Weekly Round-up

Actionable intelligence, not noise.

Agenda

  • Spotlight

  • Fine Assets

  • Real Estate

  • Equities

Dubai Real Estate Market Trends 2025 (Prices & Investment Outlook)

Dubai’s real estate market in 2025 isn’t just growing — it’s transforming in ways few global cities can match. Transaction volumes have shattered previous records, off-plan sales are soaring past ready homes, and luxury properties are hitting valuations once thought out of reach.

Combined with investor-friendly policies, tax advantages, and a vibrant expat ecosystem, Dubai’s real estate market trends are cementing its status as one of the most forward-thinking property markets in the world.

But what truly makes 2025 stand out is the diversity of opportunities. From Palm Jumeirah villas commanding over AED 8,000 per square meter, to smart community apartments in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) yielding upwards of 7% annually, each corner of the city is offering its own unique investment story.

As Emaar, Nakheel, Sobha, and other major developers push out ambitious new projects, they’re being met by a wave of buyers ranging from European family offices to Asian tech entrepreneurs — all eager to secure a slice of Dubai’s growth story.

At the same time, Dubai’s regulatory environment has never been more transparent. RERA’s investor protections, DLD’s escrow safeguards, and digital title transfers via the REST app are lowering barriers and building confidence among global investors.

As one of our analysts recently put it: “The ease of doing property transactions in Dubai today rivals that of buying a car — fast, secure, and fully digital.”

Belgian Blue-Chip Artists Are Slowly Gaining Investor Attention In 2025

Belgium has always punched above its weight when it comes to art. From the surreal genius of René Magritte to the haunting realism of Michaël Borremans, the country has produced artists who consistently influence galleries, museums, and collectors across the globe. But while the cultural value of Belgian art has long been recognized, its financial potential is only now starting to attract serious attention from investors.

In 2025, a growing number of private collectors and art funds are beginning to zero in on Belgian blue-chip artists. Why? Because many of these works are still priced lower than their American, British, or even French counterparts—despite similar levels of institutional backing, auction history, and global relevance.

For investors looking for long-term value, this mismatch between artistic prestige and market price offers a compelling opportunity.

Auction data backs up this trend. According to Artprice, Belgian blue-chip artists have seen a steady rise in both demand and realized prices over the past five years, particularly in the post-pandemic market. At the same time, international galleries are expanding their presence in Brussels and Antwerp, signaling stronger global demand for local talent.

Single-Vineyard Wines vs Blends: Which Is Best For Investment (2025)

The debate around Single-Vineyard Wines vs Blends has become one of the most interesting in the modern wine world—especially for collectors and investors looking to balance their cellars for quality and return. Single-vineyard wines often promise purity and a distinct expression of place, while blends highlight the art of the winemaker, combining grapes from different plots or even regions to achieve complexity and balance.

Over the last decade, global demand for both categories has grown, but in very different ways. Premium blends from Bordeaux and Napa have commanded top auction results, driven by historic brand strength and consistent scores.

At the same time, demand for meticulously crafted single-vineyard wines—especially from Burgundy, Barolo, and cult estates in California—has surged, with some rare cuvées appreciating by over 250% in the past 10 years.

In 2024 alone, the global fine wine market saw sales of single-vineyard designated bottles increase by 18%, while high-profile blended wines from traditional houses still captured the highest dollar values, up 11% year-over-year.

Why Swiss Watch Collectors Are Buying Now Ahead Of Price Hikes (2025)

Swiss watch collectors are moving fast—and for good reason. A newly imposed 39% U.S. tariff on Swiss-made watches has sent a ripple through the luxury watch market, especially among buyers in the United States. While watch prices were already trending upward due to supply constraints and high demand, this policy change has accelerated a sense of urgency.

For seasoned collectors and new investors alike, this isn’t just about avoiding higher prices—it’s about protecting upside. When a Rolex Submariner or Patek Philippe Nautilus is expected to cost thousands more next quarter, buying now becomes a strategic move.

The secondary market is already showing signs of tightening. Some retailers are reporting spikes in inquiries, and private sales platforms are seeing more cash-ready buyers trying to beat the pricing curve.

Beyond tariffs, other factors are fueling the trend. The Swiss franc has strengthened in recent months, pushing up import costs for buyers outside Europe.

At the same time, inflationary pressures have driven up the cost of raw materials like gold and steel—both central to premium watchmaking. As margins shrink, watchmakers are almost certainly going to pass those increases on to consumers.

Jean-Claude Biver, legendary former CEO of Hublot and head of LVMH’s watch division, once noted, “Price is only an issue in the absence of value.”

For collectors who view luxury timepieces not just as accessories but as appreciating assets, this may be one of the last windows to buy before price hikes reset the market.

Why Smart Investors Still Use Mortgages Even When They Have Cash

At a glance, paying all cash for a property feels like the safest and smartest move. No interest, no debt, no monthly payments—it’s clean and simple. But seasoned investors often think differently. Many of them choose to take out a mortgage even when they have more than enough money to pay upfront.

This isn’t a matter of affordability. It’s about strategy.

Using debt intelligently allows investors to keep their capital working in other areas—whether that’s in the stock market, a growing business, or other properties. Mortgage financing becomes a tool for liquidity, diversification, and often, greater returns. It’s not about avoiding risk altogether, but about managing it in a way that grows wealth over time.

As Morgan Housel, author of The Psychology of Money, puts it: “Wealth is what you don’t see. Using leverage smartly means keeping your cash where it works hardest.”

How Currency Shifts Are Powering European Equities In 2025

European equities are quietly enjoying one of their best stretches in years—and part of the story has little to do with earnings or macro surprises. Instead, it’s the euro itself that’s helping push valuations higher.

In 2025, the euro has shown impressive resilience, holding steady against the dollar and even gaining ground against other major currencies like the yen and pound. That strength is more than just a macro footnote—it’s creating new dynamics in European equity markets that are favoring domestic-facing sectors, boosting investor confidence, and changing how global capital is flowing into the region.

For long-term investors, especially those used to watching U.S. dollar trends, this is a key shift.

As BlackRock noted in a recent European strategy update, “currency alignment is one of the most overlooked tailwinds in equity performance. When the currency works in your favor, you don’t need 10% EPS growth to make money.“

With valuations still trading at a discount to U.S. peers and new capital pouring into eurozone equities, it’s worth asking: could currency trends continue to power this rally deeper into 2025?

At The Luxury Playbook, we don’t follow the market—we analyze it, decode it, and stay ahead of it.”

The Luxury Playbook’s Mission