- Collectibles by Sonraj has made history by training and inducting Pakistan’s first female professional watchmaker, Saira Akram, inspiring youth to pursue unconventional career paths.
- Sonraj, a key player in Pakistan’s watch industry for over 50 years, is committed to reviving the country’s watchmaking heritage by training local talent, despite the closure of the Pak-Swiss Horological Training Center in 2022.
- CEO Rameez Sattar sees great potential in Pakistan’s youth and believes the country can regain its place in the global watchmaking industry, with plans to expand training centers and create new opportunities.
Collectibles by Sonraj, a leading Pakistani brand in watches and jewelry, has made history by training and appointing Pakistan’s first female professional watchmaker, Saira Akram, at its service center in Karachi. Saira’s groundbreaking achievement in choosing watchmaking as a career is inspiring young people to consider less conventional career paths that promise both professional success and personal fulfillment.
Sonraj has been a prominent name in Pakistan’s watch industry for over 50 years, serving as the exclusive distributor of top global luxury brands like Omega, Hublot, Chopard, Breitling, Gucci, Glashütte, Blancpain, and others.
In 1967, the Pak-Swiss Horological Training Center was established in collaboration with the Swiss Horology Federation, offering a prestigious three-year diploma in watchmaking. Supported by Rado (owned by the Swatch Group) and the renowned WOSTEP foundation, this institute trained generations of skilled watchmakers. However, after more than 40 graduating classes, it was forced to close in 2022 due to economic and sustainability issues.
Sonraj, the parent company of Collectibles, opened its first service center in 1976, focused on training highly skilled individuals. Under the leadership of CEO Rameez Sattar, Sonraj is working to revive Pakistan’s watchmaking industry by continuing training efforts through the Collectibles Service Center. Sattar commented, “Watchmaking has always been my passion, but the industry in Pakistan has nearly disappeared with the closure of professional institutions. We aim to create jobs and restore the country’s proud legacy.”
By training and inducting Saira Akram as Pakistan’s first female watchmaker, Sonraj has taken a monumental step toward revitalizing the industry. The company has trained hundreds of watchmakers, many of whom work with globally renowned brands. Sattar sees great potential in Pakistan’s youthful, tech-savvy population and believes that, by empowering young people, including women, the country can contribute to global demand in watchmaking, despite the current global shortage of skilled professionals.
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Saira Akram expressed her excitement about joining the Sonraj Service Center, stating, “I am honored to become Pakistan’s first professional female watchmaker. Watchmaking is known for its complexity and prestige, and I am proud to break barriers and set new benchmarks in the industry. I am grateful to my organization for providing me with the opportunity to pursue excellence in this field.”
Saira’s accomplishment has been widely appreciated within the industry. Sultan Ali Allana, Chairman of HBL and descendant of a watchmaking family, praised her achievement, stating, “As someone whose family has deep roots in horology, long before Pakistan’s independence, I am thrilled by Saira Akram’s success. I applaud Collectibles for promoting artisanal watchmaking and hope this will encourage more women to pursue careers in this rich tradition.”
Collectibles currently has stores in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta, and Faisalabad, with a well-equipped training center in Karachi offering high-quality after-sales service and watchmaking training. The brand aims to expand its training institutes to other cities across Pakistan.
Reflecting on the past, Rameez Sattar remarked, “Pakistan, particularly Karachi, was once the watchmaking hub of Asia. The country still holds untapped potential. With the establishment of new professional schools and the right commitment from industry leaders, we can reestablish Pakistan’s place in global watchmaking. Sonraj is leading the charge, and with support, we hope to see results sooner rather than later.”
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