• The world's largest watch and clock fair
• 761 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions showcased their products
• A record-breaking of 17,038 buyers from 99 countries visited the Fair
• Brand Name Gallery further expanded to include 124 brands, up 10% over last year

Co-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, HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2008 was held during 3 - 7 September 2008 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

This world's largest watch and clock event took place against a robust performance of the Hong Kong's timepiece industry. In the first six months of this year, Hong Kong's watch and clock exports increased by 17 per cent to US$3.3 billion (HK$25.9 billion). Markets such as the Chinese mainland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States recorded double-digit increases. Such growth underlined the industry's competitive edge, its international reputation for speedy response, consistent quality and reasonable price.

A total of 761 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions participated in the Fair. Amongst them, 615 were from Hong Kong and 146 from overseas, including the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Korea, France, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, the United States, Germany, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Canada, Denmark, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the United Kingdom. Group pavilions from the Chinese mainland, Korea and Taiwan returned with stronger presence. Together they presented a wide spectrum of complete timepieces, parts and components, equipment, machinery and packaging products to buyers.

Buyers from all over the world also showed their support. This year, 17,038 buyers visited the Fair, including 10,313 Hong Kong visitors and 6,725 visitors from outside Hong Kong. The top visiting countries and regions included the Chinese mainland, Japan, Taiwan, the United States, Korea, Singapore, India, Germany, Malaysia and Switzerland. A total of 59 buying missions were organised, bringing in more than 2,005 select buyers from around the world, including Cosmoda Corporation (Canada), Louis Vuitton (France), Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH (Germany), The Clock House Co. Ltd. (Japan), Rolex (Switzerland) and Fossil Inc. (United States).

Fair highlights

Brand Name Gallery
Brand Name Gallery is a premium timepiece section dedicated to licensed and original branded watches, as well as fine fashion labels and designer collections. This year, it featured 124 outstanding brand names from some 17 countries and regions, a 10% increase over last year and the highest brand total since the Gallery was established in 2000. Distinguished international timepiece brands amazed buyers by their excellence in terms of design, workmanship and performance. Brands featured included o.d.m. from Hong Kong, CYRIL RATEL from Switzerland, Lafuma from France, Lotto from Italy, Jacob Jensen from the Netherlands and Angel Heart from Japan.

Asian Watch Industry Conference
The HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair was more than an exhibition. It was an important information hub for the industry. To provide the most valuable and up-to-date industry knowledge to both exhibitors and buyers, the fair organisers always ensured that the speakers of the Asian Watch Industry Conference were the brightest and most respected industry leaders. This year, Mr. Scott Wilson, founder of the multidisciplinary design studio MINIMAL and former Global Creative Director at Nike and Motorola, was invited to share his insights on global trends in timepiece design.

Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition
Entering its 25^th year, the annual Hong Kong Watch & Clock Design Competition proved to be key for young and creative designers to showcase their innovative designs that combined technological expertise with visual appeal. This year's Open Group participants designed around the theme "Oriental Fascination", while those in the Student Group played around the theme "Beauty of China". The competition was organised by the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2008 Organising Committee with the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Limited and the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Limited as co-organisers. Winning designs were displayed at Hall 1 Concourse, allowing visitors to appreciate the creativity of new talent and promoting Hong Kong's design capabilities.

Cocktail Reception
On 3 September 2008, exhibitors, buyers and the media were given a chance to let their hair down and enjoy their networking chances at the Fair's cocktail reception entitled ¡§The Flying Apsaras of Dunhuang¡¨. Dunhuang, a city of China, is famous for its cave paintings of celestial maidens, the apsaras. It is located on the old Silk Road and was a gateway to China in ancient times. This theme has been meticulously selected to demonstrate the current role of Hong Kong as a meeting point for traders from the East and West.

The reception was action-packed with product parades of original and gorgeously designed watches, lucky draw and a great deal of entertainment, including performances by traditional Dunhuang dancers and musicians.

A Time to be Remembered

HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2009 will be held during 2 - 6 September 2009 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Industry buyers and exhibitors will again gather in this key event of the timepiece industry to exchange market information and close business deals. It is a time to be remembered. Be sure not to miss it!

For further information, please visit the official website of the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair at www.hktdc.com/hkwatchfair

Or contact:

Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Exhibitions Department
Unit 13, Expo Galleria
Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
1 Expo Drive, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 1830 668
Fax: (852) 2824 0026
E-mail: exhibitions@tdc.org.hk