Some 16,000 trade buyers from 95 countries and regions flocked to the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TIME fairs which concluded in physical fair format on 6 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Buyers from outside Hong Kong mainly came from Mainland China, India, Japan Taiwan, the US, and ASEAN countries - including Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand - highlighting Hong Kong's pivotal role as a key global transshipment hub and sales centre for watches and clocks.
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, the two fairs are annual highlights on the industry calendar and brought together over 650 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions, including pavilions from Guangzhou, Taiwan and the Swiss Independent Watchmakers.
HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong remarked: “The number of brands at Salon de TIME reached a new post-pandemic high. Many exhibitors used the platform to launch innovative products showcasing exquisite craftsmanship, serving as a springboard for entering international and mainland markets. This underscores Hong Kong's vitality as a global hub for commerce and creativity.”
Among the standout innovations was the Watch2Care TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) smart watch from Hong Kong exhibitor Dayton Industrial which featured digital pulse analysis with TCM reports. Director Paul Yuen shared that they had found potential distributors from Mainland China, Germany, Singapore and the US and lined up potential collaborations with a Swiss watch movement company and a buyer from Myanmar.
Also attracting strong buyer interest was a new eco-friendly watch with a dial made from recycled tea leaves from German brand Lilienthal Berlin. The company had previously introduced the world's first wristwatch case made from recycled coffee grounds at last year’s Salon de TIME. Director Ruby Young said the new watch had garnered media attention, and the company is in talks with buyers from Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mainland China, the UAE, and the US.
Salon de TIME also spotlighted a series of Guochao (Chinese aesthetics) watches, with exhibitor Sun International Concepts drawing strong public and industry enthusiasm, leading it to secure several ASEAN distributors and project six-figure on-site sales, up 10% from last year.
During the exhibition, the HKTDC surveyed exhibitors and buyers on-site to understand industry and product trends.
The survey results show that 59% of respondents expect overall sales to grow in the next 12 to 24 months, while 36% anticipate that sales will remain stable.
Respondents considered growth prospects in the Middle East (82%), Taiwan (79%), Korea (78%), Latin America (76%), Australia (76%), and ASEAN countries (73%) to be promising or very promising in the next two years.
Regarding product trends, 47% of respondents consider smart watches to have the most significant growth potential, followed by fashion watches (30%) and casual watches (26%).
A lively business atmosphere prevailed throughout the five day event. Saat ve Saat, which has over 160 points of sale in Türkiye, returned to the fairs this year and revealed it had procured automatic mechanical watches worth US$1 million from a Hong Kong exhibitor.
Unique niche brands offering watches that are both stylish yet affordable were featured in a special “Microbrands” zone. First-time exhibitor and YouTube channel Watchcatavlog exhibited four microbrands and met buyers from Canada, Taiwan, and the UAE regarding distributor collaborations.
For the second year in a row, Salon de TIME was open to the public for free. Watch enthusiasts Jovi Ha, CK Hung, and Ricky Tsang spent nearly HK$100,000 on branded timepieces and praised the event’s craftsmanship, diverse products and direct access to independent makers.
To facilitate ongoing business opportunities, the Click2Match AI-driven matching platform will remain active until 13 September, allowing exhibitors and buyers to continue discussions beyond the fair.