In February, Swiss watchmakers Arsène Lippens made a quiet but purposeful trip to Riyadh. They were not there for a product launch or a media blitz—but for a conversation. One that had been taking shape for months between the atelier and the founder of Saudi Arabia’s emerging independent watch space, 10TenLabs.
The connection began online. Khaled, the founder of 10TenLabs, had been following the Arsène Lippens brand for some time—drawn to its quiet storytelling and its roots in personal memory. “He told me what struck him most was how the brand is grounded in heritage—specifically the one I inherited from my grandfather,” says Lippens.
That story runs deep. At age eleven, Dries Lippens received a few of his grandfather’s watches—elegant, understated, and tied to a unique ritual. “My grandfather and his close friend would buy matching watches every year and engrave each other’s names on them. It was their way of preserving their bond—through Swiss Made timepieces.”
When Khaled shared his plans to open 10TenLabs—a boutique centered on community, story, and independent horology—the alignment felt organic. “It wasn’t a business pitch,” says Lippens. “It was a meeting of mindsets.”
A last-minute invitation brought Dries and co-founder Alberto to Riyadh. The evening was intimate—more listening than presenting—and introduced them to a new generation of Saudi collectors. “You could feel the sincerity. People were truly passionate about watches—not just specs, but what they stand for.”
The next morning, over a conversation rather than a contract, the decision was made: Arsène Lippens watches would become part of the 10TenLabs offering. It was a handshake agreement—symbolic, but clear.
From there, collaboration began. The two teams are now developing a small capsule under the 10TenLabs x Arsène Lippens label, informed by shared values: connection, heritage, and cultural nuance. It’s less about merging aesthetics and more about reflecting mutual respect—each brand retaining its identity while building something new.
There are no sweeping promises. No oversized ambitions. Just two brands with complementary philosophies working toward something with care and clarity. As Lippens puts it, “A passion for watches brought us together—and from here, we’ll see where it leads.”
Discover more: arsenelippens.com | 10tenlabs.com
