The 45th Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the 14th Salon de TIME, jointly organised 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. Over the five-day fair, more than 17,000 trade buyers from 115 countries and regions attended to source watch and clock products. The event, which also included the Click2Match smart business matching platform open until 12 September, saw significant growth in buyer attendance from North America, ASEAN and Latin America, underscoring Hong Kong's pivotal role as an international trading centre and premier sourcing hub for the global watch and clock industry in Asia.
HKTDC Associate Executive Director Smilely Lam highlighted the fair's role as the world's largest one-stop watch and clock marketplace, connecting the entire value chain from manufacturing to brand promotion. This year, Salon de TIME attracted more than 150 brands from across the globe, achieving a record scale, and the number of exhibitors in the Microbrands zone doubled compared with last year. Lam noted that "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."
A survey conducted by HKTDC during the fair, interviewing around 890 exhibitors and buyers, revealed 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. Regarding product trends, 37% believe fashion watches offer the greatest growth potential, followed by smart watches (30%) and casual watches (26%).
The fair facilitated robust business results for exhibitors. Lu Yalan, Brand Manager of Nanyue Watches at Hunan Shengshi Weide Technology Co., Ltd., representing the Hengyang, Hunan pavilion, said, "We have already connected with potential buyers from India, Italy, and Malaysia, including an Italian buyer who is 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 of Peacock Watch (Group) Co., Ltd., noted first-time connections with customers from Kuwait and Mexico, and expects total sales to exceed RMB10 million. Nabil Dabaan, CEO of Jovial, a watch wholesaler from the UAE, expects to source approximately US$1 million worth of watch components from nine suppliers, including two new ones, and plans to purchase US$250,000 worth of packaging materials.
CN Innovations Limited, a 45-year participant, showcased 3D-printed titanium watches. SK Chong, Business Development Director, said, "The fair's role has evolved significantly, transforming from a venue focused primarily on direct, transaction-driven trade into a strategic platform for industry exchange and market promotion." At Salon de TIME, several exhibitors showcased Guochao-inspired watches, including five renowned Chinese Mainland brands presented by Sun International Concepts Ltd. David Sun, the company's Executive Director, reported 17 enquiries for bespoke timepieces, generating customised watch orders totalling HK$4 million, with eight from overseas markets.
Sea-Gull Watch and Shanghai Watch, leveraging Salon de TIME for international expansion, held product launches. George Xu, CEO of Fosun Watch Group, said, "We expect sales generated from this year's exhibition to exceed HK$1 million. Hong Kong is also a very important market for us. Following the encouraging response to the opening of our first store in Tsim Sha Tsui earlier this year, 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. Katarina Halvorssen of MicroMilspec, a Norwegian debutant, said, "More than 170 visitors came to our booth on the first day alone, including customers from Hong Kong, India, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates. We estimate potential sales of around US$29,000."
Michael Jappert, Global Sales Director of WOLF 1834, Limited, which launched Rocket, the world's most compact travel watch winder, 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." The Swiss Independent Watchmakers Pavilion (SIWP) grew from 10 to 14 brands, with Founder Amarildo Pilo noting connections with buyers from Kazakhstan and the Chinese Mainland. LINK2CARE, in collaboration with Swiss brand MARVIN, launched a luxury smartwatch with concealed biometric sensors. Paul Yuen, Director of Dayton Industrial Co. Ltd, said, "Our watches, priced at over HK$2,000, sold more than 100 units on the first day alone." Abel Hwong, Publisher of World of Luxury Times, led a 26-member delegation and purchased 12 watches exceeding HK$100,000, noting that the fair "lets collectors interact directly with brands and buy the timepieces they want."
The fair's success reinforces Hong Kong's position as a global trading platform, attracting opportunities while helping Chinese Mainland and international enterprises expand overseas. HKTDC will organise a series of autumn trade fairs, 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.
