Time in the luxury watches industry is beyond measurement; it is an heirloom. No one knew this more than Abdulmagied Seddiqi, the man who has made the name of his company known as the heartbeat of the Dubai high-end retail market.

Looking back at his journey, we see that Abdulmagied was not only selling watches but also designing the entire culture of horology in the Middle East. This is an overview of the legacy of a man who assisted in transforming a small souk shop into an empire around the world.

Through the Souk to the Stratosphere

The narration starts in 1950 when the Burj Khalifa was as high as the clouds. His father, Abdulmagied, was Ahmed Qassim Seddiqi, who began as a small watch-trading company in the Bur Dubai souk. Luxury retail back then implied a personal acquaintance and a good handshake.

When Abdulmagied assumed the reins, he not only sustained the status quo, but he sped it up. Together with his brothers, he steered Dubai through the transformation of a regional trading hub to a luxury destination in the world. During his time as the CEO of Ahmed Seddiqi and Sons, the company expanded from one shop to a juggernaut, claiming more than 100 high-end brands, which include the Holy Trinity of watchmaking: Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin.

The “Rolex” Rite of Passage

The Seddiqi family has a legendary tradition: a first Rolex at the age of 18. This was not a rule of jewelry; it was a lesson of patient waiting, and success will come.

This philosophy was brought into the boardroom by Abdulmagied. He considered brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe not only suppliers, but a lifelong marriage. Because of the trust he built:

 * Rolex has constructed the biggest boutique in the world, located in Dubai.

 * Patek Philippe already opened its doors in the UAE in 1960, which is a confirmation of the early foresight of the family.

More Than a Businessman: A Mentor

As the world was enjoying the glittering boutiques, his workers looked at the desk behind which a man sat. Abdulmagied was associated with the open-door attitude. He was the type of leader who used to make visits to the stores to see how they were doing, not only on the number of sales but of those doing the actual selling.

Abdulmagied brought warmth and humility to an industry that is perceived to be cold or exclusive. He has been called a father figure to his employees, and it goes to show that you do not have to be a father to the employees to be at the top of the luxury world.

A Legacy That Keeps Ticking

In 2007, the family consolidated all their interests in Seddiqi Holding, an action that guaranteed the business of the family would continue to be strong even into future generations. The third and fourth generations of the family nowadays, his son Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi and niece Hind Seddiqi, are still pushing the envelope.

The seeds planted by Abdulmagied are still blossoming with events like the world-known Dubai Watch Week (which has become the favorite industry event of its kind) to their own brand, Vyntage Horology.

Why It Matters

The legacy that Abdulmagied Seddiqi left is what makes one remember that integrity and relationships are the only things that survive in the hectic world of fashion and tech. He not only created a chain of retail shops, but he also created a bridge between Swiss artisanship and Arabian hospitality.

Next time you are walking by a shiny watch stand in Dubai, pause and have a peep at that door label. It is not just a brand, but it is the life’s work of an innovative person who realized that every second matters.