Briseida Mema

Stay informed with Briseida Mema’s coverage and analysis for Fortune.

Woman having facial injections and medical equipment of skin care.

Once Europe’s North Korea—Albania is now a rising star of the region’s medical tourism industry

By Briseida Mema and AFP

This photograph shows the handcrafted watch “Primordial Passion” by Albanian jewellery house Pirro, in Tirana, on July 31, 2024. Albanian jeweller Pirro Ruco laboured day and night for five years to capture the essence of his country in a spectacular luxury watch. Now the timepiece, worth roughly $1.4 million, is set to face off against the best watches from across the world at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix in November. (Photo by ADNAN BECI / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY MENTION OF THE ARTIST UPON PUBLICATION – TO ILLUSTRATE THE EVENT AS SPECIFIED IN THE CAPTION (Photo by ADNAN BECI/AFP via Getty Images)

Albanian watchmaker’s $1.4 million ‘Primordial Passion’ one-of-a-kind timepiece is set to compete against the top watches at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève

By Briseida Mema and AFP