Breaking Barriers: Saira Akram Becomes Pakistan’s First Female Watchmaker

Mon Sep 30 2024
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KARACHI: Leading Pakistani watch and jewelry brand, Collectibles by Sonraj, has made history by training and inducting Pakistan’s first professional female watchmaker, Saira Akram, at its service center in Karachi.

By pursuing a career in watchmaking, Saira not only breaks barriers but also inspires young people to consider unconventional career paths that promise both professional success and personal fulfillment.

With over five decades of experience, Sonraj has established a prestigious legacy in Pakistan’s watch industry, serving as an exclusive distributor for luxury global brands such as Omega, Hublot, Chopard, Breitling, Gucci, Glashütte, and Blancpain.

In 1967, the Pak-Swiss Horological Training Center was founded in collaboration with the Swiss Horology Federation, offering a world-class three-year associate diploma in watchmaking. Supported by Rado and the WOSTEP foundation, this institute trained hundreds of aspiring watchmakers over more than 40 graduating batches until its closure in 2022 due to economic challenges.

Under the leadership of CEO Rameez Sattar, Sonraj is committed to revitalizing Pakistan’s watchmaking industry by nurturing local talent. Sattar stated, “Watchmaking has always been my passion, but the industry in Pakistan has nearly disappeared due to the closure of professional institutions. We aim to create employment opportunities and revive the country’s proud heritage.”

The induction of Saira Akram as the country’s first professional female watchmaker marks a significant milestone for the industry. Sonraj has been instrumental in training numerous watchmakers, many of whom now work with prestigious global brands. Sattar believes that Pakistan’s large, tech-savvy youth population presents immense potential to meet global demand, especially by empowering women, who comprise half of the population.

Saira expressed her excitement, saying, “Joining Sonraj Service Center as Pakistan’s first professional female watchmaker is a thrilling opportunity. Watchmaking is a challenging field, renowned for its intricacy and prestige, and I am proud to break barriers and set new precedents. I am grateful for the support from my organization, which motivates me to achieve excellence in this field.”

Saira’s achievement has been widely celebrated within the industry. Renowned banker and Chairman of HBL, Mr. Sultan Ali Allana, who comes from a family with deep ties to watchmaking, praised her milestone. He said, “I commend Collectibles for providing a platform for artisanal watchmaking and encourage more women to explore this rich tradition. This initiative will pave the way for future female watchmakers in Pakistan.”

Currently, Collectibles operates outlets in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta, and Faisalabad, along with a well-equipped training center in Karachi dedicated to high-quality after-sales service and the training of aspiring watchmakers. The company aims to expand its training institute and after-sales services to other regions across the country.

“Karachi was once the hub of watchmaking in Asia,” Rameez Sattar recalled. “Pakistan still has significant potential that can be harnessed by establishing new professional training schools. With the right commitment from industry leaders and global brands, we can put Pakistan back on the global watchmaking map.”

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