The 43rd Hong Kong Watch & Clock Design Competition concluded with the announcement of its winners, showcasing the creative prowess of emerging designers and underscoring the industry's commitment to innovation. The competition, 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, ran alongside the 45th Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the 14th Salon de TIME, which attracted over 17,000 trade buyers from 115 countries and regions.
This year's competition featured two categories: the Open Group, themed 'Transcending Time,' and the Student Group, themed 'Contours of the Breeze.' The Open Group challenged participants to translate sensory experiences into design elements, creating abstract realms that break the boundaries of time. Meanwhile, the Student Group encouraged full-time students to capture the movement of wind, reflecting life's limitless possibilities. A total of 130 entries were received, evaluated by a panel of eight industry representatives and celebrity guest judge Joey Thye.
The Open Group Champion was awarded to Chan Pak Hei and Yang Tianxu for their design 'Tectonic Indeterminacy,' sponsored by Golden Hawk Manufactory Ltd. Inspired by pebble forms, the design uses angled facets and a sculpted void to integrate the crown, transforming timekeeping into a tactile experience. The First Runner-up, 'Channel' by Wong Ting Bong, incorporates a VU meter scale and pointer, translating sound and time into visual traces. Second Runner-up Pang Sze Ngaw's 'Moment of Stillness' depicts mountain ranges with gold wire and enamel, featuring a relief swallow as a messenger of time.
In the Student Group, Yip Yuen Sze, Christine of the Hong Kong Design Institute, claimed the Champion title with 'Traces of Storm,' a design inspired by cyclone patterns and lightning bolts, symbolizing courage and innovation. Tam Hei Yiu of Pope Paul VI College earned First Runner-up for 'Running through the breeze,' where hour, minute, and second hands represent a girl, a tree, and a windmill, conveying perseverance. Second Runner-up went to Lo Hoi Pui of the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong for 'Carpe Diem,' drawing from dandelion seeds and a weathervane.
Additionally, the Made-to-Sell Award was presented to Yip Yuen Sze, Christine, recognizing the commercial potential of 'Traces of Storm.' The Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association and the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries will bring the design into production, launching it through the HKTDC's Design Gallery. This initiative bridges education and industry, fostering young talent and injecting fresh perspectives into the watch and clock sector.
The competition has been instrumental in elevating design standards and promoting Hong Kong-made timepieces globally. By nurturing creativity and providing a platform for emerging designers, it not only enriches the industry's content but also ensures its continued evolution. As the physical exhibitions concluded, the winning entries and shortlisted designs were displayed, offering a glimpse into the future of horology.
For more information about the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair, visit hkwatchfair.hktdc.com, and for Salon de TIME, visit Salon de TIME. The HKTDC, celebrating its 60th anniversary, continues to support trade and business development through initiatives like these, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a global hub.
