The Asian watch market

True watch fans are usually well-versed in the American and European markets. But what about Asia? Anyone who thinks that they're only dealing with cheap counterfeits and unknown domestic production facilities is mistaken. The Asians are truly watch-mad and have a lot to offer. Whether in America, Europe, or Asia: According to a 2018 analysis, Rolex has secured the throne in all markets when it comes to the most sought-after watch brand. Familiar faces also follow – Patek Philippe and Omega take silver and bronze, respectively. This makes it clear that Asian watch fans don't (only) flock to any local productions, but truly appreciate globally recognized craftsmanship of the finest quality. Panerai, IWC Schaffhausen, TAG Heuer, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Hublot, and Breitling have also already managed to generate considerable interest in their products in the Asian market. And renowned manufacturers should definitely be able to achieve this – after all, Asia is now known for its lively and enthusiastic watch fans.

Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair

The Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair is essentially the Asian equivalent of Baselworld: an annual watch fair that presents all the latest innovations, trends, and other highlights from the watch world. It takes place in Hong Kong and is organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd., and the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades and Industries Ltd. The Hong Kong Conversation and Exhibition Centre, where the fair is held, is located in the Wan Chai industrial park. The huge halls on several floors of the approximately 29,000 square meter site offer a view of Victoria Harbour. This year there were 9,000 exhibitors to marvel at, making the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair the largest watch event, even though Baselworld and SIHH, which take place in Switzerland, remain the most important for manufacturers. In addition to the global highlights, what the "inner" has to offer is also presented here. The local watch industry in Asia has been developing faster than anywhere else in recent years. Unique local productions are becoming increasingly popular. The new Asian brands are usually young, creative, and produce innovative and modern creations. However, there are also factories that have existed since the 1950s and have a remarkable history to tell.

All fake?

As soon as Asian goods are mentioned, a cliché is usually not far behind: theft and counterfeiting. The stereotype of "thieving" Asia has existed for many years. Given various stories, no one can blame you for concerns about quality control, but that has long since ceased to be what truly defines Asia. Numerous watch manufacturers from Switzerland and other parts of the world work closely with Asian suppliers and partners. Well-known brands in this country utilize this type of cooperation for various parts and work of all kinds. And it's perfectly legal, because in order to be allowed to put the "Swiss Made" label on a watch, only 60 percent of the product value must come from Switzerland. In most cases, this primarily covers costs for design, assembly, etc., while a considerable amount of the watch parts are sourced from Asia. If you consider this, it becomes clear that Asia is not only capable of producing "junk," but is also quite capable of building magnificent timepieces. In addition to the high-quality support offered by European favorites, there are also top Chinese brands that are certainly worth a look. China, for example, has some great smartwatches on the market. Lemfo, a brand that offers affordable and powerful alternatives to the hyped (and expensive) Apple Watch, is particularly noteworthy. Curious? The "Lemfo Lem1" model, with a price tag of between 70 and 80 euros in Asia, is actually one of the more expensive smartwatches, but in our opinion, it's a real bargain. The Chinese version of the Apple Watch impresses with all its useful functions and an attractive look. The unisex watch is made of stainless steel and comes with a brown or black leather strap. It's also available in silver, gold, and black.

China is gaining international importance

While Apple is indeed the world's number one smartwatch manufacturer, and Asia itself is particularly focused on the LTE version of its watches, an Asian company is already in second place: Xiaomi from China, which offers affordable smartwatches in addition to smart shoes, children's watches, and fitness trackers. Hong Kong and China in particular are increasingly becoming the global epicenter of watch manufacturing and demand. Watches from Asian brands such as Curren, Shark, Megir, Weide, etc. are gaining increasing prestige because they combine affordable prices with technical sophistication and are extremely reliable. Furthermore, they often specialize in a particular type of timepiece, creating a true treasure through their unwavering focus. "Asian" or "Chinese" is therefore no longer synonymous with "junk." Asia is therefore increasingly influencing the industry and playing a key role in production and innovation. Hong Kong actually ranks first worldwide for Swiss watch exports, even though the city is home to only 0.1 percent of the world's population and is geographically virtually tiny. This demonstrates how watch-mad Asians truly are and how deeply rooted these pieces of jewelry are in their culture. Asia's enormous influence on the global watch market can no longer be denied.

This is worn on Asian wrists

The popularity of Rolex and Patek Philippe shows that elegance and status are important to Asians. But modern sports watches are by no means out of place among them, as can be seen from the demand for TAG Heuer and Panerai. In fact, Italian watches from Panerai are more popular in Asia than anywhere else in the world. Even though flying is probably not one of the favorite hobbies of most Asians, Breitling certainly has its fans there. No wonder, considering that Asians have always had a penchant for innovative developments: Breitling built the world's first chronograph without the pusher integrated into the crown. This apparently scored highly for the company. Beyond that, however, it's not just about the brand and model; it's also about the statement you want to make with your timepiece. For several years now, matching watches have been particularly popular in Asia. The idea is to capture special moments with your loved ones using a specific watch, so that you'll never forget that special time. Whether it's a wedding, the birth of a first child, or a son or daughter's graduation, partner watches serve as a personal symbol of shared experiences. However, the two watches don't necessarily have to be identical; there's certainly room for personal expression.

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