The 45th Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the 14th Salon de TIME, jointly organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Limited, and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Limited, concluded successfully yesterday. The Click2Match smart business matching platform remains open until 12 September, facilitating continued online business discussions between exhibitors and buyers worldwide.
Over the five-day fair, more than 17,000 trade buyers from 115 countries and regions attended to source watch and clock products. Buyers from outside Hong Kong mainly came from the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, India, Japan, Russia, and the US, as well as ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Notably, buyer attendance from North America, ASEAN, and Latin America recorded significant growth, underscoring Hong Kong's pivotal role as an international trading center and premier sourcing hub for the global watch and clock industry in Asia.
The Salon de TIME was fully open to the public with free admission. Together with CENTRESTAGE, held concurrently, the two events attracted over 20,000 public visits for shopping, showcasing the latest products from more than 400 watch and fashion brands.
Smilely Lam, HKTDC Associate Executive Director, said: "As the world's largest one-stop watch and clock marketplace, the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TIME connect the entire value chain spanning manufacturing, sourcing, and brand promotion, bringing together brands, watchmakers, suppliers, retailers, collectors, watch media, and enthusiasts from around the world to create a comprehensive industry ecosystem. This year, Salon de TIME attracted more than 150 brands from across the globe, achieving a record scale and further enhancing the fair's international profile and diversity. The number of exhibitors in the Microbrands zone doubled compared with last year. From what we observed at the fair, there is strong market demand for microbrands, Guochao-inspired watches, and cross-industry collaborations, reflecting consumers' growing appreciation for personalised designs, cultural and creative elements, and compelling brand stories. The fairs created opportunities for industry players worldwide to connect, collaborate, and forge business partnerships, and also fully demonstrated Hong Kong's strengths as an international trading platform by attracting global opportunities to Hong Kong while helping Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland enterprises and brands expand into overseas markets."
During the fair, HKTDC conducted a survey interviewing around 890 exhibitors and buyers to gain insights into the future development of the global watch and clock industry. The survey found that 50% of respondents expect overall sales to increase over the next 12 to 24 months, while 43% anticipate sales will remain stable. Respondents identified Latin America (68%), Korea (67%), the Middle East (64%), Australia (64%), and South Africa (64%) as markets offering promising or very promising growth prospects for the watch and clock industry over the next two years. Regarding product trends, 37% of respondents believe fashion watches offer the greatest growth potential, followed by smart watches (30%) and casual watches (26%).
Exhibitors reported robust business results. Lu Yalan, Brand Manager of Nanyue Watches at Hunan Shengshi Weide Technology Co., Ltd., representing the Hengyang, Hunan pavilion, said: "The Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair is an international event that fully leverages Hong Kong's unique strengths as a gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland and the world, as well as its blend of Eastern and Western cultures, making it an ideal platform for us to expand into overseas markets. We have already connected with potential buyers from India, Italy, and Malaysia, including an Italian buyer interested in purchasing 2,000 watches. We expect sales generated during the five-day fair to exceed US$3 million." Chauncey Chiu, Senior Sales Manager at Peacock Watch (Group) Co., Ltd., said: "Global recognition of Chinese watchmaking has continued to grow in recent years, and we are leveraging the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair to further expand into overseas markets, particularly Europe and the US. This year, we have also made first-time connections with new customers from Kuwait and Mexico. During the fair, we secured orders every day, and we expect total sales generated from this year's fair to exceed RMB10 million."
Nabil Dabaan, CEO of Jovial, a watch wholesaler and retailer from the United Arab Emirates, said: "During this year's fair, we expect to source approximately US$1 million worth of watch components from nine suppliers, including two newly identified suppliers. In addition, we plan to purchase around US$250,000 worth of packaging boxes, shopping bags, and display materials." CN Innovations Limited, which has participated in every Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair since the beginning, showcased 3D-printed titanium watches. SK Chong, Business Development Director, said: "We have participated in the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair for 45 consecutive years, and it remains an irreplaceable platform for our business. As the world's largest importer of watches and a leading exporter, Hong Kong offers the ideal stage to showcase our rich heritage and our latest innovations."
At Salon de TIME, several exhibitors showcased Guochao-inspired watches. Sun International Concepts Ltd. presented five renowned Chinese Mainland watch brands, including creations by Xushu Ma, Zehua Tan, and Lin Yonghua, members of the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI). David Sun, Executive Director, said the company received 17 enquiries for bespoke timepieces, including eight from overseas markets, generating customised watch orders totalling HK$4 million. George Xu, CEO of Fosun Watch Group, said: "We have engaged with customers from India, the Middle East, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. We expect sales to exceed HK$1 million. A Turkish client we met at last year's fair is now opening a dedicated retail store in Turkey. Following the success of our first store in Tsim Sha Tsui, we plan to launch our flagship store in Central."
The Microbrands zone attracted 29 brands from eight countries and regions, more than double last year's number. Katarina Halvorssen, CRM & Sales Manager at MicroMilspec from Norway, said: "More than 170 visitors came to our booth on the first day alone, including customers from Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, and the UAE. We estimate potential sales of around US$29,000." Ciff Luk, Founder of Watchcatavlog from Hong Kong, said: "Salon de TIME allows watch enthusiasts to try on timepieces firsthand, while also helping brands connect with international buyers. We expect sales to reach HK$280,000." WOLF, the luxury watch storage brand from the UK, launched Rocket, the world's most compact travel watch winder. Michael Jappert, Global Sales Director, said: "Through HKTDC's Click2Match platform, we have connected with around 40 potential buyers from markets including the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Dubai, Japan, Korea, the Middle East, and the US."
Amarildo Pilo, Owner of PILO & CO SA and Founder of the Swiss Independent Watchmakers Pavilion, said: "We have met more than 10 clients interested in our products, including three new contacts from Kazakhstan and a buyer from the Chinese Mainland. The SIWP Pavilion has grown from 10 brands last year to 14 this year." LINK2CARE, in collaboration with Swiss watch brand MARVIN, launched a luxury smartwatch with medical-grade biometric sensors. Paul Yuen, Director of Dayton Industrial Co. Ltd, said: "Our watches, priced over HK$2,000, sold more than 100 units on the first day alone. The new Time Arena activity zone significantly enhanced visitor engagement." Abel Hwong, Publisher of World of Luxury Times, led a 26-member delegation and purchased 12 watches worth over HK$100,000.
The success of this year's fair reinforces Hong Kong's status as the world's leading watch and clock marketplace, facilitating global trade and showcasing the industry's latest trends and innovations.
