The 45th Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the 14th Salon de TIME, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), 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, allowing exhibitors and buyers worldwide to continue their business discussions online.
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 centre and premier sourcing hub for the global watch and clock industry in Asia.
Salon de TIME was fully open to the public with free admission, and together with CENTRESTAGE, held concurrently, the two events attracted over 20,000 public visits. The fairs showcased the latest products from more than 400 watch and fashion brands.
HKTDC Associate Executive Director Smilely Lam 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. 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 offering promising or very promising growth prospects for the watch and clock industry over the next two years. Regarding product trends, 37% 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., 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, 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, Peacock Watch (Group) Co., Ltd., noted: "Global recognition of Chinese watchmaking has continued to grow, and we are leveraging the fair to further expand into overseas markets, particularly Europe and the US. This year, we made first-time connections with new customers from Kuwait and Mexico. During the fair, we secured orders every day, and we expect total sales 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, a 45-year participant, showcased 3D-printed titanium watches. SK Chong, Business Development Director, said: "The fair remains an irreplaceable platform for our business. Its role has evolved from a transaction-driven trade venue into a strategic platform for industry exchange and market promotion."
At Salon de TIME, Guochao trends were prominent. Sun International Concepts Ltd. presented five renowned Chinese Mainland watch brands, including creations by AHCI members Xushu Ma, Zehua Tan and Lin Yonghua. David Sun, Executive Director, reported receiving 17 enquiries for bespoke timepieces, including eight from overseas, generating customised watch orders totalling HK$4 million.
Sea-Gull Watch and Shanghai Watch held product launches, with George Xu, CEO of Fosun Watch Group, stating: "We have engaged with customers from India, the Middle East, Russia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and expect sales to exceed HK$1 million. The fair has helped us expand overseas, and we plan to launch our flagship store in Central after the fair."
The Microbrands zone attracted 29 brands from eight countries and regions, more than double last year. MicroMilspec from Norway debuted, with Katarina Halvorssen noting: "More than 170 visitors came to our booth on the first day, including customers from Hong Kong, India, the Philippines and the UAE. We estimate potential sales of around US$29,000."
Watchcatavlog from Hong Kong returned, with Founder Ciff Luk saying: "Salon de TIME allows enthusiasts to try on timepieces and helps brands connect with international buyers. We expect sales to reach HK$280,000, and visitor inquiries have increased 20% year-on-year."
WOLF, the UK luxury watch storage brand, launched the world's most compact travel watch winder. Michael Jappert, Global Sales Director, said: "Through Click2Match, we have connected with around 40 potential buyers from markets including the Chinese Mainland, Dubai, Japan, Korea, the Middle East and the US."
Amarildo Pilo, Owner of PILO & CO SA and Founder of the Swiss Independent Watchmakers Pavilion (SIWP), said: "The fair has helped us connect with buyers from Asia, the Middle East and the US. We have met more than 10 clients, including three new contacts from Kazakhstan. The SIWP Pavilion has grown from 10 brands last year to 14 this year."
LINK2CARE, in collaboration with MARVIN, launched a luxury smartwatch with medical-grade biometric sensors. Paul Yuen, Director of Dayton Industrial Co. Ltd, said: "The fair attracted diverse buyers. We also established a cross-industry partnership with a tour guide. Our watches, priced at over HK$2,000, sold more than 100 units on the first day."
Abel Hwong, Publisher & Anchor of World of Luxury Times, led a 26-member delegation and purchased 12 watches worth over HK$100,000, noting: "The fair lets collectors interact directly with brands and turn collecting enthusiasm into real purchases."
The HKTDC will organise a series of trade fairs this autumn, including the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) and electronicAsia from 13 to 16 October, and the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) from 27 to 30 October, all adopting the EXHIBITION+ hybrid format.
