Hey all. For a business school case study, I need examples of companies that expanded from the Middle East into European hotel markets. Any leads?

Hey! A perfect case study would be Katara Hospitality from Qatar. Under Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, the company expanded into coastal resorts and historic urban properties across several regions. Instead of rushing into the biggest capitals, they chose landmark buildings near major rail lines and tourist corridors. The company studies each market carefully, assesses renovation costs, then signs deals only when confident about long-term viability. In southern Europe, they acquired stone buildings and restored facades by hand while fitting modern climate systems behind the walls. The article I linked covers this expansion strategy in detail, including their four-step process: assess, repair, train, then promote.

I recently backed up that belief by purchasing an early-2000s Leman Ultra-Slim, from HODINKEE Pre-Owned. Four months later, I'm still absolutely smitten with my new-to-me watch, but I'll admit that I never expected a Leman to be the first Blancpain to make its way into my collection. I assumed it would be a Fifty Fathoms dive watch, because – like many collectors today – that's the link product I most associate with Blancpain.

In the photo above, Jordan is passing off the ceremonial link All-Star Game Ball to Michael Reinsdorf Jr., the president and COO of the hosting Chicago Bulls (who, in case you live under a rock, were Jordan's team for all but the last two years of his career). The funny thing about the UR-202S is that, unlike many Urwerks, it kind of blends in here. To the untrained eye, it just looks like a large steel watch on a bracelet – it's only when you get closer that you realize it's something so unique.