2026 H1 Canton Fair Watch Zone: Craftsmanship & Smart Innovation
The 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), a top global trade event in the first half of 2026, kicked off grandly at Guangzhou Pazhou Complex from April to May. Key details about the watch zone are as follows:
1. Basic Information of the Watch Zone
The watch zone was held in the second phase (April 23-27) of the Canton Fair, as part of the watches and glasses exhibition area. It has become a core focus of the global watch industry, gathering numerous well-known brands and suppliers to showcase their latest products and technological innovations.
2. Core Industry Trends Showcased
This year’s watch zone fully reflects the industry’s new trends of “tradition + intelligence + sustainability”:
- Traditional Mechanical Watches: Many well-known international watch brands and domestic leading enterprises displayed exquisitely crafted new products. Domestic brands focusing on independent movement R&D continuously enhance the core competitiveness of Chinese watch manufacturing.
- Smart Watches: The smart watch segment gained great popularity among global buyers, with products featuring health monitoring, ecological connection and personalized customization, in line with the global wearable device market trend.
3. Participant Scale and Business Achievements
As of April 27, the second phase of the fair had welcomed 245,000 overseas buyers from 219 countries and regions, including top retailers such as Target and Tesco, with 344 leading enterprises participating in groups. Exhibitors reported a significant increase in in-depth negotiations and on-site orders, sending a positive signal for the global watch market’s recovery. Long-term exhibitors (with over 20 years of participation) stated the fair is an irreplaceable platform for acquiring high-quality clients and expanding global markets.
4. Focus on Sustainability and Digital Integration
Consistent with the 139th Canton Fair’s overall trend (green products account for 22% of all exhibits), sustainability is a key focus of the watch zone:
- Exhibitors widely use eco-friendly materials (bio-based ceramics, recycled stainless steel) and modular designs to enhance product recyclability, catering to global green consumption demand.
- Digital Technology Integration: Many brands displayed watches with smart functions that seamlessly connect to daily life, balancing practicality and aesthetics.
5. Significance for the Watch Industry
For watch enterprises, the 2026 H1 Canton Fair is not only a display platform but also a window to grasp industry trends. It bridges traditional craftsmanship and modern technology, connects Chinese watch suppliers with global buyers, and injects strong momentum into the high-quality development of the global watch industry. The cooperation opportunities nurtured here will continue to promote the industry’s innovation and development worldwide.