Global platform for sourcing premium timepieces

HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2008 – the largest fair of its kind – will be held from September 3 to 7 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd and the Federation of Hong Kong Watch
Trades and Industries Ltd.

According to statistics, Hong Kong was the world's second largest exporter of complete watches and complete clocks in terms of both value and quantity in 2005. In 2007, Hong Kong's total exports of watches & clocks amounted to US$6.4 billion (around HK$50 billion), a 6% increase over 2006.

In this favourable trading environment, over 800 exhibitors from around the world are expected to participate in this annual fair. Last year, the fair attracted 800 exhibitors from 18 countries & regions; more than 16,000 buyers came from 100 countries & regions to do business with them. Over the years, the fair has successfully established itself as the premier sourcing platform for timepieces of all kinds. Major exhibitors, including Hong Kong's Peace Mark Ltd, France's Time & Diamond SA and the Netherlands' S Weisz BV, have already confirmed their participation in 2008.

HKTDC conducted a watch survey in the Chinese mainland in 2007 and around 50% of respondents said that attractive design was the reason they purchased a watch. This response reflects the fact that, as well as being necessities, watches are fashion accessories.

In view of this trend, the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair once again presents “Brand Name Gallery”, in which buyers can find over 100 original and licensed branded watches, as well as fine fashion labels and designer collections. Famous brands like o.d.m. from Hong Kong, CYRIL RATEL from Switzerland, Lafuma from France, Jacob Jensen from Denmark and Angel Heart from Japan have confirmed their participation in the fair. Parades will be a feature of the fair with live models showing exhibitors' products.

As well as the parades, the widely popular Asian Watch Conference will also be held during the fair period. In order to encourage creativity, the 25th Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition will again be a concurrent event. “The Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition works to enhance the design and quality of Hong Kong-made watches and clocks. We received more than 300 entries for the competition, which shows that design plays an increasingly important role in the industry,” said Jerry Tsang, Co-Chairman of the 2007 Fair Organising Committee during last year's Design Competition press conference. This year, the theme for the Open Group is “Oriental Fascination” and that for the Student Group is “Beauty of China”.
For more information, please visit www.hktdc.com/hkwatchfair

Source: Hong Kong Trade and Development Council

Contact: [email protected]
(Please credit europastar.com)