In the dynamic landscape of independent watchmaking, new contenders face the monumental task of capturing the attention of seasoned collectors. It is a field dominated by decades, and sometimes centuries, of established heritage. Yet, quietly and with deliberate precision, Beda’a has been cultivating a distinct identity since 2016. Initially a component of the Qatari luxury group Albidaa, the brand's trajectory shifted in response to undeniable demand. Today, Beda’a stands on its own as a fully-fledged watchmaking house, driven by a clear creative vision and demonstrating a capacity for proprietary design that demands a closer look.
The ascent of Beda’a is not just a story of market positioning; it is a narrative about a strategic shift in the horological world. The brand was established from the vision of Hader Al Suwaidi, a Qatari entrepreneur whose ambition was not merely to create another brand for the prosperous Arab market. Instead, the goal was far more significant: to position the region as a genuine contributor to the global watchmaking industry, a source of design and innovation rather than just a point of sale. This ambitious goal required a unique combination of technical skill, design-conscious artistry, and a deep understanding of both European watchmaking traditions and modern Arab culture.
Courtesy of Beda'a
This blend of qualities was found in Sohaib Maghnam, the engineer-designer who was recruited to shape the brand's destiny. Maghnam's journey into horology was anything but conventional. Now serving as the brand's CEO and Chief Designer, his cosmopolitan background sees him moving fluidly between the watch capitals of Switzerland, London, Milan, and Doha. This worldly perspective is built on a solid technical foundation.
Sohaib, fluent in both Arabic and English, first traveled to the United Kingdom to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. It was during this time in London, still in his early twenties, that he first became acquainted with the significant names in watchmaking, and a foundational passion began to take shape. Following his time in the UK, he moved to Milan, Italy, for a two-year Master’s program. This move would prove to be the critical catalyst for his career.
Immersed in the rich, palpable design culture of Milan, Maghnam experienced what he describes as his horological epiphany. The city was home to a thriving and deeply engaged watch community. He credits this period, and specifically individuals like Jacopo Corvo of the renowned retailer GMT, with launching his career. Corvo recognized his potential, circulating Sohaib's early sketches to key figures within the industry and facilitating crucial introductions. As Sohaib himself notes, London may have introduced him to watchmaking, but it was Milan that truly forged his path.
During this formative period, Sohaib was not just a student; he was an active creator. He began developing, producing, and selling his first timepieces under his own name, Maghnam Watches. This brand continues to exist today, serving as his personal creative "sandbox," a space where he can explore design concepts unbound by the conventional norms of the industry. This hands-on experience as an independent micro-brand owner proved invaluable.
The transition from passionate student to professional watchmaker happened with surprising speed. Just weeks before completing his Master's degree in Milan, Sohaib received a call from Qatar. The caller was Hader Al Suwaidi, the president of the Albidaa luxury group, who was initially reaching out to purchase one of his Maghnam watches. This single transaction, however, quickly led to a second, more significant conversation.
A few days later, Al Suwaidi called again, but this time with a transformative offer: to come to Doha and head the group's nascent watch division. Albidaa was in the initial stages of establishing a fully independent watch brand as part of its luxury portfolio. This was the genesis of Beda’a, and Sohaib, with his unique blend of engineering prowess and design acumen, was the perfect candidate to lead it.
Courtesy of Beda'a
For Sohaib, the opportunity was impossible to ignore. It was a chance to do more than just design; he would be building an entire brand from the ground up. The role would require him to manage everything from supplier chains and technical development to sales, marketing, and team building. A few months later, he departed for Doha to begin the Beda’a adventure.
Once in Doha as the CEO of Beda’a, Sohaib's multifaceted skill set proved to be the brand's greatest asset. At just 27, he was a rare profile in the industry. He possessed the technical credibility of an engineer, the creative vision of a designer, and the cultural fluency to bridge the gap between European manufacturing and the Arab market. He had spent nearly seven years in Europe, honing his craft and building a network, yet remained deeply rooted in his own language and culture.
Under his leadership, Beda’a quickly came into its own. The brand began to establish a serious presence, earning a following among collectors and participating in major industry exhibitions, including Watches and Wonders, Geneva Watch Days, the Wind Up Watch Fair in New York City, and The Horology Club anniversary event in Hong Kong.
This momentum was channeled into the creation of the brand's four foundational collections. These pillars include Attrayant, which is described as assertive and classic; Fortress, which features distinct Art Deco accents; and Angles, an unclassifiable best-seller whose limited New York series sold out in mere hours. This diverse lineup demonstrated the brand's creative range and ability to execute different concepts successfully.
Finally, Beda’a released its ultimate statement piece: Eclipse. This model holds a special place in the brand's portfolio. It is the most elemental of Beda’a’s creations, being the only round watch in Sohaib Maghnam’s otherwise shape-focused portfolio. It is also the most ambitious, as it was designed to compete directly in the fiercely competitive realm of fine, Swiss Made watchmaking.
The launch of the first Eclipse was a staggering success. It captured the two elements that appeal most to modern collectors: an unconventional and visually engaging hours-and-minutes display, combined with a price point that was seen as uncompromisingly fair. The market's response was immediate and overwhelming. All 200 pieces of the initial run vanished in just three hours, leaving thousands of hopeful buyers on a waiting list.
Courtesy of Beda'a
That patience is now being rewarded with the introduction of an unprecedented evolution of the concept, the Beda’a Eclipse II. This new timepiece marks a watershed moment for the Maison, opening a second chapter in its story and deepening the celestial narrative that inspired the collection. It is presented as a horological tribute to the cosmos, a reminder that the very concept of timekeeping was born from humanity’s ancient fascination with the stars.
In the Eclipse II, design remains paramount. The watch orchestrates a compelling dialogue between linear, architectural precision and soft, orbital grace. The entire composition is built along a singular vertical axis. This axis creates a perfect, pure alignment connecting three key elements: the off-center hours and minutes display at the top, an independent small seconds display at the bottom, and a crown boldly positioned at six o’clock. This crown placement is a significant departure from convention but is intrinsic to the watch's symmetrical design.
The watch is housed within a 37 mm round case, a modest and classic diameter that defies the trend of oversized watches. This case, crafted from high-grade 904L stainless steel, features a sophisticated interplay of finishes. A brightly polished bezel frames the dial, while the sides of the case and the distinct, sharply curved lugs are treated with a fine satin brush. The watch's slimness is also notable, measuring just 9.55 mm in height, with a 47 mm lug-to-lug dimension that ensures it wears comfortably on a wide range of wrists.
Within this round frame, the dial is a multi-layered masterpiece. Two seamlessly integrated sub-dials create a majestic figure-eight layout. The upper circle, which displays the hours and minutes, serves as the watch's celestial canvas. It is crafted from a disc of deep blue aventurine, a material famed for its glittering inclusions that perfectly mirror a star-strewn night sky. Against this cosmic backdrop, polished, spear-shaped hands track the time.
The lower circle, positioned at six o'clock, is dedicated to the small seconds. This sub-dial offers a stark, beautiful contrast to the aventurine above. Its surface is finished with a deeply textured circular satin-brush, creating a radiant metallic sheen that Beda’a likens to the windswept sands of Qatar’s deserts. A single, polished spear-shaped hand glides over this counter, which is discreetly marked with the collection's name, "Eclipse."
Courtesy of Beda'a
These two main circles are not floating in isolation. They are bridged and framed by symmetrical crescent-shaped motifs. These elements are finished with a distinctive linear, sunray-style engraving, described as "polished and satin-finished cream motifs." This detailing provides a brilliant, architectural contrast to the organic sparkle of the aventurine and the brushed metal of the seconds dial. It is this interplay of textures—cosmic glass, brushed metal, and engraved steel—that gives the Eclipse II its remarkable visual depth.
The Eclipse II is more than just a design update; it represents a significant technical step forward for Beda’a. Heeding the feedback from collectors, the brand has enhanced the mechanical value of the watch, creating what it calls its first complication. This was achieved while meticulously avoiding the kind of price inflation often seen in the industry. As Sohaib Maghnam emphasizes, "The price is exactly where it should be. No less, but certainly no more."
To achieve this balance, the Eclipse II movement, dubbed Caliber BMJ-01, combines two key variables. The foundation is a Sellita SW300. This is a proven, reliable, and slim Swiss automatic caliber that Beda’a knows well, as it was also used in the first Eclipse. This base provides the 4 Hz frequency and a solid 52-hour power reserve.
For this second chapter, however, Beda’a has added a crucial component: a custom module developed in partnership with the specialist workshop Dubois Dépraz. This partnership adds immense horological credibility. Dubois Dépraz is a famed, family-owned complications specialist founded in 1901 in the Vallée de Joux, the very heart of historical Swiss watchmaking. Their unparalleled technical expertise enabled Beda’a to design this new, complex display while keeping the watch perfectly proportioned at 37 mm in diameter and under 10 mm thick.
The celestial theme of the Eclipse II extends to the movement's rotor, which is visible through an exhibition caseback. Beda’a has designed an openworked rotor of rare sophistication. It features eight three-dimensional blades, each satin-finished in a radiant motif that fans out from the center. At the heart of each blade is a polished, stylized "B" for Beda’a, which is set against a laser-sandblasted background. This detailed alternation of polished, brushed, and sandblasted finishes on the rotor echoes the refined finishing seen on the watch's case.
Courtesy of Beda'a
The Beda’a Eclipse II is offered with either an alligator or ostrich leather strap, in black or blue, fitted with a matching 904L steel pin buckle. This complements the tones of the dial and ensures a comfortable fit. The watch is rated for a water resistance of 3 ATM, or 30 meters, making it suitable for daily wear.
Finally, Beda’a has made a deliberate choice regarding the watch's availability. The Eclipse II is not a limited edition, which would be sold once and then disappear. Instead, the brand has opted for a limited-production model, with manufacturing capped at just 100 pieces per year. This strategy ensures a level of exclusivity and maintains the handcrafted nature of the watch, while also allowing new collectors a chance to acquire one over time. This accessible approach is reflected in its target price of 4,000 CHF, exclusive of taxes. This pricing strategy reinforces the brand's core philosophy: offering collectors exceptional design and quality craftsmanship at an uncompromisingly fair value.
Case: 904 Stainless steel. 37 mm diameter, 9.55 mm height, 47 mm lug to lug. Water resistance 3 ATM (30 meters). Crown at 6 o'clock.
Movement: Caliber BMJ-01, developed with Dubois Dépraz, based on Sellita SW300. Automatic. 4 Hz frequency. 52 hours power reserve. Features jump hour complication. Openworked celestial-themed rotor.
Dial: Multi-layered construction using steel, brass, and aventurine. Aventurine hour and minute counter with jump hour display at 12 o’clock. Deeply textured circular satin-finished small seconds counter at 6 o’clock.
Strap: Alligator or ostrich leather with matching 904L steel pin buckle. 19 mm width.
Price: 4,000 CHF (excl. taxes) / 16500 QAR
Reference Number: BQE20525-37
Notes: Production is limited to 100 pieces per year. The watch features a unique vertical layout with the crown positioned at 6 o'clock.