Hong Kong Watch Fairs Conclude with Strong Buyer Turnout and Optimistic Market Outlook

The 44th HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the 13th 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, successfully concluded after attracting approximately 16,000 trade buyers from 95 countries and regions. Buyers from outside Hong Kong primarily originated from Mainland China, Taiwan, India, Japan, the United States, and ASEAN countries including Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a global transshipment hub and sales center for watches.

A survey conducted during the exhibition, which interviewed around 920 exhibitors and buyers, revealed that 59% of respondents expect overall sales to grow over the next 12 to 24 months, while 36% anticipate stable sales. Key target markets viewed with optimism include the Middle East (82%), Taiwan (79%), Korea (78%), Latin America (76%), Australia (76%), and ASEAN countries (73%). In terms of product trends, 47% of respondents identified smart watches as having the most significant growth potential, followed by fashion watches (30%) and casual watches (26%).

Salon de TIME, open to the public for free for the second consecutive year, alongside CENTRESTAGE, drew over 19,000 public visitors, with around 400 watch and fashion brands showcased. HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong highlighted that the events featured pavilions from Guangzhou, Taiwan, the Swiss Independent Watchmakers Pavilion (SIWP), and the French pavilion by Francéclat, with exhibitors returning from Germany, Japan, Lebanon, and the Netherlands. The number of brands at Salon de TIME reached a post-pandemic high, serving as a platform for launching innovative products and entering international and mainland markets.

Notable business outcomes included Saat ve Saat from Turkiye, with over 160 points of sale, procuring automatic mechanical watches from Hong Kong exhibitor Dailywin Watch Products Mfg Ltd through the Click2Match AI-driven business matching platform, with an expected annual order value of US$1 million. Su & Co Trading Company from Myanmar purchased US$600,000 worth of branded watches and identified new brands for the Myanmar market, including a sole distributor agreement with Mathey Tissot from the SIWP. Hong Kong exhibitor Dayton Industrial launched the Watch2Care TCM smart watch, featuring digital pulsation analysis with Traditional Chinese Medicine reports, attracting potential distributors from Germany, Mainland China, Singapore, and the US, and aiming for on-site sales of HK$1.5 million.

Innovations were showcased by German brand Lilienthal Berlin, which introduced a new eco-friendly watch with a dial made from recycled tea leaves, following last year's model with a case from recycled coffee grounds. This attracted global buyers and potential distributors from Bangladesh and Israel. Salon de TIME also featured "Guochao" series watches, with Sun International Concepts presenting six renowned brands from Mainland China, including works by independent watchmakers Ma Xushu, Tan Zehua, Qian Guobiao, and Gong Xun, leading to exclusive distributors for the ASEAN market and projected on-site sales reaching six figures, a 10% increase from last year. The Microbrands zone highlighted unique niche brands, with first-time exhibitor Watchcatavlog engaging in distributor discussions with buyers from Canada, Taiwan, and the UAE.

The Click2Match platform remains open until September 13, allowing continued business discussions. Upcoming HKTDC exhibitions include the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) and electronicAsia from October 13 to 16, the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) from October 27 to 30, and the Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo from October 28 to 31, all adopting the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model.