The Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2026 and Salon de TIME attracted more than 17,000 trade buyers from 115 countries and regions, connecting watch manufacturers, component suppliers and international brands with sourcing and distribution partners from around the world.
The five-day events concluded on September 5 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. International buyer attendance was led by mainland China, Taiwan, India, Japan, Russia, the United States and ASEAN markets including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.
Buyer participation from North America, ASEAN and Latin America recorded significant growth, according to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
The results follow a five-day exhibition featuring more than 630 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions. ChinaExpoHub previously covered the participating brands, product zones and industry programme in its Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2026 opening report.
International Buyers Generate Orders and Supplier Enquiries
Exhibitors reported orders and potential transactions across finished watches, components, packaging and bespoke timepieces.
Nanyue Watches from Hengyang connected with buyers from India, Italy and Malaysia, including an Italian customer interested in purchasing 2,000 watches. The company estimated that sales generated through the fair could exceed US$3 million.
Chinese watchmaker Peacock Watch secured orders throughout the exhibition and expected its total fair-related sales to exceed RMB10 million. The company also established new customer contacts in Kuwait and Mexico as it seeks further expansion in Europe, the United States and other international markets.
A watch wholesaler and retailer from the United Arab Emirates planned to source approximately US$1 million in watch components from nine suppliers, including two newly identified at the fair. The buyer also intended to purchase around US$250,000 in packaging boxes, bags and display materials.
These transactions demonstrate the event’s coverage of the full watch-industry value chain, from movements, cases and manufacturing services to finished timepieces, branding and retail presentation. Buyers can review the fair’s main sourcing categories through the official Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair website.
Microbrands and Chinese Watchmakers Attract Global Interest
The Microbrands zone featured 29 brands from eight countries and regions, more than twice the number recorded in 2025. The expansion reflected increased buyer interest in independent labels, distinctive designs and brands with clearly defined stories.
Norwegian brand MicroMilspec received more than 170 visitors at its booth on the opening day, including buyers from Hong Kong, India, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates. The company estimated potential sales of approximately US$29,000 from its first participation.
Hong Kong platform Watchcatavlog presented 10 microbrands and reported a 20% year-on-year increase in enquiries, with buyer interest coming from Brazil, Canada, India, Kuwait, the Philippines, Singapore and the United States.
Chinese watchmakers also used the exhibition to expand their overseas distribution. Brands represented at Salon de TIME included Sea-Gull Watch, Shanghai Watch, FIYTA and independent watchmakers associated with the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants.
A distributor presenting Chinese independent watchmakers received 17 enquiries for bespoke timepieces and reported customized orders worth HK$4 million. Sea-Gull Watch and Shanghai Watch, meanwhile, engaged customers from India, the Middle East, Russia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The Salon de TIME brand showcase reached a record scale of more than 150 participating brands and combined trade meetings with product launches, collector engagement and public retail sales.
Survey Identifies Growth Markets and Product Trends
An HKTDC survey of approximately 890 exhibitors and buyers found that 50% expected overall watch and clock sales to increase during the next 12 to 24 months. A further 43% expected sales to remain stable.
Respondents identified several markets as promising or very promising for industry growth over the coming two years:
- Latin America: 68%
- South Korea: 67%
- Middle East: 64%
- Australia: 64%
- South Africa: 64%
In product terms, fashion watches were regarded as offering the greatest growth potential by 37% of respondents. Smartwatches followed at 30%, while 26% selected casual watches.
The findings were visible across the exhibition floor. Products included Guochao-inspired Chinese watches, independent mechanical timepieces, 3D-printed titanium watches, wearable health technology and collaborations combining watchmaking with fashion, culture and tourism.
The growing interest in microbrands and culturally distinctive designs suggests that buyers are increasingly looking beyond established luxury names towards products that offer differentiation, personalization and stronger brand narratives.
Online Matchmaking Extends Business Beyond the Fair
Although the physical exhibition has ended, HKTDC’s Click2Match platform remains open until September 12. The service allows buyers and exhibitors to schedule meetings, exchange information and continue commercial discussions online through the organizer’s EXHIBITION+ platform.
UK watch-storage specialist WOLF used Click2Match to connect with approximately 40 potential buyers from mainland China, Hong Kong, Dubai, Japan, South Korea, the Middle East and the United States.
The fair was held concurrently with CENTRESTAGE 2026, creating opportunities for visitors to explore watches, accessories and designer fashion during the same Hong Kong sourcing trip. Salon de TIME and CENTRESTAGE together recorded more than 20,000 public visits and showcased products from over 400 watch and fashion brands.
The combination of international buyer growth, reported orders and extended online matchmaking reinforces Hong Kong’s continuing role as a sourcing and distribution platform for the global watch industry.
Source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TIME.
