Every tick of a watch marks a moment in time. But what if a watch could capture a memory? Or embody a dream? At the 42nd Hong Kong Watch & Clock Design Competition, time isn’t just measured—it’s felt. This is where horology meets heart, and engineering dances with emotion.
While our founder Thomas J. Sandrin is immersed in the bustling aisles of the Watch & Clock Fair, we’re pausing to explore the stories behind the watches. This competition isn’t just about technical mastery; it’s a window into the souls of designers who dare to infuse metal and gear with meaning.
WHERE TIME BECOMES ART: A LEGACY OF INNOVATION
For over four decades, the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Design Competition has been a launchpad for creative vision. Jointly organized by the HKTDC, the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd., and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd., it’s more than a contest—it’s a commitment to elevating Hong Kong’s design landscape and nurturing the next generation of horological artists.
This year’s themes were a call to introspection: “Memorable” for the Open Group and “Believe in Yourself” for the Student Group. The responses weren’t just watches; they were personal narratives, crafted in steel and sapphire.
OPEN GROUP: WEARING YOUR “MEMORABLE”
The Open Group showcased a breathtaking array of concepts where personal history met intricate design. These weren’t just timepieces; they were heirlooms of emotion.
CHAMPION: FREEZE by Tam Kwok Tung (Sponsored by: Wincy Horological Ltd.)
“Three, two, one, cheese!” This watch immortalizes a childhood memory of a father’s half-hidden face behind a camera. The design ingeniously splits the dial: a right window revealing the beating heart of the movement, and a left window displaying the time via gear-driven hands. It’s a literal and metaphorical freeze-frame, subverting tradition to showcase beauty and mechanics simultaneously.
1ST RUNNER-UP: RB_ROBO by Wong Ting Bong
A celebration of ageless joy. “Happiness Never Expires, Childlike Spirit Never Retires.” This playful design hides a secret—the watch face transforms into a posable robot figure, challenging the very definition of a timepiece and reminding us that every adult is simply a grown-up child.
2ND RUNNER-UP: Backtrack by Oro Time Limited
“Memorable” is not a person, but a moment. This watch is a wearable time machine, incorporating elements of game consoles, VHS tapes, and vinyl records. Its genius lies in interchangeable “game cartridges,” making it a interactive, Y2K-inspired accessory designed to strengthen the user’s connection to their unique past.
THE FINALISTS: A Symphony of Stories
The depth of talent was staggering. Other notable entries included:
- 45RPM: A tribute to vinyl records, where the minute jump mimics a record needle, turning time into melody.
- Ah 4 upon a star: A poignant tribute to a beloved pet cat, forever memorialized on a starry, grassy dial.
- Unforgettable to the core: A dazzling homage to cassette tapes, complete with a chain of Swarovski crystals that spins like a tape when a play-button crown is pressed.
- AMANI: Inspired by a song meaning “peace” in Swahili, this design is a powerful call for unity and cherishing life.
- MOMENTOUS: A technically sophisticated jumping hour watch, refined with expertise from a GPHG-nominated master, paying tribute to defining moments.
STUDENT GROUP: THE COURAGE TO “BELIEVE IN YOURSELF”
If the Open Group looked back, the Student Group fiercely looked inward. Their designs are manifestos of confidence, resilience, and the raw courage to dream.
CHAMPION & MADE-TO-SELL AWARD: Aspire by Chan Tsz Ying (HKDI)
A watch that witnesses growth. Movable beads on the dial symbolize traits like courage and confidence. Their movement represents life’s journey; their stillness, moments of self-reflection. It’s a beautifully minimalist design that encourages the wearer to trust themselves, no matter the obstacle. Its market-ready appeal earned it the coveted Made-to-Sell Award.
1ST RUNNER-UP: Believe In Yourself by Lee Yuet Tung Eudora (Good Hope School)
A compass for the soul. The bezel is inscribed with “Faith,” “Hope,” and “Love”—the three guides to overcoming turmoil. The hands are shaped like a compass needle, pointing the way to dreams and success, underscored by the powerful phrase “Believe In Yourself” on the dial.
2ND RUNNER-UP: Broken Stars in the Ripples by Yip Yuen Sze Christine (HKDI)
A poetic metaphor for life’s opportunities. The overlapping of hands symbolizes rare, perfect chances that only come to those who are prepared. Even amidst life’s ripples and obstacles, the alignment of time brings hope.
MERIT AWARDS & FINALISTS: Diversity of Dreaming
The creativity continued with entries like:
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Hope’s Ahead: A Van Gogh-inspired sunflower blazing with hope in the night, on a strap designed to calm the soul.
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Leap of Faith: A cosmic design capturing humanity’s boundless faith to reach the stars.
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Scribal Splendor: A watch born from a student’s perspective, celebrating the confidence to overcome academic challenges with a simple pen stroke.
- Maximum (Infinite Speed): A “racing tail wing” challenges the wearer to push from their comfort zone (white) into the starting zone (red) to embrace new challenges.
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Minibus accessory - believe in yourself: This design turns the watch into a daily wearable mantra. Featuring motivational messages in both vibrant English (blue) and Chinese (red), it’s a portable source of empowerment. The bilingual affirmations on the front and back make it a uniquely personal and culturally resonant accessory designed to inspire confidence with every glance.
BEHIND THE JUDGEMENT: A PANEL OF VISIONARIES
Curating this gallery of genius was a respected panel of industry experts from manufacturing, retail, and design, including guest judge, actress and fashion icon Bowie Cheung. Their criteria balanced aesthetic innovation, technical feasibility, and market potential, seeking designs that weren’t just beautiful concepts but also spoke to the future of wearables.
WHY THIS COMPETITION MATTERS
In a world of mass production, this competition is a vital beacon. It’s a reminder that watches are more than tools; they are canvases for human expression. It pushes the entire industry to think deeper, feel more, and innovate beyond function. For these designers, it’s a career-launching platform. For brands like ours at WatchDNA, it’s a wellspring of inspiration and a chance to connect with the raw, unfiltered pulse of horology’s future.
