Watches and Wonders 2015: What the world's one percent wear on their wrists

This week, Hong Kong plays host to Watches and Wonders, an exhibition organized by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH).

Described by the event organizer and FHH Managing Director Fabienne Lupo as "a total immersion experience," the exhibition is less a trade fair and more a platform for education and culture.

Held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, the third annual Watches and Wonders features 12 fine watch maisons, 10 of which are owned by Swiss luxury group, Richemont.

Last year, the event recorded 16,000 invite-only guests over four days, despite pro-democracy Umbrella Movement protests deterring mainland Chinese tourists from visiting Hong Kong and disrupting traffic.

Without concerns of protests this year, Lupo expects more will visit, though the watch industry now faces new challenges -- staying financially sound amid China's slowing economy, anti-corruption legislation in China, and increasing interest in smartwatches. 

"Uncertain" times ahead

The Asia market remains an important one for luxury watch makers, with many having long hedged their bets on the Chinese consumer. But, according to Deloitte's Swiss Watch Industry Study, only 27% of Swiss watch executives who responded to its annual survey, expect growth in China and Hong Kong over the next twelve months, with 34% expecting demand for Swiss watches to decline.

"It's why you will see everyone in the industry here -- the presence of all the brands' CEOs, the designers, even the watchmakers -- we want to show support during this uncertain period," Lupo explains.

Beauty through bullet-proof glass

At the event, there's an aura of somberness -- well-turned out visitors wearing mostly black and white, speaking in hushed tones, sipping conservatively on champagne, and scrutinizing the timepieces on offer through thick plates of glass.

Exhibiting maisons organize personalized tours of their booths in small groups.

New features, like the addition of scannable QR codes that connect to audio tours, dot the exhibition space as a digital and Asia-facing means -- to learn more about individual watches and brands' histories. Lectures, such as "Chinese people's aesthetic approach to watches" and watchmaking workshops, are on offer.

Sourced from cnn.com