The business of watches is booming, evidence is in the different Philippine watch brands that are now in development and in stores. The Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair gathers together all the knowledge, experience, and suppliers that you need to start something up at certain levels, or start learning for others. Hands-on sampling, presentations on the industry by those actually in it, new ideas you often see before they hit mainstream. The fair is organized by the Kong Kong Trade Development Council.
With an EXHIBITION + hybrid model, the fair takes into account the reality of today’s world while bringing back the opportunity and excitement of the previous shows. For example, an online smart business matching platform called “Click2Match” will be operating from August 29 to September 16 to allow businesses, traders, and entrepreneurs more network and connection opportunities. A “Scan2Match” system will allow offline-to-online connections so visitors can get information and make connections more quickly as well.
Displays allow you to see everything from parts to finished pieces, and you ‘ll get to talk to all those that do all the work in between. Well-planned events and panels such as the HK International Watch Forum and the Asian Watch Conference discuss global trade performance and trends and what the latest research and development have in store.
The Watch & Clock Design Competition works to stimulate creative exchange in local watch and clock design, and this year is the 40th running of the program. Student groups can compete in the “Game Code” theme while “The Beauty Of Perspective” is for the open competition. Winners will be announced at the fair, and the winning pieces will be displayed.
The Salon de TE (open to the public on Sept 8-9) will bring renowned watch brands and designer collections into five themed zones. The highlight “World Brand Piazza”, for example, will display limited editions and rare timepieces from prestigious international brands.
The “Chic and Trendy” display is meant to highlight fresher, younger ideas, brands and directions. These watches bring a new perspective, such as the Roulette Master II Skeleton Automatic from Romago (Switzerland).
“Craft Treasure” showcases mechanical watches and the craftsmanship of jeweled pieces such as the Dual Tourbillon watch from the mainland China brand Peacock Watch. They hold the patent for this complication and are the only ones in Mainland China that can produce this watch.
“Renaissance Movement” is meant to showcase classic and elegant brands that began their life in Europe, such as the Trio Watch from Pierre Lannier.
“Wearable Tech” looks at smart watches, and quite often you see innovations here that only later make their way into the more mainstream smart watches. Definitely something to look into. Displayed here will be the ACE Smart Watch from King-Wear of Mainland China.
The Fair highlights “Gun Chao” theme and the work of mainland China watchmakers who integrate exquisite craftsmanship and Chinese culture. Ma Xushu is an independent master watchmaker and a member of the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI). On display will be his watch “Starry Night,” for which he repeatedly went to the Beijing Planetarium to study the skies. The watch uses a pointer with a telescopic structure to indicate the hour and minute simultaneously, and the back of the watch corresponds to the actual starry sky map over Beijing.
