The 45th Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the 14th Salon de TIME concluded successfully, attracting over 17,000 trade buyers from 115 countries and regions. The event, jointly organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Limited, and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Limited, underscored Hong Kong's pivotal role as an international trading centre and premier sourcing hub for the global watch and clock industry. The Click2Match smart business matching platform will remain open until 12 September to facilitate continued online business discussions.
Buyer attendance from North America, ASEAN, and Latin America recorded significant growth, reflecting the industry's global reach. Salon de TIME, which was free to the public, together with CENTRESTAGE (held concurrently), attracted over 20,000 public visits, showcasing products from more than 400 watch and fashion brands.
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 over 150 brands, achieving a record scale, and the Microbrands zone doubled its exhibitor count. Lam noted strong market demand for microbrands, Guochao-inspired watches, and cross-industry collaborations, reflecting consumers' growing appreciation for personalized designs and compelling brand stories.
A survey conducted by HKTDC during the fair, which interviewed around 890 exhibitors and buyers, found that 50% of respondents expect overall sales to increase over the next 12 to 24 months, while 43% anticipate stable sales. Respondents identified Latin America (68%), Korea (67%), the Middle East (64%), Australia (64%), and South Africa (64%) as markets with promising or very promising growth prospects. In terms of 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., noted connections with potential buyers from India, Italy, and Malaysia, including an Italian buyer interested in purchasing 2,000 watches, with expected sales exceeding US$3 million. Chauncey Chiu, Senior Sales Manager at Peacock Watch (Group) Co., Ltd., said the fair helped them expand into overseas markets, securing orders daily and expecting total sales to exceed RMB10 million.
Nabil Dabaan, CEO of Jovial from the UAE, expected to source approximately US$1 million worth of watch components and US$250,000 in packaging materials. SK Chong, Business Development Director of CN Innovation Limited, which has participated in every edition of the fair, emphasized its evolution from a transaction-driven trade venue to a strategic platform for industry exchange and market promotion.
Salon de TIME showcased Guochao-inspired watches, with Sun International Concepts Ltd. presenting brands by Chinese AHCI members. Executive Director David Sun received 17 enquiries for bespoke timepieces, generating customised orders totalling HK$4 million. Fosun Watch Group CEO George Xu highlighted the fair's role in expanding into overseas markets, with sales expected to exceed HK$1 million, and plans to open a flagship store in Central after the fair.
The Microbrands zone featured 29 brands from eight countries, including debutant MicroMilspec from Norway, which estimated potential sales of US$29,000. Returning exhibitor Watchcatavlog from Hong Kong expected sales of HK$280,000, with increased visitor inquiries and interest from buyers worldwide. WOLF, a UK luxury watch winder brand, debuted at the fair and launched the world's most compact travel watch winder, connecting with around 40 potential buyers via Click2Match.
Swiss Independent Watchmakers Pavilion founder Amarildo Pilo noted the fair's international reach, meeting clients from Asia, the Middle East, and the US, and growing the pavilion from 10 to 14 brands. LINK2CARE, in collaboration with MARVIN, launched a luxury smartwatch with medical-grade sensors, and Dayton Industrial Co. Ltd sold over 100 units of watches priced above HK$2,000 on the first day. The fair also facilitated purchases by delegations, with World of Luxury Times leading a 26-member group that bought 12 watches worth over HK$100,000.
The fair's success reinforces Hong Kong's position as a vital trading platform, connecting global opportunities and helping mainland Chinese enterprises expand overseas. HKTDC will continue its series of trade fairs this autumn, including the Hong Kong Electronics Fair and electronicAsia in October, adopting the EXHIBITION+ hybrid format to extend business opportunities online.
