This year’s theme, “Our Time. Our Moments,” captures the emotional resonance watches continue to hold. The fair presents not just a catalogue of brands, but a living snapshot of where watchmaking stands today. From heritage brands and independent ateliers to startup labels exploring wearable tech and sustainable craft, the fair spans a wide spectrum of the watch world.

A Confluence of Craft, Commerce, and Creativity

Salon de TIME brings a curatorial lens to the fair, segmented into five thoughtfully arranged zones.  The World Brand Piazza hosts rare and limited edition watches from prestigious names, while Chic & Trendy offers a pulse check on fashion-forward brands like Ice-Watch, Quantum, Infantry and local label CAUGHT.  In Craft Treasure, visitors can find mechanical and gem-set watches from the likes of Memorigin, Seagull and SAGA.  Renaissance Moment focuses on European classics, presenting marques like Pierre Lannier, ROAMER, and Lilienthal Berlin, while also welcoming independent voices through platforms such as the Swiss Independent Watchmaking Pavilion and Francéclat.  For those interested in the future of horology, the Wearable Tech section explores the intersection of engineering and everyday function with exhibitors like Germany’s Oskron.

Parallel to the curated zones of Salon de TIME, the main fair showcases everything from complete watches and pre-owned pieces to clockmaking machinery, components, and services. The layout offers an efficient overview of the supply chain and a reminder that watchmaking is not only an art but a complex and collaborative industry.

Beyond the Booths: Knowledge Sharing and Design Futures

Events throughout the fair further deepen its appeal.  The Hong Kong International Watch Forum on opening day brings together leaders from global watch associations to exchange views on market resilience and trade patterns.  On the following day, the Asian Watch Conference opens its doors to researchers, makers, and thinkers.  Topics this year will include sustainability regulations under the EU’s Ecodesign framework and how independent watchmaking continues to redefine lasting value in a fast-moving world.

Design, too, takes its rightful place at the centre of the conversation.  The 42nd Hong Kong Watch & Clock Design Competition will again shine a spotlight on emerging talents. With themes like “Believe in Yourself” for students and “Memorable” for the open category, the competition encourages bold, thoughtful design. One student team will even see their concept realised into production through mentorship from the organising watch associations.

A Moment Worth Marking

As much as the fair is about business, it is also about appreciation.  Watch parades, celebrity appearances, and opportunities for the public to engage in the final days of the event transform it from a trade show into a shared celebration of watchmaking’s evolving identity. From the established to the experimental, from mechanical marvels to smart innovations, the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TIME remain one of the few stages where every facet of timekeeping finds its audience.

In a world that moves quickly, the ability to mark and measure moments is more meaningful than ever.  This September in Hong Kong, those moments will be on full display.  And TBC will be in the halls of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, covering the event.  Follow our Instagram account for our coverage.

(All photos are courtesy of the event organiser and are used with permission. Copyright and all related rights remain with the respective owners.)