The 45th Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the 14th Salon de TIME attracted more than 17,000 trade buyers from 115 countries and regions, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as an important international marketplace for the global watch and clock industry.
Held over five days at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the two events concluded on September 5, 2026, bringing together more than 630 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions.
According to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), buyer participation increased from several key international markets, including North America, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Latin America.
Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair Records Strong International Participation
The Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2026 provided an international platform for manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, collectors and industry professionals to connect with potential business partners and explore new market opportunities.
International buyers attending the fairs came primarily from the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, India, Japan, Russia, the United States and various Southeast Asian markets.
The strong presence of overseas buyers highlighted continued international interest in Hong Kong’s watch and clock marketplace. The participation of buyers from established and emerging markets also created opportunities for exhibitors to expand their distribution networks and develop new business relationships.
The event brought together companies representing different segments of the watch and clock industry, offering visitors opportunities to discover products, technologies, brands and business solutions.
Salon de TIME Features More Than 150 Global Brands
Running alongside the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair, Salon de TIME 2026 presented more than 150 watch brands from around the world.
The event also featured a dedicated Microbrands zone, which brought together 29 brands from eight countries and regions. The zone provided smaller and independent watch brands with an international platform to showcase their collections and connect with buyers, collectors and consumers.
Salon de TIME achieved a record scale this year, according to HKTDC Associate Executive Director Smilely Lam.
Lam said the event’s expanded international participation strengthened its diversity and global profile, while providing a platform connecting manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, collectors and buyers.
The combination of established brands and independent microbrands added further variety to the overall showcase, giving visitors access to different approaches to watch design, manufacturing and branding.
More Than 20,000 Public Visits Recorded
The public-facing side of Salon de TIME also generated significant interest.
Together with CENTRESTAGE, the fashion event held concurrently, Salon de TIME recorded more than 20,000 public visits.
The combination of professional trade activity and consumer engagement helped create broader exposure for participating brands while connecting the watch industry with fashion and lifestyle audiences.
A lifestyle-focused programme was also held alongside the fairs. The Watch2Care Smart x Lifestyle Experience, staged on September 4 and 5, added activities designed to connect watches and lifestyle experiences with visitors.
Survey Shows Positive Outlook for Watch Industry Sales
HKTDC conducted a survey involving approximately 890 exhibitors and buyers during the two events to assess market sentiment and future business prospects.
The survey found that 50% of respondents expected overall sales to increase over the following 12 to 24 months. Another 43% anticipated stable sales during the same period.
The findings indicate that a significant proportion of industry participants remain positive about the medium-term outlook for the global watch and clock market.
Respondents also identified several regions as having strong growth potential over the next two years. These included Latin America, Korea, the Middle East, Australia and South Africa.
The findings provide exhibitors and international brands with indications of where future market opportunities could develop as companies continue to expand their international sales networks.
Exhibitors Generate New International Business Contacts
Beyond visitor numbers, several exhibitors reported generating new business contacts and receiving orders from international buyers during the fairs.
The opportunity to meet buyers from multiple geographic markets in one location remained an important element of the events.
For exhibitors, direct engagement with retailers, distributors, importers, collectors and other industry stakeholders can help create opportunities for new partnerships and market expansion.
The international composition of buyers also allowed participating brands to explore demand across established markets as well as regions identified as having future growth potential.
Click2Match Extends Business Opportunities
Business activity connected to the events is continuing beyond the physical exhibitions through HKTDC’s Click2Match business-matching platform.
The platform will remain available through September 12, giving exhibitors and buyers additional time to continue discussions and explore potential business partnerships following the conclusion of the physical fairs.
The extended digital engagement is designed to support follow-up conversations between participants who may not have completed discussions during the five-day events.
Hong Kong Strengthens Its Role as a Global Watch Marketplace
The strong international attendance at the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2026 and Salon de TIME demonstrates the continued importance of international trade exhibitions for the watch industry.
With more than 17,000 trade buyers from 115 countries and regions and over 630 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions, the events provided a substantial meeting point for the global watch and clock community.
The participation of buyers from India, the United States, Japan, Southeast Asia, Latin America and other international markets also underlined the cross-border nature of the industry.
The combination of trade exhibitions, brand showcases, microbrand participation, consumer engagement and digital business matching provided participants with multiple opportunities to build connections and explore new markets.
As the global watch and clock sector continues to evolve, international exhibitions such as the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TIME remain important platforms for product discovery, business networking and market development.
