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. Over the five-day fair, more than 17,000 trade buyers from 115 countries and regions attended to source watch and clock products. The Click2Match smart business matching platform remains open until 12 September, allowing exhibitors and buyers worldwide to continue their business discussions online.
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. They 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.
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 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: "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, Peacock Watch (Group) Co., Ltd., noted: "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."
CN Innovations Limited, which has participated every Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair since the beginning, showcased 3D-printed titanium watches. SK Chong, Business Development Director, said: "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 and R&D achievements." At Salon de TIME, several exhibitors showcased watches inspired by the Guochao trend. David Sun, Executive Director of Sun International Concepts Ltd., reported receiving 17 enquiries for bespoke timepieces, including eight from overseas, generating customised watch orders totalling HK$4 million.
George Xu, CEO, Fosun Watch Group, said: "The two brands have engaged with customers from markets including India, the Middle East, Russia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. We expect sales generated from this year's exhibition to exceed HK$1 million." The Microbrands zone attracted 29 brands from eight countries and regions this year. Katarina Halvorssen, Sales Manager of MicroMilspec, 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." Ciff Luk, Founder of Watchcatavlog, said: "We expect sales to reach HK$280,000. Visitor inquiries have increased 20% year-on-year, and we have attracted interest from buyers in Brazil, Canada, India, Kuwait, the Philippines, Singapore, and the US."
WOLF, the luxury watch storage and winder brand from the UK, made its debut and launched Rocket, the world's most compact travel watch winder. Michael Jappert, Global Sales Director, said: "Through HKTDC's Click2Match business matching 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, 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." Paul Yuen, Director of Dayton Industrial Co. Ltd, noted: "Our watches, priced at over HK$2,000, sold more than 100 units on the first day alone, requiring immediate stock replenishment." Abel Hwong, Publisher & Anchor of World of Luxury Times, led a 26-member delegation and purchased 12 watches from three brands, with a total value exceeding HK$100,000.
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 fairs will adopt the EXHIBITION+ hybrid format, enabling global buyers and exhibitors to continue business discussions online after the physical exhibitions.
