ASIA - The organiser of Watches & Wonders 2013 has claimed more than 16,000 visitors attended Asia’s first 'haute horlogerie' exhibition.
The Foundation de le Haute Horlogerie (FHH) held the inaugural show on 25-28 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), in response to the watch industry growth in Asian markets. According to the organiser, China has become the fastest growing market for the watch industry, while Hong Kong has become the second-largest watch market and the fifth-largest jewellery market in the world.
A total of 13 exhibitors showcased their luxury watches and mechanisms over the four-day event, including A Lange & Sohne, Audemars Piguet, Baume & Mercier, Cartier, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Officine Panerai, Piaget, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, Vacheron Constantin and Van Cleef & Arpels.
“Watches & Wonders is not a commercial event,” said Fabienne Lupa, chairwoman and MD of FHH. “The objective is to reinforce the fact that the fine watch industry has to raise more awareness and also to educate Asian customers.
“The Hong Kong fair served as an educational platform for fine watch making and focuses more on culture and the craftsmanship behind the exceptional timepieces as well as the patrimony of the 13 participating great maisons of Europe.”
A highlight of the event featured The Mastery of Time exhibition which showcased around 100 timepieces on loan from Swiss museums and private collections of the exhibitors.
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