This Edition: Reshaping the High-End Luxury Landscape – When "Museum-Grade" Exhibitions Meet Collector Clubs, How Do Chinese Imperial Aesthetics and High Watchmaking Empower Brands for High Premium and Broader Appeal?

In the current context of profound reshaping of the global hard luxury consumer market, the extensive model that traditionally relied on marketing bombardments and traffic generation is no longer sustainable. How can brands break through homogenized competition, establish extremely high brand premiums, and precisely reach high-net-worth collectors with genuine purchasing power?

"Museum-level" exhibitions establish cultural authority and high-premium legitimacy for hard luxury brands, while continuous private salons and collector clubs precisely cultivate high-net-worth clients and achieve high-value conversions. Together, these two strategies form the optimal strategic path for hard luxury brands to rebuild barriers and navigate economic cycles in China and global markets.

—— Jing Daily

As an annual event successfully held four times, this year's fifth Imperial Craftsmanship Exhibition has undergone a comprehensive and significant upgrade. It features the "Forbidden City's Divine Craft" Exhibition of Chinese Imperial Aesthetics and Contemporary Craftsmanship Going Global as its core, and grandly introduces the "Horology Planet" International Creative Exhibition. We deeply integrate the rich cultural heritage and top academic resources bestowed by the "Palace Museum Cultural Sphere." Through a three-in-one empowerment system of "museum-level exhibitions + closed-door private salons + Palace Museum Cultural Sphere Art and Collection Club," we establish cultural authority and high-premium legitimacy for contemporary Chinese high-end creative craftsmanship and independent high watchmaking, building a closed commercial loop for high-value conversions.

I. Exhibition Overview and Organizational Structure

• Exhibition Period: October 23, 2026 – January 16, 2027
• Exhibition Venue: Third Floor, Building D7, National Foreign Cultural Trade Base (Beijing)
  
• Organizers: National Foreign Cultural Trade Base (Beijing),  Horological Committee of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics
• Co-organizers: Academic Committee of the China Cultural Industry Association, Palace Museum Research Group on Exemplary Qing Dynasty Imperial Craftsmanship

II. Why Exhibit? Three Core Empowerments to Break Through Hard Luxury Dilemmas

1. "Palace Museum Cultural Sphere" Authoritative Empowerment: Establishing High-Premium Legitimacy

This exhibition, relying on the deep academic foundation of the "Palace Museum Cultural Sphere" and the academic support of the Qing Dynasty Imperial Craftsmanship Research Group, places participating works directly within the historical narrative of "inheritance and contemporary development of imperial aesthetics." Through the endorsement of national-level organizers and top academic institutions, it completely transcends the low-price competition of ordinary commercial exhibitions, bestowing products with "museum-collectible" cultural status and high premium potential.

2. Collaboration with Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH): Deepening Sino-Swiss Watchmaking Cultural Exchange

As a leading authority in global high watchmaking, the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) not only presented professional thematic lectures at this special exhibition, but also introduced globally recognized high watchmaking standards and an international collector's perspective to the "Horology Planet" International Creative Exhibition. This helps local Chinese high-end creative watch brands directly connect with the international hard luxury evaluation system. Furthermore, FHH has officially invited the organizing committee to host a Chinese Culture-themed watch exhibition at the FHH Museum in 2027. This initiative will further promote Chinese local high-end creative watch brands onto the world stage, supporting brands in seamlessly implementing their global expansion strategies.

3. Palace Museum Cultural Sphere Art and Collection Club: Achieving Instant High-Value Conversion

"Museum-level" exhibitions address brand trust and cultural standing, while the Palace Museum Cultural Sphere Art and Collection Club tackles precise conversion. During the two-month exhibition period, the organizing committee will continuously host closed-door private salons, exclusive appreciation sessions, and collector's evenings, inviting family offices, private bank VIPs, collectors, and auction house experts for in-depth participation, establishing one-on-one high-end customization and transaction channels for participating inheritors and brands.

III. Space Layout and Exhibition Planning (Third Floor, Building D7)

The third floor space of Building D7 at the National Foreign Cultural Trade Base (Beijing) has been systematically divided into functional zones and circulation paths based on the artistic forms of imperial craftsmanship and high watchmaking, as well as commercial display requirements:

(I) Third Floor, Building D7: "Forbidden City's Divine Craft" Imperial Craftsmanship Art Exhibition

The third floor focuses on the contemporary revival of traditional imperial craftsmanship and the historical collision of Western clocks entering China, presenting a visual and cultural feast where "metalwork and lacquer art" and "precision machinery" shine together.

[Western Trends Eastern Advance · Evolution of Time] Historical and Cultural Zone

• • Exhibition Theme: Systematically traces the evolution from the arrival of self-striking clocks in China with Matteo Ricci at the end of the Ming Dynasty, the self-manufacture of clocks in the Qing Dynasty Imperial Workshop, to contemporary Chinese high-end creative timekeeping. It highlights how Western mechanical clocks, upon entering China, combined with indigenous imperial arts such as cloisonné, grand feu enamel, chasing, and mother-of-pearl inlay, forming a unique imperial timekeeping aesthetic.
    
  • Target Audience: Antique clock collectors, cultural and museum institutions, clock history research groups, and high watchmaking brands with historical and cultural heritage.
    

[Imperial Craftsmanship] Core Exhibition Zone

• • Exhibition Theme: A museum-level immersive exhibition showcasing masterpieces by intangible cultural heritage masters and meticulously replicated royal imperial treasures, including cloisonné, filigree inlay, chasing, grand feu enamel, mother-of-pearl lacquerware, and jade carving. It echoes the [Evolution of Time] zone, demonstrating the exquisite application of traditional craftsmanship in modern luxury objects.
    
  • Target Audience: National/provincial-level arts and crafts masters, representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, and imperial craftsmanship studios.
    

[Beyond the Palace Walls] Contemporary Design Innovation Zone

• • Exhibition Theme: Showcasing innovative cross-border works that integrate traditional imperial aesthetics, intangible cultural heritage techniques, and modern luxury lifestyles with contemporary industrial design (e.g., modern luxury objects incorporating micro-carving, chasing, and enamel painting).
    
  • Target Audience: High-end emerging independent designer brands, and luxury brands that cross-over with imperial aesthetics.
    

[Forbidden City's Divine Craft Lecture Hall] Academic and Salon Zone

• • Exhibition Theme: Equipped with a professional multimedia academic discussion space, regularly hosting lectures on Qing Dynasty imperial craftsmanship, academic forums on the history of Western clocks in China, artisan masterclasses, and private cultural salons.
    
  • Target Audience: Academic partners, invited master lecturers, and cultural study programs.
    

[Royal Collection] Private Appreciation VIP Room

• • Exhibition Theme: A high-security, highly private luxury tea and tasting space, exclusively offering one-on-one private appraisals, customized communication, and art transaction services for high-net-worth buyers.
    
  • Target Audience: Holders of high-value treasures, inheritors of high-end customization.
    

(II) Special Zone on the Third Floor of Building D7: "Horology Planet" International Creative Exhibition

The special exhibition zone on the third floor is tailored for contemporary high-end creative watches, high-complication timepieces, and mechanical kinetic art, integrating static exhibition, dynamic try-on, academic exchange, and commercial point-of-sale transactions.

[Time's Masterpiece] High Complication Zone

• • Exhibition Theme: Focuses on collectible watches featuring complex mechanisms such as tourbillons, minute repeaters, and perpetual calendars, as well as those integrating top micro-engraving techniques like enamel dials, hand-chasing, mother-of-pearl, and jade slices.
    
  • Target Audience: High-end high watchmaking brands, and watch manufacturers with high-complication movement R&D capabilities.
    

[Independent Vanguard] Independent Watchmakers' Brand Zone

• • Exhibition Theme: Provides personalized exhibition spaces for independent watchmakers and pioneering watch designers worldwide, showcasing unique mechanical aesthetics, cutting-edge conceptual expression, and limited handmade creations.
    
  • Target Audience: Domestic and international independent watchmaking studios, and innovative creative watch brands.
    

[Imperial Timekeeping] Grandfather Clocks and Kinetic Art Zone

• • Exhibition Theme: A tribute to the Palace Museum's tradition of Qing Dynasty imperial clock collections, featuring large complex mechanical grandfather clocks, automata, and artistic timekeeping devices.
    
  • Target Audience: High-end mechanical grandfather clock manufacturing workshops, and mechanical kinetic artists.
    

[Forbidden City's Divine Craft Club] Collector's Lounge and Transaction Zone

• • Exhibition Theme: Deeply operated by the Palace Museum Cultural Sphere Collector's Club, equipped with high-end beverage service and POS instant settlement system, regularly hosting collector's evenings, auction previews, and closed-door signing ceremonies.
    
  • Target Audience: High-end customer reception and private transactions for all participating brands.
    

[Maintenance Upgrade] Watch Repair and Maintenance Zone

• • Transparent Glass Workshop: Inviting experienced watch repairers/luxury watch maintenance experts to provide on-site basic inspections (time accuracy testing, water resistance testing, magnetization detection and demagnetization), case polishing and cleaning, and troubleshooting services.
  • Master On-site Demonstration: Regularly holding "Movement Disassembly and Maintenance" micro-salons, allowing watch enthusiasts and visitors to observe the complex beauty of mechanical structures up close.
    

[Personalization] Strap Exhibition and Personalized Replacement Experience Zone

• • Multi-material Strap Exhibition Wall: Displaying various high-end straps, including top-grade alligator leather, shell cordovan, traditional hand-stitched leather, stainless steel/titanium alloy bracelets, rubber, and creative custom straps incorporating intangible cultural heritage techniques (e.g., embroidery, lacquer art).
    
  • Instant On-site Replacement Service: Equipped with a quick-release strap experience station, visitors can choose their favorite strap and have it immediately replaced on their own watch or a watch purchased at the exhibition.
    
  • Personalized Customization Service: Offering choices for stitching colors, leather materials, laser engraving, and buckle styles to meet watch enthusiasts' demands for personalization and uniqueness.
    

IV. Exhibition Application and Process

This year's exhibition will adopt a "targeted invitation + limited application review system" to ensure the museum-level quality and academic rigor of the exhibits:

1. Submit Application: Exhibitors must submit their brand/inheritor resume and a proposed exhibit catalog (including manufacturing process, cultural explanation, and high-resolution photos).
   
2. Expert Review: The co-organizers and the expert committee of the organizing committee will conduct academic and craftsmanship reviews.
   
3. Booth Confirmation and Customization: Upon approval, the organizing committee will assign exclusive booths on the 3rd floor and in the special zone, and assist in customizing the exhibition plan.
   
4. Salon Scheduling: Participating brands will have priority in booking exclusive private salons and VIP collector对接会 (matching sessions) arranged by the organizing committee.
   

This is not merely an exhibition; it is a strategic expedition to reshape the global discourse on Chinese hard luxury aesthetics and high watchmaking. We sincerely invite all inheritors of imperial craftsmanship and high-end creative watch brands to join us, to co-create a legend of craftsmanship and share in a grand celebration of time!

V. Investment and Sponsorship Overview

1. Precise Reach to Top Clientele, Empowering High-End Sales Conversion
• Direct Connection with High-End Collectors and B2B Buyers: Bringing together top watch collectors, independent watchmakers, international watch distributors, jewelry and luxury buyers, and high-net-worth individuals from around the globe.
  
• Immersive High-Intent Scenarios: Through on-site try-on experiences, master workshop salons, and private appreciation dinners, brands can build deep trust with their clientele, significantly shortening the sales cycle.
  
2. Global Media Matrix, Achieving High-Exposure Brand Communication
• Support from Top International Watch Media: Collaborating with leading international watch collector forums such as WatchUSeek, WatchCrunch, and WatchForum, providing comprehensive media coverage.
  
• Cross-media Communication and Integrated Media Promotion: Combining cultural, design, luxury, and intangible cultural heritage media to create viral topics like "Watch Art × Oriental Aesthetics / Modern Design," achieving hundreds of millions of online and offline exposure.
  
3. Collision of Eastern and Western Watch Cultures, Enhancing Brand Reputation and Premium Potential
• Authoritative Platform Endorsement: Based on a global perspective, integrating traditional intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship (such as grand feu enamel, gold and silver chasing, mother-of-pearl lacquer art) with modern high-precision micro-carving technology, helping brands establish a professional image of "combining profound cultural heritage with top manufacturing craftsmanship."
  
• B2B and B2C Dual Empowerment: Not only a display stage for consumers, but also a high-end B2B matching platform for finding global channel agents, supply chain partners, and cross-disciplinary art collaborations.
  

Exhibitor Booth Standards and Fees:

Sponsorship System and Fees: