World’s Largest Watch & Clock Fair Opens Next Tuesday

30 August 2016 – Organised by Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd and the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades and Industries Ltd, the 35^th HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair will be held from 6 to 10 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The fair will feature more than 800 exhibitors from 27 countries and regions, making it the world’s largest marketplace of its kind. A highlight of the fair, Salon de TE, will open to the public aged 12 and above for free on the fair’s last day (10 September).

Sophia Chong, Assistant Executive Director, HKTDC, said that Hong Kong is the world’s second-largest exporter of watches and clocks, with exports in the first seven months of 2016 reaching HK$38.4 billion. The three major export markets are Switzerland (HK$6.38 billion), the Chinese mainland (HK$6.36 billion) and the United States (HK$5.9 billion), accounting for close to half of Hong Kong’s total watch exports. Hong Kong watch and clock companies largely rely on OEM business, but many have started developing ODM capability and even OBM business to move up the value chain. The companies are developing locally designed mechanical movement while manufacturers have increased investment in modern production technology to enhance quality and productivity.

World-class Designs at Salon de TE
To match market demand, Salon de TE comprises five thematic zones, showcasing a range of premium watch brands and unique designs. Salon de TE this year will feature nearly 150 international brands in the following zones: World Brand Piazza, Renaissance Moment, Chic & Trendy, Craft Treasure and Wearable Tech.

The World Brand Piazza gathers masterpieces from 13 renowned international brands, including Blancpain, BOVET, Breguet, BVLGARI, Chopard, CORUM, DeWitt, FRANCK MULLER, Glashütte Original, H Moser & Cie, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Piaget and Zenith. Valued at HK$1.91 million, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso Cordonnet Duetto features a double-dial design with a single movement driving both dials on the front and the back to show time, with lapis lazuli set on one side and mother-of-pearl on the other. Piaget will showcase the world’s slimmest Altiplano jewellery watch, valued at HK$1.4 million. Set with 259 pieces of round diamond and 11 black sapphires, with a three-millimetre movement, the piece reflects exquisite craftsmanship.

Renaissance Moment will present European watches in various styles. The Swiss brand Boegli will showcase its Grand Opera series Boegli musical watches, which are equipped with a musical module and mechanical movement capable of producing 17 notes. With buttons to control the music, each watch in the series can play classical music by Chopin, Mozart and Beethoven. Only 99 pieces are available for this limited edition watch.

Craft Treasure will showcase high-end functional mechanical watches and jewellery watches. Among them is Memorigin’s Marco Fu watch series. To celebrate Hong Kong snooker champion Marco Fu, three black diamonds are set at the 1, 4 and 7 dial markers, representing Mr Fu’s 147-point scoring record. The Chic & Trendy zone will gather a variety of trendy and fashionable watches. The French brand AKTEO will showcase a finance-themed watch, in which the hour hand shows the Wall Street Journal, the minute hand a US bank note, and the second hand a 999.9 gold bar.

This year, the new “OEM Smart Watches” zone will debut at the fair. Featured items will include Montrichard (HK) Ltd’s smart watch Chronologia, which is capable of dual-time display and alarm, and can be connected to a smart phone to display lost-phone notification, SMS and fitness tips.

Watching the world
More than 30 events, including watch parades, product launches, seminars and networking events will be organised to help industry players connect and share market information. Celebrities and artists will also take part in product launches, including Karena Ng, Wong You-nam, Ma Wing-shing and Marco Fu. The Hong Kong International Watch Forum, on 6 September, will gather industry elites to examine challenges and opportunities ahead, while the Asian Watch Conference (7 September), will forecast developing trends related to the smart wearable tech sector and the Internet.

On Public Day (10 September), visitors can enjoy a series of watch parades, sharing sessions, a tourbillon craftsmanship demonstration and lucky draws. Alongside the Watch & Clock Fair, the HKTDC will also stage the inaugural international fashion trade show CENTRESTAGE (7-10 September), at the HKCEC to showcase branded fashion items and designer collections. The synergy generated by the two concurrent events will help global buyers explore more business opportunities in Hong Kong.

Design Excellence: time to celebrate
The 33^rd Hong Kong Watch & Clock Competition is divided into open group and student group categories. The competition helps the industry discover new talents, and serves as a platform for young designers to showcase their work. This year, the competition received close to 150 entries. The results and awards were presented at today’s press conference.

“Gorgeous Stage” was the theme of the open group, where Wealthy Shiny Ltd won in the champion category. Its winning piece, “Fouetté,” named after a ballet movement, signifies how life is a stage upon which everyone can make a perfect fouetté. The first runner-up was Leung Ho-him with his piece, “Our Waltz.” The second runner-up was Tang Chun-kit for his piece called “Kaleidoscope.”

The student group adopted the theme of “Love and Sharing.” Lee Cheuk-chung from Hong Kong Design Institute won the champion category with his piece “Image.” The first runner-up is Fan Hiu-ching from Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong with her piece “On the Dot,” while the second runner-up was Wong Lik from Hong Kong Design Institute, who was recognised for his design “Ton Up 3”. To showcase Hong Kong’s creativity to international buyers, the winning entries will be displayed at the Watch & Clock Fair at the lobby of Hall 1B.

Winning entries of the 33^rd Hong Kong Watch & Clock Design Competition 
http://hkwatchfair.hktdc.com/pdf/2016/competition/Online_DC_Result.pdf
 

Fair Websites:
HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair:            http://www.hktdc.com/fair/hkwatchfair-en/
Salon de TE:                                                   http://www.hktdc.com/fair/te-en/TE.html

Note: 6-10 September: Open to traders aged 18 or above (free admission)
        10 September: Salon de TE open to the public aged 12 or above (free admission)

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:

Joe Kainz     Tel: (852) 2584 4216           Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

Media Registration: Media representatives wishing to cover the event may register on-site with their business cards and/or media identification.

To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc

About the HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.