In 2026, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of evolution alongside Hong Kong and of connecting businesses, markets, and international opportunities. Since its establishment in 1966, the HKTDC has accompanied the city’s transformation, evolving from promoting Hong Kong’s manufactured products to also supporting services, innovation, and the global expansion of businesses.

Six Decades of Evolution

Founded on October 1, 1966, the HKTDC was established at a time when Hong Kong was emerging as a manufacturing powerhouse. Over the following decades, the organisation promoted products internationally under the “Made in Hong Kong” label, including watches and jewellery.

As Hong Kong’s economy evolved toward services, the HKTDC expanded its activities as well. The organisation developed an extensive international network and created trade fairs, conferences, and platforms designed to connect Hong Kong with mainland China and global markets.

Today, this role continues to adapt to an increasingly dynamic international environment, supporting businesses and promoting sectors ranging from finance and logistics to technology and innovation.

A Platform for International Watchmaking

Among the initiatives that form part of this legacy is the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair, one of the leading international platforms dedicated to the watch industry.

Held annually in Hong Kong, the fair brings together manufacturers, brands, designers, buyers, and industry professionals, showcasing watches, components, technology, and new developments across the sector.

In 2026, the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair will celebrate its 45th edition, coinciding with a particularly significant year for the HKTDC. Six decades after its foundation, the organisation continues to use international exhibitions as a way to create connections and business opportunities.

The 45th Edition: An Increasingly International Fair

The 2026 edition takes place under the theme “Sparkling Moments Through Time” and will bring together more than 630 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions, showcasing watches, clocks, components, machinery, technology, and other products related to the industry.

One of the most notable aspects of this edition is its growing international diversity. For the first time, a pavilion from Hengyang, Hunan Province, will participate, alongside group pavilions from France, Switzerland, Guangzhou, and Taiwan. New exhibitors from Norway, Singapore, and the United States will also join the fair.

The expansion is also reflected in Salon de TIME, which celebrates its 14th edition alongside the fair. The event will feature more than 150 brands, reaching its highest participation level since the pandemic. Participation from Hong Kong brands and Guochao-inspired watchmakers has also increased by more than 20 percent.

These developments highlight Hong Kong's role as a bridge between Mainland China and international markets, while demonstrating the continued confidence of the global watch industry in the Hong Kong market.

New Voices and a Growing Role for Microbrands

The diversity of the fair is also evident in the growing presence of independent brands. Within Salon de TIME, the Microbrands zone will bring together 29 brands from eight countries and regions, doubling both the number of participating brands and geographic representation compared with last year.

This evolution reflects an important shift within the industry. Alongside established manufacturers and major brands, microbrands and independent watchmakers are finding greater space to present ideas defined by experimentation, design, and individual identity.

The 2026 edition will also place particular emphasis on independent watchmaking from Mainland China. Three members of the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI) from China will participate: Xushu Ma, Zehua Tan, and Lin Yong Hua, providing a particularly notable representation of independent haute horlogerie.

Tradition, Innovation and New Ways to Experience Watchmaking

Beyond new commercial releases, the 45th edition will highlight the ways in which watchmaking continues to evolve. The programme will feature award-winning watches, collaborations, limited editions, and creations that combine traditional mechanics with new technologies and design concepts.

Among the highlights is AGELOCER, with its 29.51-Day Precision Moon Phase, a contemporary interpretation of the moon phase display that has received multiple international design awards. Singaporean brand Vario will also make its exhibition debut with the VERSA Reversible Dual Time Watch, featuring a reversible case and two dials designed to display different time zones.

Innovation will also be represented by the collaboration between LINK2CARE and MARVIN, which will introduce a luxury smartwatch incorporating biometric sensors into a leather strap.

World Brand Piazza and Major Names in Watchmaking

One of the highlights of Salon de TIME is World Brand Piazza, organised for the 16th consecutive year in partnership with Prince Jewellery & Watch.

The zone will feature creations from six international brands: Baume & Mercier, Corum, DeWitt, Franck Muller, Montblanc, and Sarcar, including limited editions and watches aimed at collectors.

Among the highlights is a collaboration between Franck Muller and French artist Jisbar, while Sarcar will present a unique platinum version of its Medusa timepiece created especially for the exhibition, featuring 228 diamonds.

Time Tunnel: 45 Years of History

The 45th edition will also provide an opportunity to look back. To mark the milestone, the organisers will present Time Tunnel, a special exhibition tracing the evolution of the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair since its beginnings in 1982.

The exhibition will explore how the fair established itself during the 1980s and 1990s as an important international sourcing platform. It will then examine the transformation of Hong Kong's watch industry between 2000 and 2020, when the sector began evolving from OEM manufacturing toward brand development.

The final section will explore the fair's more recent transformation, extending beyond manufacturing and sourcing to connect craftsmanship, design, technology, lifestyle, culture, and consumer experiences.

The Brands Taking Part

The 45th edition will once again bring together representatives from the international watch industry, with a selection of brands presenting their collections and latest developments to professionals and visitors.

Among them are different names that reflect the diversity of contemporary watchmaking and will be part of this new edition of the fair. Below, we take a closer look at some of the brands taking part in this year’s event.

Herbelin

Founded in France in 1947, Herbelin represents the combination of French watchmaking tradition and contemporary design. With roots in the Jura region, the brand is known for elegant and refined timepieces that bring together French aesthetics and watchmaking expertise.

LIP

With a history dating back to 1867 in Besançon, LIP is one of France’s historic watch brands. Its identity is closely linked to iconic designs and French watchmaking heritage, while its current collections combine historical influences with contemporary creations.

CIGA Design

CIGA Design brings a design-focused perspective to contemporary watchmaking. The Chinese independent brand is known for unconventional case architecture, expressive mechanical movements, and a willingness to challenge traditional watch design.

Roamer

Roamer of Switzerland combines Swiss watchmaking heritage with contemporary aesthetics. Its collections range from classic watches to sporty models and skeleton designs, maintaining an emphasis on craftsmanship, functionality, and Swiss quality.

Zeppelin

Founded in Germany in 2002 under PointTec, Zeppelin draws inspiration from the legendary airships that form part of aviation history. Its watches translate this heritage into vintage-inspired designs that combine historical character with contemporary watchmaking techniques.

Ruhla

Founded in 1862 in the German town of the same name, Ruhla has a watchmaking tradition spanning more than a century and a half. The brand reflects the region’s industrial heritage and German engineering, with a particular emphasis on functional and reliable timepieces.

Memorigin

Based in Hong Kong, Memorigin holds a distinctive position within the local watchmaking scene. The brand specialises in tourbillon watches, combining Eastern cultural influences with Western mechanical watchmaking and developing its own in-house movements.

Pierre Lannier

Founded in Alsace in 1977, Pierre Lannier offers a contemporary interpretation of French watchmaking. Its collections combine French elegance with modern design across quartz, automatic, and solar-powered watches, creating versatile timepieces designed for everyday wear.

DWISS

DWISS brings an independent perspective to Swiss mechanical watchmaking. Founded in 2011, the brand is recognised for unconventional approaches to displaying time, architectural case designs, limited production, and experimentation with innovative materials.

Briston Watches

Founded by Brice Jaunet, Briston Watches combines French style with a relaxed sport-chic character. The brand is particularly known for its distinctive curved square cases and the use of cellulose acetate, creating contemporary watches with a refined yet casual identity.

A Story That Continues

The HKTDC’s 60th anniversary and the 45th edition of the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair represent two milestones within the same story. Both reflect Hong Kong’s evolution as an international business hub and its ability to bring together different players from an industry that continues to grow, evolve, and look toward the future.

In 2026, Hong Kong will once again become a meeting point for a global industry, bringing together established brands, manufacturers, microbrands, independent watchmakers, and emerging names looking to shape the future of watchmaking.