The results of the 43rd Hong Kong Watch & Clock Design Competition have been announced, showcasing the innovative talent that is shaping the future of the watch and clock industry. The competition, jointly organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd., and the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd., was held alongside the 45th Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the 14th Salon de TIME, which concluded their physical exhibitions on 5 September, attracting over 17,000 trade buyers from 115 countries and regions.
Since its inception, the competition has aimed to raise design standards, encourage innovative ideas, and enrich the fair's content. This year's edition featured two categories: the Open Group with the theme 'Transcending Time', and the Student Group with the theme 'Contours of the Breeze'. The themes invited participants to explore abstract concepts and the movement of wind, respectively, resulting in 130 entries that were judged by a panel of industry experts and celebrity guest judge Joey Thye.
In the Open Group, the Champion was awarded to 'Tectonic Indeterminacy' by Chan Pak Hei and Yang Tianxu, sponsored by Golden Hawk Manufactory Ltd. The design, inspired by the organic geometry of pebbles, features angular facets carved from a solid form, transforming the dial into a tangible representation of time. The First Runner-up, 'Channel' by Wong Ting Bong, incorporated a VU meter scale and pointer to visualize time and sound, while the Second Runner-up, 'Moment of Stillness' by Pang Sze Ngawho, depicted mountain ranges with gold wire and enamel.
In the Student Group, the Champion was 'Traces of Storm' by Yip Yuen Sze, Christine of the Hong Kong Design Institute, which drew inspiration from cyclone patterns in satellite imagery and featured lightning bolt-shaped hands. This design also won the Made-to-Sell Award, recognizing its commercial potential, and will be produced for market launch through the HKTDC's Design Gallery. The First Runner-up was 'Running through the breeze' by Tam Hei Yiu, and the Second Runner-up was 'Carpe Diem' by Lo Hoi Pui.
The competition not only celebrates creativity but also has a practical impact on the industry. By providing a platform for emerging designers to showcase their work, it helps cultivate new talent and injects fresh perspectives into the market. The winning designs, exhibited at the fair, demonstrated the high level of skill and imagination present in Hong Kong's watch and clock sector.
For more information about the competition and the associated events, visit the Salon de TIME website and the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair website.
