5 mm. The finishing includes perlage, mirror polish, satin brushing, engraving, and deep embossing—uncommonly comprehensive for this price point. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal features five anti-reflective layers and a fingerprint-resistant coating, with a water resistance rating of 50 meters.
The dial commands immediate attention with golden-brown tones evoking dunes under midday sun, while deeper shades recall the distinctive hues of traditional Najdi architecture. At the dial's center, lacquered sand dunes create genuine depth through multi-textured finishing.
Hindi-Arabic numerals honor the region's intellectual heritage, while applied half-spherical indexes and a domed outer ring echo the harmonious forms of Islamic architecture. The finishing touch on the dial includes a pulsometer scale calibrated for 15 pulsations and a 60-minute counter.
François Borgel-inspired case construction features engraved Tasti Tondi pushers—refinements from 1940s-1950s chronographs—while curved, domed hands maintain excellent legibility. Two straps accompany the watch: a dark brown textured leather with cream stitching, and a cream textured leather with matching stitching, both featuring quick-release systems and signed buckles with proper finishing details.
The Movement
The case back bears coordinates marking a specific location chosen for its striking beauty, with the dial directly reflecting this landscape's dunes and tones as seen from above. Powering this watch is the Seiko VK64 mechaquartz movement, which combines quartz reliability with mechanical chronograph performance, delivering ±20 seconds monthly accuracy while providing instantaneous hand reset and tactile pusher engagement. Furlan Marri's embrace of mechaquartz isn't cost-cutting but a deliberate philosophy, allowing a focus on case construction and finishing details.
On the Wrist & Price
The 750-piece limitation ensures collectibility without extreme scarcity. Launched exclusively at CLE: The Gallery in Riyadh on November 25th, before becoming available on Furlan Marri's website on December 3rd, this edition will never be reproduced. For collectors who appreciate watches that tell genuine stories—where design decisions reflect cultural heritage rather than trend-chasing—the Sahra Edition represents a thoughtful, limited-edition collaboration that enriches contemporary collecting.
Sticker Price CHF 685—approx USD 850. More info on Furlan Marri here and for CLÉ: The Gallery here.
