FROM THE EDITORS Letters + Events
From Guangzhou Onlyou
Watch Industry Co, seen at
the Hong Kong Watch &
Clock Fair.
WATCHES AND CLOCKS IN HONG KONG
his past September 4-8 marked my first visit to the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair,
and it was indeed a new adventure for me. From the stunning fairgrounds over-
looking Victoria Harbor to the breadth of exhibitors (numbering about 830), it was
an experience I’m grateful to add to my decades-long career as a timepiece journalist.
T
One of my favorite presentations was that given
by Vincent Calabrese, independent watchmaker
and co-founder of the Académie Horlogère des
Créateurs Indépendants, who discussed the differ-
ence between a tourbillon and carrousel. As a fan
of Mr. Calabrese, I enjoyed his talk (via a translator)
and visual presentation immensely.
After three days perusing the show, as well as
THE METICULOUSLY MANAGED ENDEAVOR, THIS YEAR CELEBRATING ITS 37TH EDITION, welcomed a bit of sightseeing during my off hours, it was
21,000 international visitors to its web of exhibition halls, and it was also open to the public on September time to head home. I was sorry to leave before the
8. Interestingly, more than ninety brands sold watches on that final day, allowing visitors to not only enjoy “public day,” since I think, from my experience at
the overall experience of the fair, but also to leave with a favorite timepiece. other trade shows, this can be a reasonable gauge
Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Watch Manu- of general consumer interest. Nevertheless, I left
facturers Association Ltd. and the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades and Industries, the show secure in the fact that watches—one-of-a-kind,
highlighted everything from complete watches and clocks to components and trade services. The concur- hybrid, mechanical or quartz—are here to stay.
rent Salon de TE, now in its sixth year, included more than 140 brands and designer collections.
A number of panel discussions, seminars and networking opportunities were held throughout the days
of the fair, many with a focus on trends within the watch and clock business. Smart watches and their effect
Have fun reading,
on the industry was a hot topic at the Asian Watch Conference and, according to Jorge Martin, head of
Fashion Research at Euromonitor International (EI), there has been a wide variety of responses from watch
manufacturers to their introduction.
His conclusion? “My opinion, based on the numbers, is that there is no such thing as cannibalization in
most cases between smart pieces and traditional watches.” He even suggested that smart watches might Nancy Olson
create a new market for traditional watches. Managing Editor | [email protected]
6 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | FALL 2018