This year’s Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TIME are expected to attract more than 650 exhibitors, showcasing the latest timepieces, trends, styles and innovations.
The two globally renowned fairs, providing a one-stop sourcing platform for buyers, will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) on 2-6 September.
Buyers and exhibitors can already connect through the Click2Match smart business matching platform, which will remain open until 13 September.
Exhibitors from 15 countries and regions from around the world, including pavilions from France and Switzerland as well as from Guangzhou and Taiwan, are lined up to attend this year’s timepiece fairs.
Salon de TIME, which focuses on the luxury market, will present more than 140 global brands, a post-pandemic high.
“This high level of international representation underscores Hong Kong’s advantage as an international business platform,” remarks Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
The Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TIME are jointly organised by the HKTDC, the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Limited and Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Limited.
Forums, seminars, parades
The fairs will also stage more than 35 events, including forums, seminars and watch parades.
Industry professionals can gather insights on the latest regional trade data and industry trends, as well as global supply chain strategies, at The Hong Kong International Watch Forum, which will take place on 2 September.
Attendees can also hear about the latest market developments from a senior analyst at international market research firm Euromonitor at The Asian Watch Conference, which will take place on 3 September.
The Conference, which is themed ‘Redefining Eternity: Trends, Values, and Visions in Watchmaking’, will also feature a session on independent watchmaking and limited-edition watches produced by independent watchmakers known as microbrands.
Two events spotlighting Chinese trends are also taking place on 3 September: Chinese Watchmaking 70th Anniversary: Panel Discussion and Watch Preview, organised by Fosun Watch Group; and To the Stars and Beyond: The Chinese Independent Watchmaking.
The Hong Kong Watch & Clock Design Competition is also returning to promote watch design and nurture local creativity.
The competition has two main categories: an open group, which has adopted ‘Memorable’ as this year’s theme; and a student group, which is themed ‘Believe in Yourself’.
A Made-to-Sell Award recognises student work with significant market potential.
The winning and shortlisted designs from the competition will be on display during the fair, with the award ceremony taking place on 6 September.
Export optimism prevails
Salon de TIME will also host special events and presentations, including a demonstration by Hong Kong metal engraving artist Carlos Koo on 5 September.
Smart Bidding is returning, setting exclusive starting prices for attendees to bid on their preferred watches. A daily lucky draw will include luxurious watches as prizes.
Additionally, fashion extravaganza CENTRESTAGE – also organised by the HTKDC -–will be held on 3-6 September at the HKCEC, bringing together fashion brands and designer collections from around the world.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest products from some 400 watch and fashion brands.
According to the latest data, Hong Kong is the world's second-largest hub for watch imports and exports.
The total export value in the first seven months of this year was ~HK$28.2 billion (US$3.6 billion).
Export values to some markets saw sizable year-on-year increases, including to Brazil (+65%), France (+57%), Germany (+15%) and India (+35%).
Additionally, the HKTDC Export Confidence Index for Timepieces rose from 51.2 to 52.1 in the second quarter of this year, reflecting industry optimism about the export outlook.