The third Shanghai International Watch Festival was held from Dec 5 to 7 at Zhangyuan's W13 building, offering visitors an immersive way to view, learn about, and appreciate fine timepieces. It was also the first major event hosted after the expansion of the Zhangyuan Dedicated Bonded Warehouse.

This year's festival brought together leading global brands, independent watchmaking pioneers, rising Chinese creators, and skilled local craftsmen. The choice of Zhangyuan as the venue carried symbolic meaning, marking both the festival's return after six years and the first time the historic W13 building was opened to the public.

One of the event's key innovations was the use of a smart customs-supervision model. The system allowed European luxury brands to display rare, high-value watches in bonded status, simplifying procedures and reducing costs. As a result, visitors were able to see exceptional pieces that are usually kept in secure archives and rarely travel overseas.

International names, including Armin Strom, Arnold & Son, De Bethune, F.P. Journe, and Ulysse Nardin, displayed signature works that blend advanced craftsmanship with traditional design. Chinese watchmaking also took the spotlight. Local brands such as Behrens and TIMETHIS presented their latest creations, while independent watchmakers Logan Kuan Rao and Qin Gan attended in person to share their work, underscoring the growing momentum of China's homegrown watchmaking community.

The festival featured a range of interactive programs as well. Visitors could join expert talks by Chronos magazine editor Ding Zhixiang and watch collector Zhang Shusheng, and take part in forums, workshops, and master discussions. These sessions offered engaging ways to explore the art of watchmaking and understand the appeal of the craft.

Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Jing'an Media Center at "jaxwzx"