LIFE AND STYLE
Mauritian Engineer, 31, Turns Timepieces into ‘Personal Legacies’
A 31-year-old biomedical engineer is redefining the Mauritian luxury market by transforming standard horology into bespoke “emotional legacies,” reporting a turnover of MUR 2.5 million last year.
Hossny Abdur-Raheem, a Doha College alumnus, has successfully pivoted from medical technology to high-end watchmaking.
His venture, founded during the 2020 global pandemic, specialises in entirely customisable watches that feature intimate engravings, such as wedding photos and children’s names, or bespoke settings with sapphires and diamonds.
Significant Financial Growth
The business has demonstrated robust commercial viability in a competitive sector.
Within its short tenure, the company recorded a net profit of approximately MUR 700,000 from its MUR 2.5 million revenue.
Currently, the operation supports the local economy by employing three staff members.
“Engineering taught me precision, patience, and respect for detail,” Abdur-Raheem said, noting that these skills are now the signature of his craft.
“If you can imagine it, I can create it.”
From Biomedical Science to Bespoke Design
Abdur-Raheem’s journey began with rigorous academic training in India, where he studied Biomedical Engineering.
This background in complex mechanisms provided the foundation for his shift into watchmaking in 2020.
Rather than following industrial standards, his workshop focuses on the “unique piece” concept. Clients can customise every element, including:
- Dials: Featuring engraved personal photographs or significant dates.
- Cases: Ciseled with names or intimate messages.
- Gemstones: Carefully selected sapphires, diamonds, and other precious stones.
- Straps: Tailored to the wearer’s lifestyle and personal symbolism.
A Growing International Appeal
While the local Mauritian market initially embraced the concept, the brand has increasingly attracted tourists seeking a unique memento of the island.
Unlike mass-produced luxury goods, these watches are marketed as extensions of the wearer’s identity.
Future Ambitions
Looking ahead, Abdur-Raheem aims to position Mauritius as a credible player in the international luxury watchmaking arena. His long-term strategy includes:
- Expanding the product range.
- Strengthening international presence.
- Training young local talent to establish a distinct Mauritian signature in a field traditionally dominated by foreign heritage houses.
“I don’t want to sell something banal,” Abdur-Raheem explained. “I want the person to say: ‘This watch is mine; it looks like me.'”
Source: Defi Media