Highlights
- Marya Ali, a Dubai-born 25-year-old, breaks stereotypes by becoming a prominent luxury watch dealer.
- Her fascination with watches since childhood led her to explore a unique career path.
- An opportunity as an assistant to a professional watchmaker in London marks the beginning of her horological journey.
- Marya refines her skills by handling watches ranging from £8,000 to £500,000.
- She manages a global network of collectors through her WhatsApp broadcast, showcasing her industry connections.
- Marya believes watches transcend their timekeeping purpose, serving as investments, heirlooms, and status symbols.
- Her advice for beginners includes choosing brands with consistent growth and popularity for long-term value.
- Marya’s keen understanding of watches helps her distinguish genuine pieces from the challenging counterfeit market.
- Marya’s journey exemplifies how passion, knowledge, and dedication can lead to success in unconventional career paths.
Marya Ali, Watch Dealer
In a story of both choice and coincidence, Marya Ali, a 25-year-old native of Dubai, has shattered norms and become a trailblazer in the realm of luxury watches.
Early Fascination
Having grown up surrounded by opulence, Marya’s journey to becoming a watch dealer began amidst the conversations of men discussing the intricacies of timepieces. “It was always the watches that the men in the family discussed that I was transfixed by. This was how I began to understand more about the market and where my love of watches was born,” she shared.
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Horological Journey
With her roots deeply intertwined with the UAE, Marya’s journey led her to London, where her fascination with watches took a tangible form. A chance opportunity to work as an assistant to a professional watchmaker transformed her life forever.
Mastering the Craft
Handling timepieces ranging from £8,000 to £500,000, Marya immersed herself in the world of horology, learning from experts and honing her skills. Her determination to succeed in a male-dominated field pushed her to further educate herself, turning her into a respected professional in the industry.
Global Reach
In 2022, Marya joined Love Luxury, a Knightsbridge-based pre-loved designer boutique that has now expanded its footprint to Dubai. Her role not only involves dealing with high-profile customers but also managing a global network of collectors through her WhatsApp broadcast.
Watches in the Digital Era
Marya’s story is not just about breaking barriers but also about embracing the evolving relevance of watches in an era dominated by digital timekeeping. She believes that watches are far more than time-telling devices; they are investments, family heirlooms, and symbols of status.
Wise Investments
With her unique insight, Marya advises beginners to choose wisely when investing in watches, focusing on brands that show consistent growth and popularity. As for spotting fakes, she acknowledges the challenges posed by the counterfeit market, but her deep understanding of timepieces gives her an edge in distinguishing the genuine from the fake.
Rewriting Career Narratives
Marya’s journey underscores that passion, knowledge, and dedication can open doors in unexpected places, rewriting the narrative of traditional career paths.
