HKPC’s Smart Wearables, Watch and Clock Technology Centre Grand Opening Smart Manufacturing Consultancy Services and One-Stop Technical Support to Facilitate Industry Upgrading and Transformation Hong Kong’s First and Only Smart Wearables, Watch and Clock Testing and Verification Centre

(Hong Kong, 10 October 2022) To facilitate the promotion of reindustrialisation and the development of high-end advanced manufacturing in Hong Kong, and to assist the traditional watch and clock industry to seize the opportunity of upgrading and transformation, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) has upgraded the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Technology Centre to Smart Wearables, Watch and Clock Technology Centre (the Centre). On top of providing smart manufacturing consultancy services and technical support, it is also the first and only platform in Hong Kong to offer testing and verification of the prototypes of smart wearables, watch and clock simultaneously. It aims to expedite the commercialisation of high value-added wearable research and development (R&D) results, allowing the local industry to seize business opportunities and opening a new charter for Hong Kong’s smart wearables, watch and clock industry.

The Centre officially opened today at a ceremony officiated by Ms Rebecca PUN, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government; Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of HKPC; and Mr Bob CHONG, Chairman of Management Committee of the Centre. They were accompanied by Mr Mohamed BUTT, Executive Director of HKPC, and Mr Edmond LAI, Chief Digital Officer of HKPC, and well supported by industry representatives attending the ceremony as witnesses.

HKPC is a facilitator committed to driving enterprises to enhance productivity excellence with world-class advanced technology and innovative services. The Centre not only provides the industry with “one-stop” consultancy and technical training services, from comprehensive technical support on smart production lines and advanced manufacturing, new material R&D to craftsmanship and product design, but also offers over 50 different independent testing services in compliance with international & Swiss standards, including the already-accredited chronometer test for mechanical movement, as well as smart wearables testing and verification services in keeping pace with the times.

With the popularity of wearable devices, Hong Kong has become the region with the most wearable devices per capita and the highest usage rate in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years, and the market size of smart watches in China is expected to exceed RMB40 billion by 2025*. The local industry has also accelerated the pace of upgrading and transformation, and actively explored business opportunities in the Mainland and global markets for smart wearables. In view of this, HKPC has added a smart wearable testing service – smart wearable accuracy tests, to the Centre. By creating a database of limb movements through artificial intelligence and sensors, functional accuracy tests for smart wearable products, covering pedometer, heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen content, etc., are provided to respond to the needs of the market and the local industry, and to help create smart wearables solutions suitable for Asians, and move towards high value-added advanced manufacturing, ensuring the years of achievements of the industry to continue to shine.

Ms Rebecca PUN, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government, said, “The competitive advantage of Hong Kong's watch and clock manufacturing industry lies in its extensive experience in parts production and assembly, as well as strong support from the motherland and network with the global market. A variety of high quality watch accessories can also be found in Hong Kong. HKPC has always provided strong backing for the industry and has upgraded the ‘Hong Kong Watch & Clock Technology Centre’ to ‘Smart Wearables, Watch and Clock Technology Centre’ to support sustainable development of the industry in the trend of reindustrialisation. Together with innovation and transformation, Hong Kong’s watch and clock manufacturing industry can pass on its excellent reputation to the future generations.”

Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of HKPC, said, “HKPC has been the most trusted partner of Hong Kong’s business and manufacturing industries for many years, especially the watch industry. Over the years, it has provided the industry with services such as R&D, technical support, testing and verification. We also apprehend the needs of the industry and the market through consultation meetings, strategic research, etc., and help the industry to grasp the latest market trends. In recent years, wearable technology has been one of the fastest growing technology industries. The rise of smart wearables reflects the huge market demand for such products and the realisation that a single timing function is no longer satisfied. In order to enhance the competitiveness of the Hong Kong industry in the world, HKPC keeps pace with the times, closely follows market needs and provides corresponding R&D and technical support solutions. Thanks to the trust of the government and the industry as well as the hard work and dedication of our team, the Centre is successfully launched today. HKPC will continue to serve as the bridge between the government and the industry and promote the development of I&T and reindustrialisation in Hong Kong, so that the industry can maintain its advantages and open up new opportunities.”

After the opening ceremony, a technology forum on “Future and Opportunities for Smart Wearables” was held. In addition to sharing by Mr Samson SUEN, General Manager, Smart Manufacturing of HKPC, and Mr Alex CHAN, General Manager, Digital Transformation of HKPC and spokesman of HKCERT, on the development of smart wearables and the countermeasures to their cyber security, the forum also featured Mr Paul YUEN, Director, Industry Division of the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries, and Director of Dayton Industrial Company Limited who shared his experience in upgrading and transformation by using technology to integrate tradition and innovation, so that both traditional Hong Kong watch craftmanship and advanced manufacturing can co-exist; and Mr KOW Ping, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Well Being Digital Limited and a sensor expert, who spoke on how innovative technologies can make smart wearables shine in the sports, fitness and healthcare markets.

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*source: https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MzE3MTk1MjQ5

HKPC’s new "Smart Wearables, Watch and Clock Technology Centre" opened today, providing a platform to assist the industry in the R&D and testing of smart wearables, watch and clock prototypes

Ms Rebecca PUN, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government (centre); Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of HKPC (right), and Mr Bob CHONG, Chairman of the Management Committee of Smart Wearables, Watch and Clock Technology Centre (left), officiated the opening ceremony of the centre

Group photo of the officiating guests and watch and clock industry representatives at the opening ceremony

Industry leaders shared their insights on the development of smart wearables technology. (From left to right) Veteran media professional Mr Vincent WONG; Mr Samson SUEN, General Manager, Smart Manufacturing of HKPC; Mr Paul YUEN, Director, Industry Division, Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries and Director, Dayton Industrial Company Limited; Mr KOW Ping, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Well Being Digital Limited; and Mr Alex CHAN, General Manager, Digital Transformation of HKPC and spokesman of HKCERT