More than 483 international entries ranging from watch and jewellery brands to top designers have been received for the Middle East Premier Awards for Watches, Jewellery and Pens 2011 taking place in Bahrain next month.

The winners will be announced during a gala awards ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa on November 22.

Organised by Arabian Watches and Jewellery magazine, award categories include outstanding watches, jewellery and pens as well as three awards for outstanding young Arab designers.

"The awards draw the best and most representative talent from the industry and over the years have become known as the 'Industry Oscars'," said Arabian Exhibition Management chairman Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

"The awards also serve as motivation and recognition of young and upcoming jewellery designers from the region.

"This year's edition will recognise excellence in design and conceptualisation in 20 categories of watches, jewellery and pens apart from three awards for outstanding young Arab designers."

The awards were established in 2006 by Arabian Watches and Jewellery and PenME magazines.

The 2011 edition will be held alongside the Jewellery Arabia exhibition, a regional meeting point for the international jewellery and watch community from November 22 to 26. Sponsored by Audi Cars, the entries will be judged by a 16-member committee of independent veteran industry officials, observers, designers, aficionados and connoisseurs of watches, jewellery and pens.

The committee has been constituted by jewellery and watches information group MPP-ME, Middle East representatives of the magazines. – TradeArabia News Service