The 43rd Hong Kong Watch & Clock Design Competition has announced its winners, highlighting new approaches to timepiece design and the commercial potential of emerging talent. The competition was jointly organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Limited, and the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Limited. Its objectives are to raise design standards, encourage innovation, and promote Hong Kong-made timepieces internationally.

The competition received 130 entries this year. An eight-member panel of industry representatives, joined by celebrity guest judge Joey Thye, selected the winning designs in the Open and Student Groups.

Open Group: “Transcending Time”

The Open Group theme, “Transcending Time,” asked participants to translate sensory experiences into design elements and challenge conventional approaches to timekeeping.

The Champion award went to “Tectonic Indeterminacy,” designed by Chan Pak Hei and Yang Tianxu. Inspired by the organic geometry of pebbles, the design was created through a process of subtraction in which angled facets were carved into a solid form. This transformed the dial into a tangible representation of time. A sculpted void integrates the crown into the watch body, adding spatial depth and tactile tension to the experience of reading the time.

Wong Ting Bong’s “Channel” received the First Runner-up award. The design uses a VU meter scale and pointer commonly found in audio equipment to translate the abstract concepts of time and sound into physical traces.

The Second Runner-up award went to “Moment of Stillness” by Pang Sze Nga. The design depicts mountain ranges using gold wire and enamel and features a relief swallow as a messenger of time, combining traditional craftsmanship with artistic expression.

Student Group: “Contours of the Breeze”

The Student Group theme, “Contours of the Breeze,” encouraged participants to explore the movement and flow of wind through watch design while reflecting the limitless possibilities of life’s journey.

The Champion was “Traces of Storm” by Yip Yuen Sze, Christine, of the Hong Kong Design Institute. Its watch face resembles cyclone patterns captured in satellite images, while its hands are shaped like lightning bolts. The design symbolizes the courage to gather storm clouds and break new ground, embodying the spirit of the theme.

Tam Hei Yiu of Pope Paul VI College received the First Runner-up award for “Running through the Breeze.” The hour, minute, and second hands are shaped respectively as a girl, a tree, and a windmill. Together, they depict a girl running across a grassy field and convey perseverance in pursuing one’s goals.

The Student Group’s Second Runner-up was “Carpe Diem” by Lo Hoi Pui of the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong. Inspired by dandelion seeds, the design features a central hand modeled on a weathervane and captures the idea of seizing the moment.

“Made-to-Sell Award” returns

This year’s competition also marked the reintroduction of the “Made-to-Sell Award,” which recognizes a Student Group entry with strong commercial potential. An eight-member panel of watch manufacturers selected Yip Yuen Sze, Christine’s “Traces of Storm” as the recipient.

The Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd. and the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd. will put the design into production and launch it to the market through the HKTDC’s Design Gallery.

The competition results were showcased at the 45th Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the 14th Salon de TIME. The events attracted more than 17,000 trade buyers from 115 countries and regions, providing emerging designers with exposure and giving the industry an opportunity to discover new talent.

For more information about the event and the winning designs, visit the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TIME websites. The source article is available at Citybuzz.