The 44th Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and 13th Salon de TIME concluded successfully, attracting approximately 16,000 trade buyers from 95 countries and regions. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in collaboration with industry associations, the physical fairs highlighted Hong Kong's role as a global watch trading hub while the Click2Match platform extends business opportunities until September 13.
A survey conducted during the event with 920 exhibitors and buyers revealed significant optimism about market prospects. Fifty-nine percent of respondents anticipate sales growth over the next 12-24 months, with particular confidence in the Middle East (82%), Taiwan (79%), Korea (78%), Latin America (76%), Australia (76%), and ASEAN countries (73%). Product-wise, 47% identified smart watches as having the most growth potential, followed by fashion watches (30%) and casual watches (26%).
Notable business outcomes emerged from the fairs. Turkish retailer Saat ve Saat secured a $1 million annual order for automatic mechanical watches from Hong Kong exhibitor Dailywin Watch Products Mfg Ltd through the business matching platform. Myanmar's Su & Co Trading Company purchased $600,000 worth of branded watches and identified new brands for market introduction, including a distribution agreement with Swiss brand Mathey Tissot.
Innovation was prominently featured, with Hong Kong exhibitor Dayton Industrial launching the Watch2Care TCM smart watch featuring Traditional Chinese Medicine health monitoring capabilities. The company reported interest from distributors in Germany, Mainland China, Singapore, and the United States, targeting HK$1.5 million in on-site sales. German brand Lilienthal Berlin introduced an eco-friendly watch with a dial made from recycled tea leaves, attracting global buyers and securing distribution discussions with multiple countries.
The events also showcased emerging trends, including the "Guochao" series featuring mainland Chinese watchmakers and the Microbrands zone highlighting affordable, stylish niche brands. Public accessibility remained a focus, with Salon de TIME free to visitors for the second consecutive year, attracting over 19,000 public attendees who combined watch purchases with the concurrent CENTRESTAGE fashion event.
The successful fairs underscore the watch industry's recovery and adaptation to changing market dynamics, with hybrid models like EXHIBITION+ enabling continued global engagement. The identified market opportunities and product trends provide valuable insights for industry stakeholders navigating post-pandemic business landscapes.
