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, and the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries, will take place from September 1 to 5 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Under the theme “Sparkling Moments Through Time,” the fairs are expected to attract over 630 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions, showcasing a wide range of watches, clocks, and related products.
The fairs serve as a key platform for the global watch industry, leveraging Hong Kong’s status as an international trading hub and Asia’s premier sourcing center for watches and clocks. The Click2Match AI-powered business matching platform has been available since August 25 and will remain open until September 12, facilitating online business discussions for exhibitors and buyers beyond the physical event.
45th Edition Highlights and International Expansion
This year marks the 45th edition of the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair, with a more international and diverse line-up. For the first time, a pavilion from Hengyang, Hunan Province, will join group pavilions from France, Switzerland, Guangzhou, and Taiwan. New exhibitors from Norway, Singapore, and the US are also participating, strengthening the fair’s global profile.
Salon de TIME is expected to feature over 150 global brands, reaching a new post-pandemic high. Participation from Hong Kong brands and Guochao-inspired brands has increased by more than 20%, with new brands from Italy, the UK, and the US, alongside the debut of Singaporean brands. This reflects Hong Kong’s unique role as a bridge connecting the Chinese mainland with international markets.
Hong Kong’s Watch Trade Performance and Export Outlook
According to the latest trade statistics, Hong Kong is the world’s largest importer and second largest exporter of wristwatches. In the first seven months of this year, the total export value of watches reached approximately HK$30.5 billion, a 7.8% year-on-year increase. Several export markets recorded double-digit growth, including Germany (+21%), Switzerland (+25%), and the United Arab Emirates (+91%). The watch industry’s export confidence index rose from 50.4 to 51.9 in the second quarter, indicating a cautiously optimistic outlook.
Salon de TIME: Themed Zones and Microbrand Growth
Located in Hall 3FG, Salon de TIME features six themed zones: World Brand Piazza, Chic & Trendy, Craft Treasure, Renaissance Moment, Wearable Tech, and Microbrands. The Microbrands zone has attracted 29 brands from eight countries and regions, with participation doubling compared to last year. This growth highlights the increasing diversity and innovation in the watch industry.
The World Brand Piazza, organized in partnership with Prince Jewellery & Watch for the 16th consecutive year, will showcase limited-edition and rare timepieces from prestigious brands such as Baume & Mercier, Corum, DeWitt, Franck Muller, Montblanc, and Sarcar. Highlights include a Franck Muller ladies’ watch created in collaboration with French street artist Jisbar, and a unique platinum Medusa timepiece by Sarcar set with 228 diamonds.
Guochao Timepieces and Chinese Watchmaking Strength
Designs incorporating traditional Chinese cultural elements have gained strong market appeal. This year, Salon de TIME brings together five leading independent watchmakers from the Chinese mainland, including three members of the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI), one of the most prestigious independent watchmaking institutions. This rare line-up includes Xushu Ma, the first mainland Chinese watchmaker admitted to AHCI, along with Zehua Tan and Lin Yong Hua.
Guochao-inspired brands will also showcase their creations. Chinese watchmaker Qian Guobiao will present the limited-edition AB-05S “Skylight Sun,” restricted to 18 pieces worldwide, featuring a self-developed manual-winding movement. Shanghai Watch will present the ORIGINATE Collection A623 Revival Watch, a modern recreation of China’s first calendar watch, modeled after the original worn by Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the People’s Republic of China. The brand will also unveil a Hong Kong Exclusive Edition with interchangeable straps inspired by Premier Zhou’s Zhongshan suits.
Award-Winning Innovations and Collaborations
The fairs will feature award-winning timepieces, highlighting technical excellence and design innovation. AGELOCER’s 29.51-Day MoonPhase Original Astronomer, with an industry-first 28.5mm oversized moon phase aperture, has earned nine international design awards. Singaporean brand Vario will debut the VERSA Reversible Dual Time Watch, which won the 2025 iF Design Award for its innovative reversible case design.
Collaborative and limited-edition timepieces will also be showcased. LINK2CARE has partnered with Swiss brand MARVIN to launch a luxury smartwatch with a patented leather strap concealing medical-grade vital sensors. The Swiss Independent Watchmakers Pavilion and France’s Francéclat will bring together around 80 European brands, including Pilo & Co Genève’s Corleone Mini Collection, celebrating the brand’s 25th anniversary with each color variant limited to 10 pieces.
Time Tunnel and Industry Insights
To celebrate the 45th edition, organizers will present a special “Time Tunnel” exhibition, tracing the fair’s evolution since 1982. It will cover three key stages: the fair’s establishment as a global sourcing platform in the 1980s-1990s, the transformation of Hong Kong’s watch industry from OEM to brand development in 2000-2020, and the fair’s expansion into a multifaceted platform integrating craftsmanship, design, technology, lifestyle, and culture from 2020 to the present.
More than 40 events, including forums, seminars, and watch parades, will provide industry professionals with insights into emerging global watch industry trends and business opportunities. The fairs underscore Hong Kong’s pivotal role in the global watch trade, connecting Chinese mainland manufacturers with international markets.
