More than 17,000 buyers from 115 countries and regions gathered in Hong Kong for the 45th Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and 14th Salon de TIME, reaffirming the city's role as a leading international trading and sourcing hub for the global watch industry.
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries, the twin fairs concluded on 6 September after five days of vibrant networking, product launches and sourcing. Buyers from key markets including the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, India, Japan, Russia and the United States actively placed orders on-site, alongside sourcing contingents from ASEAN economies such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.
Showcasing over 400 watch and fashion brands, Salon de TIME welcomed members of the public and, together with the concurrent fashion event CENTRESTAGE, attracted more than 20,000 visits.
Innovation and trends on show
Innovation and craftsmanship were on display throughout the fair. Veteran exhibitor CN Innovations showcased 3D-printed titanium watches, while Sea-Gull Watch and Shanghai Watch unveiled new products and technologies. Fosun Watch Group, the owner of the two brands, revealed it will soon open a store in Türkiye based on a connection made at last year’s event.
Notable product launches included a luxury smartwatch integrating biometric monitoring developed by LINK2CARE and Swiss brand MARVIN. UK watch storage specialist WOLF also unveiled Rocket, described as the world's most compact travel watch winder.
The rising "Guochao" trend, which blends contemporary design with Chinese cultural heritage, also took drew attention. Sun International Concepts presented creations from acclaimed Chinese watchmakers, highlighting how traditional craftsmanship and cultural storytelling are resonating with new consumers worldwide.
The fair also showcased the winners of the 43rd Hong Kong Watch & Clock Design Competition, which attracted 130 entries. In the Open Group, top honours went to Chan Pak Hei and Yang Tianxu for their Tectonic Indeterminacy watch inspired by the geometric forms of pebbles. The Student Group category was won by Hong Kong Design Institute student Christine Yip Yuen Sze for a design inspired by satellite images of storm clouds and lightning. Her timepiece also received the Made-to-Sell Award and will be brought to market through Design Gallery, HKTDC's online store.
Strong business outcomes
International participation remained a defining feature of the fairs. The Swiss Independent Watchmakers Pavilion expanded from 10 brands to 14 this year, while the enlarged Microbrands zone attracted 29 brands from eight countries and regions, including Norwegian watchmaker MicroMilspec which is eyeing expansion into Asian markets.
Beyond showcasing new products, the fairs linked manufacturers, suppliers, brands and buyers from around the world. HKTDC Associate Executive Director Smiley Lam noted that the events create opportunities for international companies to develop partnerships while helping Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland enterprises reach overseas markets.
Exhibitors reported strong results. Nanyue Watches from Hunan Province expected sales to exceed US$3 million (HK$23.5 million), while Peacock Watch projected sales of more than RMB10 million (HK$11 million) after securing orders in markets including Kuwait and Mexico.
International buyers were equally active. One UAE buyer planned to source around US$1 million (HK$7.8 million) worth of watch components from suppliers identified at the fair. Exhibitors also praised HKTDC's Click2Match platform for generating targeted business opportunities.
Industry optimism
Beyond deals, the event also offered a glimpse into the industry’s future direction. A HKTDC survey of around 890 exhibitors and buyers found growing interest in personalised designs, culturally inspired products and independent brands. Fashion watches were identified as having the strongest growth potential over the next two years, followed by smart watches and casual watches.
Industry sentiment was upbeat. Half of respondents expected sales to increase over the next 12 to 24 months, while 43% anticipated stable performance. Latin America emerged as the most promising growth market, followed by Korea, the Middle East, Australia and South Africa, pointing to continued confidence in global demand.