Bernhard H. Mayer to Bring Egyptian Student’s Winning Watch Design to Life
Fatema Tarek El Sayed wins the brand’s inaugural Open Innovation Challenge, connecting emerging MENA talent with Swiss watchmaking.
Cairo, 26 October 2026: Bernhard H. Mayer, QNET’s Swiss luxury brand for fine jewelry and timepieces, has named Egyptian design studentFatema Tarek El Sayed the winner of the inaugural Bernhard H. MayerOpen Innovation Challenge. Her winning concept, VELORA, will be developed into a Bernhard H. Mayertimepiece, with a portion of sales proceeds supporting a breast cancer organisation in Egypt.
Fatema, a student at the Faculty of Arts and Design at October University for Modern Sciences and Arts, will travel to Biel, Switzerland, as part of her prize. There, she will gain first-hand exposure to Swiss watchmaking and work alongside the brand’s experts as her concept is adapted for production. The finished timepiece is set to be unveiled during Pink October 2027.
Her achievement was celebrated at a special event in Cairo attended by representatives from Bernhard H. Mayer®, QNET, academia, and the creative community.
Launched in October 2025 as part of the brand’s Pink October breast cancer awareness initiative, the challenge invited young designers across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to create an original watch concept inspired by hope, strength, and compassion for women affected by breast cancer. In collaboration with arts and design institutions across the region, Bernhard H. Mayer® gave students the opportunity to take their ideas beyond the classroom and explore how design, craftsmanship, and social purpose can come together in a tangible creation.
Bernhard H.Mayer, representing the fourth generation of the Mayer family, said: “Heritage is not only about preserving the craftsmanship and values passed down through generations; it is also about empowering new generations to shape the future. Fatema’s design beautifully reflects this belief, bringing together the artistry of watchmaking, the promise of emerging talent, and a deeply meaningful message of hope and resilience for women affected by breast cancer. It is a privilege to help bring her vision to life and create a timepiece that carries a purpose far beyond its beauty.”
VELORA draws its inspiration from the metamorphosis of a moth emerging from its cocoon—a symbol Fatema connected to the experiences of women who have faced breast cancer.
Fatema said: “VELORA was inspired by the metamorphosis of a moth emerging from its cocoon, which I connected to the journey of women who have faced breast cancer. What I’m most proud of is that this project taught me that design can communicate something beyond its appearance; it can carry a message, create an emotional connection, and give meaning to an experience of resilience. Winning this challenge is an incredible honour, and I am excited to see where this idea takes me and to learn from the world of Swiss watchmaking.”
Dr.Tarek Saleh, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design at October University for Modern Sciences and Arts, said: “We are immensely proud of Fatema. Opportunities like this allow students to move beyond academic projects and experience what it means to develop a design with a real brief, a real audience, and a real purpose. Seeing her concept move towards becoming an actual timepiece is an exceptional experience for both Fatema and our institution.
Dr. Karim Maghraoui, entrepreneurship expert and advocate for university-industry collaboration, said: “Companies that embrace open innovation demonstrate a forward-looking approach by looking beyond their internal resources and engaging with the wider ecosystem.
Open innovation challenges connect academia and industry, bringing together diverse knowledge and creative capabilities while creating opportunities for young talent. The Bernhard H. Mayer® Open Innovation Challenge is particularly distinctive in bringing these elements together with a clear social purpose, creating a platform where young creative potential, industry expertise, and meaningful social impact intersect.”
The Bernhard Open Innovation Challenge has also received international recognition, winning two Bronze Stevie Awards in the categories of Most Innovative Social Impact and Most Innovative Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility.
Commenting on this, Hussam Kamel, QNET’s Regional General Manager, said, “Fatema’s achievement is a wonderful example of what can happen when young designers are given the right platform and a meaningful challenge. We are proud to see this initiative receive international recognition, further underscoring the value of bringing creative innovation and social purpose together.”
With VELORA, a young Egyptian designer’s vision will take shape through
Swiss craftsmanship and give back to the cause that inspired it
