Announcing the winners of the Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition are: Anthony Cheung (left) and Kenneth Wong (right), Co-Chairmen of the Fair Organising Committee, and Raymond Yip, Assistant Executive Director of the HKTDC

Attending the Press Conference are (from second left to right): President of Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd Yip Siu Fan, Honorary Life President of Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd JP Hilton Cheung-Leen, Co-Chairman of Fair Organising Committee Kenneth Wong, Assistant Executive Director of HKTDC Raymond Yip, Co-Chairman of Fair Organising Committee Anthony Cheung, Permanent Honorary President of Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd Dr Samson Sun, and Vice-Chairman of The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd Wong Yip Kong

The open category's three winning designers (left to right): Silcon Watch Company Ltd, Koo Wai Shan and Lit Wai Ching

Models display "The Art of Face-Changing" (left), winning design in the Open Group, and "Jian Zhi" (the art of paper-cutting), winning design in the Student Group

Models showcase the Student Group's winning designs (left to right): "Jian Zhi" (the art of paper-cutting), "Wood Only" and "Wane Rhyme"

21 August 2008 - The winning designs of the Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition were announced today and will be on display at the 27th HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair, 3-7 September. The fair will showcase over 760 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions, and Spain will be participating for the first time.

Koo Wai Shan, a designer with eight years experience, took the Open Group honours. His winning design, "the Art of Face-Changing," was inspired by the traditional Chinese masks of Sichuan opera. "I am so delighted to win this competition, which provides Hong Kong designers with an opportunity to showcase their outstanding design talent," said Mr Koo.

Runners-up in the Open Group were Lit Wai Ching and the Silicon Watch Company Ltd.

Chan Ka Yi, a student at the Hong Kong Design Institute, won the Student Group award, with its "Beauty of China" theme. "I learned how to go from a design concept to a real product by participating in this competition," said Ms Chan, whose winning design was inspired by the Chinese traditional art of paper-cutting.

Runners-up in the student group were Chan Cheung Kin, also from the Hong Kong Design Institute, and Leung Po Ki, from Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

"The fair, entering its 27th edition, has witnessed the development of Hong Kong's watch and clock industry," said Raymond Yip, Assistant Executive Director of the Hong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). "In recent years, Hong Kong's designers have attracted international buyers with their innovative design and creative use of technology."

"Brand Name Gallery will be among the fair highlights, featuring more than 120 watch brands from around the world, including o.d.m. from Hong Kong, CYRIL RATEL from Switzerland, Lafuma from France, Lotto from Italy, Jacob Jensen from the Netherlands and Angel Heart from Japan," Mr Yip added.

"Another highlight will be the Asian Watch Conference, with Scott Wilson, former Creative Design Director for Nike and Motorola, discussing global trends in timepiece design," said Anthony Cheung, Co-Chairman of the Fair Organising Committee.

Hong Kong's trade in watches and clocks has experienced strong growth, according to Kenneth Wong, Co-Chairman of the Fair Organising Committee. "Exports of Hong Kong watches and clocks in the first six months of this year totalled HK$25.9 billion, an increase of 17 per cent over last year," Mr Wong said. "Markets such as the Chinese mainland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States recorded double-digit increases."

The 27th Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and is organised by the HKTDC, the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd and the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades and Industries Ltd.

25th Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition Winners

Theme of Open Group: Oriental Fascination Theme of Student Group: Beauty of China

			Open Group: Champion Title of design: The Art of Face-Changing Designer: Koo Wai Shan Description: "Face-Changing," the winning design, was inspired by the traditional Chinese theatrical masks used in Sichuan opera. Hidden behind a glass on the watch dial are 12 Chinese opera masks; as the second hand rotates, a different mask appears every five seconds.
			Open Group: First Runner-up Title of design: Fan Designer: Lit Wai Ching Description: The idea behind this design was inspired by the Chinese fan, with the watch adopting a fan's folding elements. The watch case automatically opens when worn and closes when taken off.
			Open Group: Second Runner-up Title of design: B'an Designer: Silcon Watch Company Ltd Description: The masks used during the "face-changing" performance are one of the most attractive characteristics of Chinese opera. The wearer can change the colours of the glass above the watch dial.
			Student Group: Champion Title of design: Jian Zhi Designer: Chan Ka Yi School: Hong Kong Design Institute Description: This jewellery watch applies the Chinese traditional art of paper-cutting. It is made of two 18K gold galvanised carving cases, decorated with 45 Swarovski crystals on the bezel, crown and lugs. The paper-cutting dial in the middle allows the wearer to see the machinery movement of the watch.
			Student Group: First Runner-up Title of design: Wood Only Designer: Chan Cheung Kin School: Hong Kong Design Institute Description: The design is inspired by the joining techniques used in furniture-making.
			Student Group: Second Runner-up Title of design: Wane Rhyme Designer: Leung Po Ki School: Hong Kong Polytechnic University Description: Inspired by a poem written by Chinese poet Li-bai, the design is of a moon shape with time projecting onto the white surface. It is also a music player.

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