The 45th Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the 14th Salon de TIME, 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, concluded on September 5, 2026. The event attracted over 17,000 trade buyers from 115 countries and regions, underscoring Hong Kong's continued significance as the world's largest one-stop watch and clock marketplace.
Buyers from outside Hong Kong primarily came from the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, India, Japan, Russia, and the US, as well as ASEAN countries. Notably, buyer attendance from North America, ASEAN, and Latin America saw significant growth, reflecting Hong Kong's pivotal role as an international trading center and premier sourcing hub for the global watch and clock industry in Asia.
Salon de TIME, held concurrently with fashion event CENTRESTAGE, was open to the public with free admission, attracting over 20,000 public visits. The combined events showcased the latest products from more than 400 watch and fashion brands, providing a vibrant platform for industry engagement.
HKTDC Associate Executive Director Smilely Lam highlighted the fair's role in connecting the entire value chain. "As the world's largest one-stop watch and clock marketplace, the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TIME connect the entire value chain spanning manufacturing, sourcing and brand promotion, bringing together brands, watchmakers, suppliers, retailers, collectors, watch media and enthusiasts from around the world to create a comprehensive industry ecosystem," she said. Lam also noted that Salon de TIME attracted more than 150 brands from across the globe, achieving a record scale. The Microbrands zone doubled its exhibitor count compared to last year, indicating strong market demand for microbrands and Guochao-inspired designs.
A survey conducted by HKTDC among around 890 exhibitors and buyers revealed optimistic outlooks: 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 growth prospects. In 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., representing the Hengyang, Hunan pavilion, noted connections with potential buyers from India, Italy, and Malaysia, including an Italian buyer interested in purchasing 2,000 watches. She expects sales during the five-day fair to exceed US$3 million, leveraging HKTDC's international network to bring Chinese cultural elements to overseas markets.
Chauncey Chiu, Senior Sales Manager at Peacock Watch (Group) Co., Ltd., highlighted the fair's role in expanding into Europe and the US, making new connections with customers from Kuwait and Mexico. He secured orders daily and expects total sales to exceed RMB10 million.
Nabil Dabaan, CEO of Jovial, a watch wholesaler from the UAE, expects to source approximately US$1 million worth of watch components from nine suppliers, including two newly identified ones, plus US$250,000 in packaging and display materials.
CN Innovations Limited, a participant since the fair's inception, celebrated the 45th edition by showcasing 3D-printed titanium watches. Business Development Director SK Chong emphasized the fair's evolution from a transaction-driven venue to a strategic platform for industry exchange and market promotion.
At Salon de TIME, several exhibitors showcased Guochao-inspired watches. Sun International Concepts Ltd. presented five Chinese Mainland brands, including creations by AHCI members Xushu Ma, Zehua Tan, and Lin Yonghua. Executive Director David Sun reported 17 enquiries for bespoke timepieces, including eight from overseas markets, generating customised orders totaling HK$4 million.
Sea-Gull Watch and Shanghai Watch, under Fosun Watch Group, held product launches during the fair. CEO George Xu noted engagements with customers from India, the Middle East, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, with expected sales exceeding HK$1 million. Xu also mentioned that a Turkish client met at last year's fair is now opening a retail store in Turkey, and plans for a flagship store in Central Hong Kong following the fair.
The Microbrands zone featured 29 brands from eight countries, more than double last year's number. Debutant MicroMilspec from Norway attracted over 170 visitors on the first day, with potential sales around US$29,000. Katarina Halvorssen, CRM & Sales Manager, described the fair as a gateway to the Asian market.
Returning exhibitor Watchcatavlog from Hong Kong showcased 10 microbrands. Founder Ciff Luk expects sales to reach HK$280,000, with visitor inquiries up 20% year-on-year and interest from buyers in Brazil, Canada, India, Kuwait, the Philippines, Singapore, and the US.
UK-based WOLF, a luxury watch storage brand, debuted at the fair and launched the Rocket, the world's most compact travel watch winder. Global Sales Director Michael Jappert used HKTDC's Click2Match platform to connect with around 40 potential buyers from markets including the Chinese Mainland, Dubai, Japan, Korea, the Middle East, and the US.
Amarildo Pilo, Owner of PILO & CO SA and Founder of the Swiss Independent Watchmakers Pavilion (SIWP), noted the fair's international reach, meeting more than 10 clients including three new contacts from Kazakhstan. The SIWP Pavilion grew from 10 brands to 14 this year, reflecting the platform's value for Swiss independent brands.
LINK2CARE, in collaboration with Swiss brand MARVIN, launched a luxury smartwatch with biometric sensors. Director Paul Yuen of Dayton Industrial Co. Ltd. reported that watches priced over HK$2,000 sold more than 100 units on the first day, and the fair facilitated a cross-industry partnership with a tour guide for wellness tourism.
Abel Hwong, Publisher & Anchor of World of Luxury Times, led a 26-member delegation and purchased 12 watches from three brands, totaling over HK$100,000, highlighting the fair's role in converting collecting enthusiasm into real purchases.
The HKTDC will organize a series of autumn trade fairs, including the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) and electronicAsia from 13-16 October, and the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) from 27-30 October, all adopting the EXHIBITION+ hybrid format to facilitate continued online business discussions.
