tepping into the exhibition hall, visitors were greeted by a symphony of precision and elegance: the staccato rhythm of Swiss movements entwined with the refined nuances of Chinese aesthetics.

As Asia’s leading watch industry showcase, the fair staged an engaging dialogue between mechanical art and smart technology. The event also marked a boon for global SMEs, with the “International CrossBorder Trade Zone” leveraging Hong Kong’s logistical and financial strengths — especially its zero-tariff pathway under the CEPA agreement — to propel independent brands into Asian markets.

World Brand Piazza: A Showcase of Excellence

Anchoring the fair was the long-standing World Brand Piazza, presented for the 15th year in partnership with Prince Jewellery & Watch. Here, prestigious brands including Baume & Mercier, Corum, Cvstos, De Witt, Ulysse Nardin, Montblanc, and others unveiled their finest creations.

Against a backdrop of cultural diversity, German, French, Japanese, Swiss, and mainland Chinese brands stood side by side — offering visitors an immersive journey through horological innovation and design.

Michael, a European buyer, summed it up poignantly: “The Hong Kong Watch Fair has always held a stellar reputation in the international watch industry. Here, I not only see the well-known brands but also discover niche labels brimming with potential—truly a worthwhile visit!”

Insights and Ideation: Forums and Exchanges

The fair hosted more than 35 dynamic events — seminars, forums, and dialogues — offering a panoramic view of the industry’s current pulse.

Hong Kong International Watch Forum

On September 2, industry leaders convened for the Hong Kong International Watch Forum, sharing trade data and exploring supply chain strategies. Representatives from China, Germany, France, Switzerland, Japan, and South Korea discussed both challenges and solutions.

Zhang Hongguang, Chairman of the China Horologe Association, revealed that in the first half of 2025, China’s watch industry faced mounting pressures. Revenue among 294 large-scale enterprises declined 9.58%, with profit margins at only 3.18%. Export and import values decreased by 1.12% and 13.38%, respectively. Domestic demand contraction intensified business pressure, underscoring the need for digital sales and supply chain optimization.

Yoshihiro Kubo, General Manager of the Japan Watch Association, highlighted the dual challenge of rising costs and production diversification, noting that finding alternative production bases is difficult due to unique industry requirements.

Yves Bugmann, President of the Swiss Federation of the Watch Industry (FH), emphasized the importance of maintaining Switzerland’s reputation, stating: “The 39% tariff on U.S. exports poses a significant challenge for Swiss watch brands.”

Guido Grohmann, Managing Director of the German Association of Jewellery, Watches, Silverware and Related Industries, noted that while German exports reached a ten-year high in H1 2025, retail volatility created significant supply chain challenges.

Discussions emphasized multidimensional strategies: building supply chain resilience, adopting innovative technologies, safeguarding brand value, and strengthening international collaboration.

East-West Health Intelligence: Smart Wearables in Preventive Care

The forum “East-West Health Intelligence: Smart Wearables in Preventive Care” brought together experts from the Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, PLA 301 Hospital, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong University, and UCLA, alongside industry representatives. Discussions focused on smartwatches for health monitoring, chronic disease management, and integrated East-West medical approaches.

Professor Zhang Qiming stated: “We aim to extract the valuable treasures of Chinese medicine and leverage modern science to provide early warnings and interventions before illness occurs.”

Dr. Chris Xu, Director of the East-West Medicine Center at UCLA, emphasized integrating Western precision metrics with traditional Chinese medicine for holistic health management, highlighting smartwatches’ potential as bridges between the two systems.

Asian Watch Symposium

On September 3, the Asian Watch Symposium explored global market dynamics, independent watchmaking, and EU sustainable design regulations.

Amarildo Pilo, head of SIWP and founder of PILO & Co GENEVE, elaborated on the philosophy of independent watchmaking: “Independent watchmakers are akin to artists, free from the constraints of large groups. Every piece embodies their soul and pursuit of beauty.”

He cited the GPHG-winning Chinese brand Xi Jia’s “Blue Planet” as an example of environmental and technical innovation in independent watchmaking, demonstrating that mastery of craft is timeless fashion.

Celebrating 70 Years of Chinese Watchmaking

The “70 Years of Chinese Watchmaking” forum featured Zhang Hongguang, Chairman of the China Horologe Association; Lin Wenhua, Chairman of the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Association; Hou Guilin, Vice Chairman of the China Horologe Association; and Xu Chuangyue, President of the Shanghai Watch Industry Association. They traced the evolution of Chinese watchmaking from the 1955 Tianjin Five-Star Watch to modern high-end mechanical creations.

Xu Chuangyue highlighted cultural integration in watches, citing Seagull’s “Three-Legged Golden Crow” minute repeater and Shanghai Watch’s Modern Magnolia series. These examples showcase the blend of Eastern craftsmanship with mechanical sophistication. The discussion emphasized global brand expansion through digital marketing, cross-border e-commerce, and strategic collaborations with international exhibitions and fashion brands.

Wonders on Display: Timepieces of Note

Seagull’s ultrathin automatic tourbillon: Featuring their ST8610 movement at just 4.3 mm thick, this watch embodies Eastern aesthetics through its “three-point-one-line” layout and “Xuanniao” motif — flexing both visual elegance and technical prowess.

Shanghai Watch’s 70th Anniversary Moon Phase (limited to 700 pieces): A nod to the original 1955 model, this piece melds historical detail (the date formatting and “Shanghai” inscription) with modern luxury, including 18K-gold elements and a sunburst dial.

Modern Magnolia Embroidery Series: Drawing on Shanghai’s city flower and traditional Su embroidery, these watches feature opulent stitched designs crafted over 30 hours — harmonizing heritage artistry with exquisite watchmaking.

Link2Care’s Watch2Care Vital: Positioned at the intersection of traditional wisdom and technology, this AI-enabled smartwatch monitors both Western health metrics and Chinese medical dimensions (like spleen function), delivering personalized lifestyle recommendations geared toward preventive care.

Fiyta’s Aerospace Series: Inspired by lunar exploration, this watch pairs an 18K relief of the Earth-Moon system on its dial with a ceramic bezel marked “7+1,” symbolizing the precision of space travel — a tribute to national space achievements.

Tea Watch (Oolong): A muted grey timepiece that embraces minimalist appeal with sustainable stainless steel construction, reflecting a mindful approach to both style and environmental consciousness.

Tikkers Smart Tracker for Youth: Designed for children and teens, it focuses on activity tracking, sleep reminders, messaging, and phone-finding — blending health, safety, and convenience in a wearable.

Kelton Grande Colorama: Flaunting a whimsical elongated case and interchangeable bands, some in collaboration with French fashion brand Ines de la Fressange, this collection blends joie de vivre with Parisian elegance.

Final Reflections

The 2025 Hong Kong Watch Fair closed its doors amid widespread acclaim, but its impact endures. More than a showcase, the event has become a global fulcrum for dialogue — uniting tradition with innovation, industry with ideology, and East with West. From that moment of opening to the moment of closing, every tick resonated with craftsmanship, ingenuity, and a shared vision for the future of timekeeping.

As technology evolves and consumer expectations shift, the watch industry’s future shines with promise — and Hong Kong remains its steadfast compass. When the tides subside, only craftsmanship refined by time will persist along the shores of Victoria Harbour. Let us anticipate the next chapter — for time’s marvels are yet to come.